LOOKING FOR WATER SOLUTIONS IN A DRY BAGALKOT, NOT FAR FROM GOA
In a dry South Indian region where the annual rainfall is around half-a-metre a year, officials believe that water-awareness can play a big role, even if the rain gods don't oblige. And they're marching to find a solution.
Bagalkot district in north Karnataka state, South India, with an annual average rainfall of 547 mm has been reeling under drought in the last three years. It is located almost adjacent to Goa. Reports from the area put the loss of agricultural crop to run to crores of rupees. Bagalkit's district administration had to spend Rs 50 to 60 lakhs to provide drinking water through tankers to 80 villages for a two-month stretch. To create awareness about water among people, the district administration has now opened up a 'rain centre', at Malenadu, which builds awareness about how every drop of water saved can make a difference. This information clearing house-cum-training centre cost Rs 8 lakhs. Now, with the south-west monsoon has stepped in, the district administration is preparing itself for a 10-day, 100-villages 'jalajatha', or procession for water awareness. "This jalajatha is first of its kind in the state in its preparation, coverage and planning, "North Kerala-based journalist Shree Padre who takes an active interest in researching water conservation initiatives in the region, told IANS. Padre is involved with various initiatives including the farm-based journalism initiative www.farmedia.org and www.rainwaterharvesting.org which works, as its name suggests, for rainwater harvesting. He urges those suffering from water shortages, "Rain is a gift from the sky; deposit it in the earthen bank!" Mysore-based Niranthara Foundation, a group of multi-talented artists, will give a 10-day training to 60 selected drama artists in folk songs, street-plays and skits on rainwater. New songs and plays are being written expressely for the purpose. This training was launched on June 6, with a two-day slide-show session on water conservation and rainwater harvesting, mainly from western and southern India. Two local farmers who have successfully drought-proofed their lands by traditional methods and could reap some yield even in the last three drought years also shared their experiences. But it's not going to be a question of preaching alone. The troupe will have first hand experience in Rainwater Harvesting by digging a farm-pond, assembling a roof-water harvesting system and constructing a contour bund at the Morarji Desai residential school, where the training is underway. Schoolchildren will also help in creating rain-water harvesting structures. This 'water procession' will commence from June 16 and the first leg will end on June 25. Plans are for the troupe of 60 to split into five groups. Each group will visit two villages in a day. Their agenda includes planting trees, interaction with farmers, collection of info about rain-water harvesting enthusiasts who can volunteer, documentation of traditional rainwater harvesting and soil-and-water conservation methods, street plays, skits and songs on rain. Local farmers and experienced elders will also be requested to partake in these programmes. Officials will look at a second leg of the procession, after reviewing feedback from the first. For further details: DC Bagalkot, [EMAIL PROTECTED], Phone: (08354) 235 091; Sudhakar Cholachgud, [EMAIL PROTECTED], Ph: 98458 21400
