ACTIVITY REPORT (1998-1999)

Adventure and study tours to the Uttara Kannada forests was conducted for the students of St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, Bangalore , during April 98. A field trip was organised by the centre to the ecologically rich and sensitive areas of the WEstern Ghats, one of the Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Similarly, another programme (May 98) was conducted for the youth and students living in the surrounding villages of the centre who were exposed to adventure activities such as outdoor camping, wildlife studies, trekking and the like.

Workshop and training programme on Water Resource Management was carried out for select community members in July '98, that focused on traditional, simple and efficient techniques of conserving water such as Integrated Rainwater Harvesting, Direct & Indirect Groundwater Recharge & other methods. A film on the subject was also screened, followed by interactions between participants and subject experts.

A play titled “Only a green memory”, written by Mr. Suresh Heblikar, was staged at Ravindra Kalakshetra by Eco-Watch, which attracted audience from various backgrounds. The play focused on the need for each individual to be environmentally conscious and how every individual could do their bit in preserving our environment. The play was staged in December ‘98, which was appreciated and well covered by press & media.

A training programme was conducted for the members and volunteers of Eco-Watch, in the month of March 99 on eco development, rainwater harvesting and water management.