Nestled in the serene landscapes between the two district headquarters of Tuensang and Longleng the Eden Resource Center (ERC) stands as a beautiful place to call home and a space for community engagement. This multifaceted Center has become a cornerstone for various events.
In an interview with Nagaland Tribune, founder Rev. Achu Chang shared the journey of Eden Resource Center which started in November 2022 with the first event taking place In November 2023 with very basic facilities and infrastructure.
“Going back to the year 2018, the year I took up the office as the Executive Secretary, one of my first area of focus was ‘making our people economically self reliant.’ My foremost area of intervention among the farmers was in coffee plantation. I got the opportunity to invest in a small portion of the current ERC as a demo farm to encourage farmers. When the villagers heard that I have taken the land, the neighboring owners also offered to sell their lands to me. One thing led to another and I ended up buying from few different people,” says Rev. Chang.
Rev. Achu Chang and his wife had always dreamed of creating a campsite similar to the ones they visited with their youth group in Pune. From their experience, they realized that the impact of Bible teachings, worship songs, and group activities had a deeper impact when conducted in a camp setting rather than within a building.
“So as we stood there looking at the big lump of space with nothing but wild trees, weeds and lots of rocky slopes, we saw our dream taking shape. Along with farming, within a year, we were able to build the hall, the kitchen, dormitories, all very basic but still it was something!! God time and again showed His affirmation by providing from unexpected sources,” he expresses.
Nagaland Tribune: What has been the motivation and aim behind ERC?
Rev. Achu Chang: Our foremost aim is that many young people will have a personal encounter with Lord Jesus Christ at this very space as they come for camps and retreats. We also envision that this space serve as a model for many Agri and allied initiatives. I am also motivated to make this space a place for fun, adventure and relaxation for family, friends and institutions.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
NT: What is the biggest challenge you have encountered in the project?
Rev. Achu Chang: Monitoring the project as per my desire is the biggest challenge. With my priority and responsibility towards the Association, I can’t commit as much time as I want to towards the ERC’s progress. Yet with God’s help and also with few right people who continue to work with me, I could manage to complete some portion of my dream for ERC.
NT: Any specific elements of the guest experience have you prioritized such as sustainability or cultural immersion?
Rev. Achu Chang: Though the space itself is small, we have tried to integrate few other things here. We have planted varieties of fruit trees and have already started harvesting from few like the red lady papayas and bananas. This year we have also set aside a portion of the space for ginger plantation and hopefully will harvest few thousand kgs this winter. Bee keeping and honey harvesting is another area of focus. A fish hatchery is in the process which will benefit a good number of fish farmers in the district and beyond. Poultry and piggery initiated in a very small scale for now but plan to scale up. A mini coffee processing unit powered by clean energy being installed will create interest in the hearts of visitors. We have also set up a Morung built by a group of excellent artisans of our community. I would like our guest to take back at least one area of intervention they can replicate in their own available land with God given resources.
NT: How does the resort maintain its uniqueness in a crowded hospitality. What are the core values and principles of guiding the ERC?
Rev. Achu Chang: First of all, ERC was never started with the intention of doing business or making profit. Therefore the pressure of competing with other hospitality sector is never there. However, we do strive to the make the experience of our guests as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Located in the middle of jungle, getting safe drinking water, 24 hours electricity, swimming pool, bathroom attached rooms, spacious dorms, kitchen with all the basic facilities, a hall for meetings with sound system…all these could be considered a luxury. The scenery around is amazing which itself is a treat for nature lovers.
NT: What is your long term vision for this Resource Centre?
Rev. Achu Chang: To make this Resource Centre fully sustainable and also instill the idea of sustainability in the minds of people who visit. There will be more people who will learn the effectiveness and reality on clean energy since the whole resource center is run by solar energy as the primary source of electricity. I also envision that many more lives be transformed through spiritual camps, seminars and trainings.
NT: What kind of message or encouragement do you want to convey to the people about ERC?
Rev. Achu Chang: ERC is a place for retreat. You can bring your family, colleagues, friends or church group for a day of retreat or for few days of camping too. There is ample of space and lots of activity to do as a family and as groups. It is a unique place to understand the importance of clean energy. It is a place for you to experience nature, creativity and oneness with our Creator.
