Possible land exchange in AuroOrchard

A concerned resident of AuroOrchard recently reported having heard “that up to 7 acres of prime roadside land of AuroOrchard were going to be exchanged with 9 acres in the city, to consolidate lands in the Master Plan area”. The land that has been earmarked for exchange was one of the few lands blessed by the Mother, who tasked AuroOrchard with growing food for Auroville. AuroOrchard is Auroville’s oldest, and one of the most productive farms. It was purchased by the Mother in 1965. Gérard, who was given the care of it by the Mother in 1969, has lived there and looked after the land for the last 53 years as the steward. Apparently, he was neither officially informed nor consulted about the proposed exchange.