Sullia: Schools are the place that teaches us values in life and to value things in life.

The drought-like situation that is lingering over Dakshina Kannada district has certainly taught us that water is of great value, but unfortunately, this lesson lives with us only till the first rain. When the rivers are full and the taps have running water, the lesson learnt during this summer is soon forgotten.

However, in a bid to teach the kids to value water, not just during the dry seasons, but throughout their lives Vidyabodhini High School in Balila here has ventured into rainwater harvesting.

The argument of the school is that if the students are involved in such activities at an early age, it will have long lasting impact on them.

With hands-on experience in school, these kids may grow up to be responsible citizens, valuing water and taking steps to conserve it.

The school is located about 5 kms on Bellare-Subramanya road.

As one enters the school, the first writing on the wall reads: ‘A drop of water is invaluable’.

The school has a beautiful garden where several plants and trees have been grown. The ornamental plants have been beautifully laid out in various shapes, thereby helping little children identity triangles, squares, pentagon, hexagon etc.

However, with host of aspects that would leave eyebrows raised, one thing that is evident is the emphasis that the school lays on rainwater harvesting and water conservation.

The school administration says that since the rainwater has been flowing into the sea, without being absorbed into the earth, the underground water table is under threat. It is necessary that the rainfall is absorbed so that there is underground water table rejuvenation.

Putting this point across to the students, the school’s tryst with water conservation began.

The rain water is purified and directed into the sumps through pipes from the ceiling of the school. With several temporary sumps in front of the school, the kids have been practically seeing for themselves as to how the little bit that they have been doing is contributing to improve the ground water level in the region.

The school started the programme in 2002. According to the sources from the school, there are four sumps in which 10,000 to 12,000 litres approximately can be filled to the brim. About 7000 to 8000 litres is the minimum quantity the sumps hold usually.

Each and every plant on the school campus is watered using harvested water.

The kids say that they are very excited to see the water collection process. “We feel accountable to what is happening and we also feel proud that we are contributing a bit from our side to conserve water,” says a high school student here.

All in all, if each and every school emulates the model, then drought will only be an unheard and unseen catastrophe.