Kirthi Chilukuri: The Story Of The World's Largest Miyawaki Forest
Kirthi Chilukuri
Founder & Managing Director
"We have created the world's biggest man-made forest through our latest project. The 60-acre project contains 18 acres of forest cultivated using the Miyawaki"
Lend your ears to Sriram, who has documented 1,013 (out of 1,350) bird species in India. He says, “In three days, I saw more than 50 species of birds—Tickell’s blue flycatchers, barn owls, red-collared pigeons, and barreds. In addition to resident birds like Buttonquails, I saw winter visitors like pink stars and less white throats. Mind you, this is only the start of bird-watching season. We can expect to see much more.” Being on a genuine mission to bring homeowners to the lap of nature and build them a home that ages well alongside them, the duo created a Miyawaki forest over the more common fancy landscaping in their venture, which aimed to create a society where people lived and developed together amidst nature. Within four years, the Kawaguda forest is already home to over four lakh trees. I recently got in touch with Kirthi Chilukuri, and he was happy to share Stone Craft's latest endeavors with us. A visionary leader extremely passionate about nature and sustainability, Kirthi Chilukuri possesses nearly two decades of experience in the real estate industry, having kick-started his professional journey as a realtor. Below is an excerpt from our exclusive interview with him.
How has been the journey so far? Tell us about the inspiration behind the establishment of Stone Craft Group.
Right after graduation, I started my professional career as a realtor. I sold real estate ventures of established players in the market for about three years. But something that immediately struck me was one of the most conventional practices in the industry— promising the world but ultimately finding ways around those promises to deliver the projects. It never settled in with me. That feeling led me to the thought of getting into real estate development and eventually establishing Stone Craft as a real estate development company.
In a nutshell, my professional journey has been a dynamic exploration across various industries, fueled by a passion for sustainable business practices.
Stone Craft Group emerged from the vision to shape a new era of sustainable living, blending urban luxury with nature. The inspiration stemmed from a commitment to provide not just infrastructure but an improved lifestyle, fostering a deep connection to nature. We create homes that age well alongside the homeowners.
Share with us your academic experience from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. What did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
I did my engineering between 2002 and 2006. My academic journey at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University provided a solid foundation for my professional vision and career. Beyond academics, the campus taught me the importance of holistic learning. It instilled qualities of perseverance, adapt ability, and the ability to approach challenges innovatively — skills that have proven invaluable in my entrepreneurial endeavors.
Define Stone Craft Group as an organization and its position in the market.
We have created our own niche in the market with unique, sustainable practices that are closer to nature. We are on a genuine mission to make living closer to nature. Our projects are built in the lap of serene nature, self-sustaining, oxygen-positive, and carbon dioxide-negative. For instance, we have created the world's biggest man-made forest through our latest project. The 60-acre project contains 18 acres of forest cultivated using the Miyawaki method, which is one of the most effective tree-planting methods for quickly creating forest cover on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction. It became a significant milestone in our journey.
Today, Stone Craft Group is dedicated to crafting innovative, nature-friendly homes and making sustainability a way of life. In the market, we stand as pioneers in biophilic infrastructure, integrating natural ecosystems into modern urban living. Our unique position is marked by a strategic focus on sustainability and making positive contributions to the world. Unlike any of our competitors, we strive to create fulfilling living experiences centered around environment-friendly design techniques, materials, and technologies in all our projects. In Telangana, we hold a 2 percent market share, with aspirations for global expansion.
As the Founder & Managing Director, what factors do you consider when developing effective corporate growth strategies?
Effective corporate growth strategies are rooted in innovation, scalability, and understanding market dynamics. We identify emerging trends, leverage our diverse portfolio, and ensure every strategy aligns with our commitment to providing enriching living experiences. Pivoting towards high efficiency, self-sustaining biophilic infrastructure has majorly propelled our growth as a company.
How have you built the team, and how do you train the team to deliver a seamless customer experience for every project you undertake?
Share with us your academic experience from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. What did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
I did my engineering between 2002 and 2006. My academic journey at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University provided a solid foundation for my professional vision and career. Beyond academics, the campus taught me the importance of holistic learning. It instilled qualities of perseverance, adapt ability, and the ability to approach challenges innovatively — skills that have proven invaluable in my entrepreneurial endeavors.
We identify emerging trends, leverage our diverse portfolio, & ensure every strategy aligns with our commitment to providing enriching living experiences
Define Stone Craft Group as an organization and its position in the market.
We have created our own niche in the market with unique, sustainable practices that are closer to nature. We are on a genuine mission to make living closer to nature. Our projects are built in the lap of serene nature, self-sustaining, oxygen-positive, and carbon dioxide-negative. For instance, we have created the world's biggest man-made forest through our latest project. The 60-acre project contains 18 acres of forest cultivated using the Miyawaki method, which is one of the most effective tree-planting methods for quickly creating forest cover on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction. It became a significant milestone in our journey.
