The State of Karnataka suffers from drought. Karnataka, India has the second largest area prone to drought next only to Rajasthan. Many habitations do not have access to adequate standards of water. Nearly 40% of the habitat reportedly receives either low quality or quantity water. The position of citizens in towns and cities is no better with more than 190 towns out of 208 reporting inadequate supplies. Surface water sources and ground water resources are under the twin threats of depletion and contamination. Though the problem is almost global, most answers to sustainable water management lies in local action. Solutions come from the enlightened individual and proactive community participation in efficient water resource management.

A CLT Story...

The CLT maxim - "It takes a child to raise a village" - is demonstrated through a suite of projects that the youth have created based on the needs and issues concerning their own community and environment. For instance, the Rainwater Harvesting Project in Jakkur ! Here, the youth identify the problem of water scarcity in their community and set out on a baseline survey to analyze the gravity of the problem. They collect samples of water used in homes and from lakes to test them at the centre with the microscope. A discussion on possible solutions ensues and leads to a visit to the Rainwater Club. The youth document their findings and use it to set up a functional model of the Rainwater Harvesting unit. They share and display their work in the village community, generating awareness, sparking interests of the village women. The result being replication of models at the village houses with volunteers installing them on weekends. The entire process elevates the youth from being a passive observer to an active solution-provider for the community. They become agents of change in their community! This initiative became a catalyst in CLT setting up RWH systems for many families, where the urban corporate youth partner with the village community.