KFDC offers ‘work from forests’ at Gavi, Suryanelli in Keralam

Forget the home office, the crowded cafe and the endless search for a quiet corner to work from. Kerala’s forests are offering remote workers a new workplace, equipped with high-speed Internet and backed by mountain views and enough birdsong to make the daily work routine feel like an escape.

The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) has launched a workation programme at Gavi in Pathanamthitta and Suryanelli in Idukki, allowing professionals to combine work with nature watching.

The concept was proposed by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John, who suggested adapting successful workation models from elsewhere in the country for Keralam. The KFDC opted for a low-impact approach, renovating existing forest rooms rather than constructing new facilities.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan formally launched the project on Wednesday (Septermber 20, 2026).

Bookings open

The KFDC has started accepting bookings on its website. The response has already been encouraging. “Following interest generated at events like the Travel Mart in Kochi, the facility is already drawing inquiries, including interest from creative professionals and film teams. We are also eyeing corporate teams that often send employees on workations during assignments,” says Raju K. Francis, managing director, KFDC.

Connectivity was the biggest challenge while designing the project. Providing reliable Internet in a protected forest without laying kilometres of optical fibre cable called for an alternative solution. BSNL engineers established an aerial link from Sabarimala to Gavi, delivering speeds of around 100 Mbps at Gavi and up to 500 Mbps at Suryanelli. Backup generators provide added assurance for those attending meetings or handling large files remotely.

The rooms come with extra power outlets and dedicated discussion areas, while outdoor routers allow guests to work from verandas or lawn tents. Meals, unlimited tea and fresh local coffee are included.

When the workday ends, guests can choose from guided nature walks, boating, birdwatching and wildlife trails.

Gavi is an ecotourism destination deep inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta, centred around a lake and surrounded by evergreen forests. Suryanelli, near Munnar, offers a high-altitude setting amid tea plantations and expansive views.

The three-night, four-day package costs ₹14,000 a room, plus applicable taxes, or about ₹7,000 per person. Gavi has four duplex rooms that can accommodate up to eight guests, while Suryanelli has three rooms which can accommodate up to six.