“Water gets a prominent place in God’s creation. No humans, fauna, flora, birds, insects – in fact, no life can exist without water. Man must conserve such an elixir of life.  Soak pits, contour bunds, check dams, using bio-cover on earth and spreading organic matter on soil, afforestation, avoiding over grazing by the cattle etc. can help the water to percolate into the ground” said the resource person Rev. Dr Ronald Cutinha, the Director of Samanvaya during the training in Watershed Management on 19-8-2007 at Brahmarakootlu Jilla Panchanyath School.

“Water Conservation is a social responsibility. No source of clean water must be polluted.  If chemicals or industrial effluents get mixed with water, we cannot purify it and we shall be losing this precious source of life.  This planet of ours has only 2.80 % of clean, potable water and we have the responsibility of conserving it.  Using water sparingly, not letting dirty water contaminate tanks, wells, streams and rivers are some of the ways of developing water resources. When we harden the soil for the construction of houses, complexes, roads it loses its capacity to absorb water. Therefore, attention must be paid to the percolation of water when these activities are taken up.”  he said.  The slides showing the preparation of soak pits, collection of roof water, construction of bunds, vent dams and of different models of rainwater harvesting helped the participants understand water conservation methods fully. The eminent personalities who have carved a niche for the water literacy campaigns and issues, such as Magsaysay award winner Dr Rajendra Singh of Rajastan, Dr Rain Water (Mekito Morepho) of Japan, Agriculturist Mr Shyamji Antala of Gujarath and Shri Padre of Kasaragod District were cited during the programme.

The Programme was jointly organized by Tarikita Kala Kammata, Jyothigudde; Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, Thumbe; and Meredian College, Mangalore. Meredian College students Murugesh welcomed, Karthik proposed vote of thanks and Raghavendra compeered. Mrs Vani Periodi, Mrs Sunitha Nayak, Mrs Pushpa Shetty and Ms. Karuna Devadiga were present on the dais. There were 105 participants.