In a search to gratify her restless soul, Severine came across Indian music, which eventually landed her in Udaipur few years back; however finally, Severine discovered more treasures in the city of lakes, than her passion for music.

39-year-old French national, Severine decisively dedicated herself for – “how to flourish the human race by bringing in the common responsiveness for nature”. Hence, she joined hands with local group Banyan Roots and started working on Permaculture.

Permaculture is an integrated design philosophy that encompasses gardening, architecture, horticulture, ecology, even money management and community design. The basic approach is to create sustainable systems that provide for its inhabitants’ needs and recycle their waste.

Severine, in association with banyan roots is all set to start the urban farm consultancy and will be suggesting people how to develop kitchen and roof top vegetable gardens. As of now, Severine has conducted workshops in several schools in Udaipur and teaching basic farming methodology to children.

Hail from Nesles LA-Vallee, situated in Northern France, Severine loves music, specially the Sufi music by the renowned Pakistani musician Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. “Before coming to India, I didn’t know much about the country, although I was sure that it holds lots of affluence hidden beneath this land”, says Severine.

First it was about discovering music, then the enthusiasm transformed into learning Sarangi and at last the beginning of voyage of permaculture started in Udaipur to seek new ends of life.

Severine said, “Udaipur has some magical effects, I can’t get tired of its amazing scenery, sunset points, and views. It’s very easy to get lost in this amazing city, in many ways, just walking around one of its 5 lakes, or trying to track up a hill. Everything looks nearby and easy, but the city is full of mysteries and surprises behind the ‘maya’ tourist screen”.

While sharing her perspective on permaculture, Severine says, “It is based on scientific principles and research. But it seems to me that it also draws on traditional and indigenous folk wisdom”. “It is absolutely inspiring to see how people of Udaipur are closely connected with nature from very essential level,” she added.

Illustrating her connection with Banyan Roots, Severine said, “Banyan Roots is a very inspiring initiative to me. Its’ an institution in many ways, it’s bridging the gap between rural and urban lives, in a world that is changing fast. It is a social, cultural, economic and most of all an environmental project. It deals with our basic needs: food, health and relationships”.

Severine believes that Green Revolution is, in literal sense, a war against land; in those times it was the need of society, as the people were suffering from starvation, but in today’s scenario it is not so. “In Udaipur people should focus on water and waste management and also to process free sources of energy”, she believes.

Masters in English literature and History, Severine worked in IT sector before starting to teach animation and film making, but something from her inside was not fulfilled; finally, the actual expedition of life began with the mission to conserve nature.