SARA (Sustainable Alternatives for Rural Accord)

SARA Centre organised an Eco Walk programme that covered a 90 km stretch, involving around 10,000 school children from 60 schools and the local community through 40 local organisations. The walk spanned 50 villages and towns and aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues in the Western Ghats region.

SARA Centre is a part of the SWA-GRAMA community development programme, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's 'Village Swaraj' initiative, which aims to revive the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of four villages in the Hosanagara taluka region of Karnataka. Through a range of initiatives promoting sustainable living practices and the revival of art, craft, and other economic resources.

In partnership with Secure Giving Institution, SARA Centre organised an artist residency workshop at its premises. The workshop aimed to bring together traditional and modern artists from across India to share their art-making process and interact with local school children. 18 artists and one guest artist participated in the workshop, which was witnessed by numerous local audiences.

The Western Ghats, a vital biodiversity hotspot, are facing ecological imbalances due to deforestation, declining water retention, and the breakdown of traditional water management systems. Borewells have replaced lakes as the primary water source, leading to groundwater depletion and increased vulnerability for farming communities.

Reviving traditional lake ecosystems is essential, as they recharge groundwater, regulate local climates, and support biodiversity. The SARA Centre’s lake restoration efforts have led to significant improvements in water security and community well-being in the Shivamogga district.

Looking ahead, enhanced agricultural production and the integration of aquatic culture into these restored lakes can improve local livelihoods while reducing pressure on fragile forests. Promoting water literacy and ecological awareness will foster long-term community stewardship. This project aims to restore balance, resilience, and hope to a stressed landscape.

Living Roots, Lasting Futures: Learning from Our Local Ecology
At the SARA Centre, our Local Ecology Module is designed to connect students and community members to the living roots of our ecosystem—soils, rocks, water, forests, biodiversity, and the cultural knowledge interwoven with them. These lessons, unique to our region, are often missing from standard education yet are vital to understanding how to care for and sustain our environment.
In partnership with the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), we host immersive experiences where students explore regenerated forests, traditional seed banks, endemic plant nurseries, and sustainable water systems. They return to their schools with practical insights to energise their eco-clubs and inspire their peers.
At a time when rural communities face the lure of urban migration, this program nurtures place-based knowledge, pride, and stewardship—empowering the next generation to protect and sustain the lifelines that secure our collective future.