Even as the school bell rang, Madhura and her friends studying in class nine were not in a hurry to go home. They were busy watching rainwater harvesting structures at the school campus. Development journalist Shivananda Kalave was explaining the relevance of various structures in Malenada Male Kendra (Malnad Rain Centre), Kengre to the students of Neernahalli School 8 km away from Sirsi. Neernalli School is the heart of Rain Centre, which was launched last month.

The school, which is the heart of the Malnad Rain Centre, has a unique way of educating children since its inception 40 years back. Almost all the children studying here come from a farming background and are hence given ample opportunities to participate in farming activities. The school maintains cash crops and fruit trees spread over 14 acres, which is a source of income for the school and gives students an opportunity to learn the equations of life.

Every week, children look forward to their turn to work in the coconut farm, arecanut garden, mango or sapota orchard. Garcinia indica (cocum) and acacia have also been planted, considering their future prospects. They understand the secrets of soil for three periods every week. Students grow along with plants here.
No wonder, development journalist Shivananda Kalave, who has been working towards creating water awareness in Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts thought Neernahalli School to be an ideal platform for the setting up of a rain centre. Incidentally, he studied in the same school and now happens to be its management committee member. Kalave, who travels frequently to make presentations on water harvesting felt the need for models to transform interest into action. The school management readily agreed to the proposal with all possible support.

Structures
The plan was ready by the end of 2006 and in eight months more than 25 rainwater harvesting structures that are suitable for Malnad region have been constructed in the school premises. They include gully plugs, trenches, roof water harvesting models, borewell recharging, farm pond, a huge tank to store rainwater and percolation pits. Tippy tap, an innovative valve which reduces the use of water, attracts most children. A demonstration under the title 'taps that drink water' explains how selection of a good quality tap can stop water leakage. A poster behind the taps says that if a drop leaks in one second then in one day, we would lose 15,000 litres of water.

Rain gauge is another instrument that helps students estimate the day's rainfall. In Neernahalli region where the rainfall is 1800 mm to 2000 mm, one acre of land gets 80 lakh litres of rainwater. Interconnected percolation pits in the forest near the school slow down the running water.

H M Hegde, who is a board member says, “Before these structures were formed, 70 lakh litres of water would run down to the sea from one acre of land. Now soil absorbs half the rainwater.”

A borewell that supplies water to the farm is getting recharged. At every step, there is some effort to save water and pass on the concern in the school. President of the Rain Centre, Neernahalli Sitharam Hegde says, “With this our students will get exposure to two major aspects of environment - soil and water. Everyday they have some lesson or the other to take home. Lessons of soil and water conservation. We have chosen the method of creating awareness among parents through their children.” Education system in this school sensitises children towards environment.

As headmaster Kishore M Netrakar says, “These activities help students to understand their base. Once they graduate, most of them move to cities. Since we strengthen their roots, the scent of the soil remains with them.” Learning the base of farming has not hindered their academic progress. Last year, the pass percentage of tenth standard students was about 73 per cent.

Ganesh, an 8th standard student, says, “Initially, we used to wonder what these structures were all about. Now we can relate the decreasing water level to its exploitation.”

Posters displayed on the school walls explain reasons for water scarcity and present possible solutions. Observing them has helped children like Ganesh to understand the equation of rainwater. He is planning to bring his parents to the school which, he thinks, might help them solve their water problem.
Similarly, Sumana who walks 4 km from her home in Balegadde to school, has started observing the path of water. This monsoon would be different for the students here. Along with regular schooling, they are taking home lessons of nature.

Community effort
Rain Centre is a private effort by like-minded persons to spread awareness on water and forest. Madhyamika Shikshana Samithi which manages the Neernahalli School has donated the space. Canara MP Anantha Kumar Hegde has supported the cause by providing Rs 2 lakh from the MP fund. Zilla  and Taluk Panchayats, Forest and Horticulture Departments have encouraged the endeavour.

Shivananda Kalave feels that this is just the beginning of an effort. Success of the Rain Centre depends on how it is utilised. Institutions like Zilla  and Gram Panchayats, Village Forest Committee, youth and farmers’ associations have been conducting exposure visits on soil and water conservation.

According to a guestimation, at least 100 persons participate in such exposure visits every week. But Malnad doesn't have a place where all the models relevant to the region are present. Locals hope that Malnad Rain Centre, Kengre would fill the gap.

For details, contact Shivananda Kalave: 94480 - 23715