27th June 2015: My Well, Our Water : An interactive workshop to share progress, learnings and challenges

by June 23, 2015 Environment

This write up has been compiled from emails received from Shubha Ramachandran of BIOME

Over the past one year, ACWADAM, BIOME, WIPRO and MAPUNITY have been working on a project to map the AQUIFERS in the area around Sarjapura Road (8 MicroWatersheds spread across 33 sqkm in South East Bangalore which is completely dependent on ground water). They have also worked to see if they can revive and protect the 15 lakes in the watershed. People from the area have shared stories and data of their wells, borewells and STPs. 

The approach to gather, share and interpret data has been participatory, involving varied stakeholders like borewell diggers, tanker operators, Citizen Groups, Government Agencies etc. Rather than approaching the problem in a conventionally scientific manner, the approach is unconventional but participatory. This is why the group calls itself the “Participatory Aquifer Mapping Team”.

One year is a good time to see what sense all the gathered data and information makes when it is brought together. Do we have a clearer understanding?  Does it tell us something new and useful for all of us?  What challenges have we faced and how do we get better at doing this in the coming years? How do we create better mechanisms for all to participate?

The team feels that the results are encouraging, and will be sharing its methodology, learnings and interpretation of the aquifer in a workshop that will be held on Saturday, 27th June 2015. Feedback will be sought and plans for the years to come will be made. 

The details of the workshop are as below:
Date: Saturday, 27th June 2015
Time: 9:30am to 1:30pm, followed by lunch (Detailed schedule here)
Venue: Learning Center, WIPRO Corporate Campus, Sarjapura Road, Bangalore (Google map here)
How to register: Visitors passes will have to be made to allow for entry. Please send an email with “27th June 2015: My Well, Our Water” as the subject line, to <shubha@biome-solutions.com> with your Full Name, Organisation/RWA that you represent and Contact phone number if you would like to attend this workshop. Please carry a Government photo id proof to the venue as this will be required to allow for entry. 
 
Here are some details shared by the team, to give participants a background to the workshop.
 
Please call Shubha on 9845184281 for any clarifications.
 
Sections:

About Arathi Manay Yajaman

Arathi is a market researcher who loves to run and write. She has been actively involved in issues that affect citizens, including apartment management, waste management and lakes. She used to live in Mumbai and is now based in Bengaluru, working as a Community Anchor with Citizen Matters.
Read more by Arathi Manay Yajaman

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Flooded lands, disappearing birds: Pallikaranai wetland tour highlights impact of shrinking lakes

by November 8, 2024 Environment
A vital wetland, Pallikaranai has shrunk drastically due to urbanisation, threatening biodiversity and vulnerable communities in Chennai.

Many of us who have lived in Chennai for years have probably crossed Pallikaranai Marshland at least once. Yet, we often overlook that we are passing through an area that was once ecologically rich and a haven for diverse species. But the marshland, one of the few coastal aquatic habitats in India to qualify as a wetland, is now just a shadow of its former self. Unchecked encroachments and rampant urbanisation have drastically reduced the catchment area of Pallikaranai Marsh. With the Northeast monsoon bringing rains to Chennai, residents are increasingly concerned about flooding. Experts point out that rejuvenating the…

Continue reading

Similar Story

Garudachar palya: The “hot spot” in Whitefield’s IT Hub

by , , , , and October 30, 2024 Environment
Examining the heat island effect in densely built-up Garudachar Palya ward in Whitefield’s IT Hub, which also has limited tree cover.

Garudachar Palya is part of Mahadevapura constituency, with an area of 6.5 sq km, which includes four revenue villages — Garudachar Palya, Hoodi, Seegehalli, and Nallurahalli. These villages have stayed mostly the same, while the city has expanded around them with more organised development from the BDA. This mismatch has led to issues like narrow village lanes becoming crowded with traffic, as they’re now used as shortcuts to bypass main roads. Looking at population growth, between 2011 and 2024, the ward has seen an estimated increase of 62.24%. This rapid growth adds to the existing strain on infrastructure. Ward no…

Continue reading