Members of the International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation have questioned the indiscriminate exchange of Auroville’s outlying lands. Three of the five-member council, Dena Merriam, Gabi Gillessen and Michel Danino, in their letter to the Chairman of the Governing Board, Shri R.N. Ravi, on 30th September 2024, referred to their deep concern on the matter of land exchanges expressed by them in the joint meeting with him on 31st May and stressed that the financial and “spiritual damage” to Auroville could become irreversible if the current direction continued.
They referred to Shri R.N. Ravi’s assurance that he valued their counsel and invited them to send their observations and alternative proposals on the matter of land exchanges. Their letter stated, referring to a data sheet prepared by experts in Auroville land matters based on conservative values, that the recent land exchanges have resulted in a loss of at least Rs. 170 crores (20 million US dollars) for the 30 acres exchanged. The members are of the view that each case needs to be considered based on historical, agricultural, developmental, and environmental factors and urged the Chairman not to proceed with further land exchanges until they, the IAC members, have had a chance to hold a thorough discussion not only with the Governing Board Members and Foundation Administration but also concerned section of Auroville residents. They stated this could be best achieved in late January 2025, when the IAC members would be physically present in Auroville and help bring a solution satisfactory to all concerned. They have informed the Chairman that they have a precise, fair, and transparent protocol that, post finalisation after inputs from all concerned, could offer a way forward for future land exchanges.
