Water
As we are in a drought area undergoing a serious desertification process (concerning rainfalls the Anantapur district is the second last in total India…) our main ambition is to save water. On the other hand we are arranging reforestation – growing up more than 2000 trees – and need water desperately. Now - in 2016 - we have to buy water regularly to get our trees watered; we need six trips/day (15.000 l). As we have a tractor we can arrange that; but we are dependent on the provision of power... (The electricity for farmers is cheap, but the timings are limited). That is the reason why we cannot always get enough water.
The topic "water" is a very important one in pedagogy as well. From time to time Nature Days will be arranged about this topic.
- We are also ready for Rain water harvesting - we built a rain water harvesting pit beside the administration building. As the roof is very huge a lot of water might be collected if there is rain. But the monsoon in this area has been deficient within the last years - that's why we did not yet arrange half pipes for collecting the rain water...
- Contour bonding was done in May 2012 as a perma culture means to prevent the rainwater running off from our sloping area. The pits of approximately 400 m length with a depth of 50 cm will store the rain water enabling the trees planted beside to take it with their roots (see also video: http://vimeo.com/63959828)..
- Our three bore wells do not provide sufficient water (for watering the plants, for construction purpose and for bathrooms needs and drinking water).
- Drip irrigation as a well known method to save water was arranged in April 2013. Continuously our more than 2000 trees and other plants use to receive water drop wise being supplied with the precious element all the time. But since 2015 we cannot use this method of watering any more because the water pressure is not sufficient...The plants will be watered with the help of our tractor .
Contour bonding in May 2012
Waste water recycling for the toilet and bathroom water is done; an arrangement of pits filled with stones, coal and sand leading the recycled waste water into a pond. The water will be used for watering the trees.