While we see many who love nature, embrace it, and shift to nature, a Mumbai-based couple shifted to the hills near a village 142 km from Pune and converted barren land into a pristine forest and built a cabin there to live peacefully.
These two are none other than Armeen Jasavala and Firoz Bharucha. While Armeen is originally from Toronto, Canada, she has lived in India for over 12 years. She is a qualified homeopathic practitioner and content creator, and Firoz is a lawyer.
Every weekend, this couple escapes to their forest retreat, nestled among towering trees and accompanied by their dogs. Far from just a getaway, it’s their sacred time to unwind, reconnect with nature, and rejuvenate their spirits away from the hustle of city life.
The couple started their journey of working on a barren hill near Roha during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and achieved a significant green sanctuary in 2025.
They have built a small wooden cabin on the top and planted over 700 native trees on the property, with the hopes of making their own forest, which now has crossed over 25 ft in height. The transformation videos posted by them on Instagram speak for themselves.
COVID-19 impact
The duo is not a singular example. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people began to rethink their lifestyle and living spaces. With work-from-home becoming common and cities feeling crowded and stressful, a wave of people started moving to quieter, nature-filled areas. Some chose to build second homes or retreats in the hills, countryside, or near forests. These places offered peace, fresh air, and a better connection with nature.
Others began making their own spaces greener with houseplants and started their plant journey at home, creating mini jungles indoors for peace and comfort.