Today, Stone Craft Group is dedicated to crafting innovative, nature-friendly homes and making sustainability a way of life. In the market, we stand as pioneers in biophilic infrastructure, integrating natural ecosystems into modern urban living. Our unique position is marked by a strategic focus on sustainability and making positive contributions to the world. Unlike any of our competitors, we strive to create fulfilling living experiences centered around environment-friendly design techniques, materials, and technologies in all our projects. In Telangana, we hold a 2 percent market share, with aspirations for global expansion.
As the Founder & Managing Director, what factors do you consider when developing effective corporate growth strategies?
Effective corporate growth strategies are rooted in innovation, scalability, and understanding market dynamics. We identify emerging trends, leverage our diverse portfolio, and ensure every strategy aligns with our commitment to providing enriching living experiences. Pivoting towards high efficiency, self-sustaining biophilic infrastructure has majorly propelled our growth as a company.
How have you built the team, and how do you train the team to deliver a seamless customer experience for every project you undertake?
Building a high-performance team involves selecting individuals who align with our values and vision. If they are experienced, they must unlearn the ages-old conventions in the industry, embrace our philosophy, and learn this sustainable way of doing things. They have to understand what we are doing and, most importantly, why we are doing this.
Beyond technical skills, we seek candidates with a passion for sustainability, adaptability to a dynamic work environment, and a commitment to innovation. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are equally crucial. We believe in nurturing a workforce that shares our values and contributes to our mission of crafting sustainable living spaces.
We prioritize training that fosters a deep understanding of our commitment to sustain ability. A seamless customer experience is achieved through a customer-centric approach, ensuring our team shares our passion for delivering projects that go beyond expectations.
What role does technology play in maintaining a competitive edge in the market?
We stay on the technological forefront by integrating cutting-edge solutions into our projects. From smart home technologies to sustainable design, our emphasis on innovation positions Stone Craft Group as a leader in the market. We foster technology with an aim to build effective processes to help us achieve our goals with minimum chance of error.
This not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to the unique value proposition we offer.
How do you perceive the market going forward, and what is your future roadmap?
Despite challenges, I am optimistic about the market. The increasing awareness and demand for sustainable living present significant opportunities. Stone Craft Group is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Our future destination involves global expansion, catering to emerging markets, and addressing the increasing demand for sustainable realty. We plan on expanding what we did in Hyderabad—building a forest out of nothing to other Indian cities as well. We envision Stone Craft Group as a global leader in biophilic infrastructure, setting new standards for sustainable living worldwide.
In light of your strong professional experience, what would be your advice to budding industry leaders while accessing new opportunities?
My advice to budding industry leaders is to stay true to your values, embrace innovation, and constantly adapt to change. Identify opportunities in challenges, build a team that shares your passion, and always prioritize sustainability. In a world of constant evolution, the ability to learn and innovate will be your greatest asset.
Kirthi Chilukuri, Founder & Managing Director, Stone Craft Group
A visionary leader extremely passionate about nature and sustainability, Kirthi possesses nearly two decades of experience in the real estate industry, having kick-started his professional journey as a realtor.
Beyond technical skills, we seek candidates with a passion for sustainability, adaptability to a dynamic work environment, and a commitment to innovation. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are equally crucial. We believe in nurturing a workforce that shares our values and contributes to our mission of crafting sustainable living spaces.
We prioritize training that fosters a deep understanding of our commitment to sustain ability. A seamless customer experience is achieved through a customer-centric approach, ensuring our team shares our passion for delivering projects that go beyond expectations.
What role does technology play in maintaining a competitive edge in the market?
We stay on the technological forefront by integrating cutting-edge solutions into our projects. From smart home technologies to sustainable design, our emphasis on innovation positions Stone Craft Group as a leader in the market. We foster technology with an aim to build effective processes to help us achieve our goals with minimum chance of error.
This not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to the unique value proposition we offer.
How do you perceive the market going forward, and what is your future roadmap?
Despite challenges, I am optimistic about the market. The increasing awareness and demand for sustainable living present significant opportunities. Stone Craft Group is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Our future destination involves global expansion, catering to emerging markets, and addressing the increasing demand for sustainable realty. We plan on expanding what we did in Hyderabad—building a forest out of nothing to other Indian cities as well. We envision Stone Craft Group as a global leader in biophilic infrastructure, setting new standards for sustainable living worldwide.
In light of your strong professional experience, what would be your advice to budding industry leaders while accessing new opportunities?
My advice to budding industry leaders is to stay true to your values, embrace innovation, and constantly adapt to change. Identify opportunities in challenges, build a team that shares your passion, and always prioritize sustainability. In a world of constant evolution, the ability to learn and innovate will be your greatest asset.
Kirthi Chilukuri, Founder & Managing Director, Stone Craft Group
A visionary leader extremely passionate about nature and sustainability, Kirthi possesses nearly two decades of experience in the real estate industry, having kick-started his professional journey as a realtor.