Karnataka

India is the world's largest consumer of groundwater where it is extensively used for irrigation. However, there is a considerable waste of this valuable resource. While a part of this waste can be attributed to a lack of incentive for conservation, unmetered electricity supply contributes greatly to this problem. This has led to the formation of what is being termed an energy-irrigation nexus.

Several sessions at the IWMI-Tata Annual Partners' Meet in 2012 discussed this phenomenon, its causes, impact and possible management strategies. 

Venue

A visit to Oddoor farms near Mangalore, Karnataka, provides an inspiring example of the efforts made by Rajesh Naik ji to transform 120 acres of barren land into a lush green farm through his persistent efforts of creating a two acre and fifty feet deep lake, which has not only transformed the surrounding area, but has also helped in improving the water table in the surrounding village, besides helping in the development of a self sufficient organic farm and a dairy.

Oddoor farms, around 25 kilometres away from Mangalore city is a great example of a very successful effort made by Rajesh Naik ji who has transformed 120 acres of barren land into a self sufficient organic farm by developing a 50 feet lake on two acres of land.  The journey has been a long one and not without its share of challenges, but persistence and constant optimism and hard work to overcome challenges has reaped results in the last twenty years, informs Rajesh Naik ji.

Rajesh Naik ji near the lake he has developed at the Oddoor farms near Mangalore

Budget 2013: Highlights from the water sector

Imagine there's no water
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to cook or clean with
And no flushing too!
Imagine all the people
Living life in vain

Venue

Offered by

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

About ATREE

ATREE is an environmental research organization that focuses on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It is based in Bangalore and recognized as a PhD research centre by Manipal University. ATREE’s interdisciplinary doctoral programme is perhaps the only one in the country with faculty from across relevant natural and social science disciplines.

About the Fellowships

ATREE invites applications for admission to its Doctoral Research Programme for the academic year starting August 2013.

Applications are invited from highly motivated students with a Master’s degree in any branch of the social, natural, or engineering sciences. Students will undergo intensive course work and will be expected to undertake independent research on any environmental topic under a multi-disciplinary dissertation committee.

Students are expected to join the programme full-time and 5-year fellowships will be provided for maximum of 10 students. Fellowships range from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 18,000 per month.