This write up has been compiled from emails received from Shubha Ramachandran of BIOME
Over the past one year, ACWADAM, BIOME, WIPRO and MAPUNITY have been working on a project to map the AQUIFERS in the area around Sarjapura Road (8 MicroWatersheds spread across 33 sqkm in South East Bangalore which is completely dependent on ground water). They have also worked to see if they can revive and protect the 15 lakes in the watershed. People from the area have shared stories and data of their wells, borewells and STPs.
The approach to gather, share and interpret data has been participatory, involving varied stakeholders like borewell diggers, tanker operators, Citizen Groups, Government Agencies etc. Rather than approaching the problem in a conventionally scientific manner, the approach is unconventional but participatory. This is why the group calls itself the “Participatory Aquifer Mapping Team”.
One year is a good time to see what sense all the gathered data and information makes when it is brought together. Do we have a clearer understanding? Does it tell us something new and useful for all of us? What challenges have we faced and how do we get better at doing this in the coming years? How do we create better mechanisms for all to participate?
The team feels that the results are encouraging, and will be sharing its methodology, learnings and interpretation of the aquifer in a workshop that will be held on Saturday, 27th June 2015. Feedback will be sought and plans for the years to come will be made.
The details of the workshop are as below:
Date: Saturday, 27th June 2015
Time: 9:30am to 1:30pm, followed by lunch (Detailed schedule here)
How to register: Visitors passes will have to be made to allow for entry. Please send an email with “27th June 2015: My Well, Our Water” as the subject line, to <shubha@biome-solutions.com> with your Full Name, Organisation/RWA that you represent and Contact phone number if you would like to attend this workshop. Please carry a Government photo id proof to the venue as this will be required to allow for entry.
Here are some details shared by the team, to give participants a background to the workshop.
Arathi is a market researcher who loves to run and write. She has been actively involved in issues that affect citizens, including apartment management, waste management and lakes. She used to live in Mumbai and is now based in Bengaluru, working as a Community Anchor with Citizen Matters.
