Awareness On Water Conservation And Terrace Gardening Back

Organic Farming and Water Conservation is a hot topic everywhere but a practical and feasible solution is hard to get.  At this crucial juncture the Cultural Committee of our parish took a unique initiative of inviting Mark Sera and his team to give a demonstration on this subject.

The team spearheaded by Mark Sera – a Home guard by profession since the last 18 years  took time off to conduct  this demonstration along with Reinu Pais – Civil Structural consultant specializing in Water & Energy conservation, Ronald D’souza ( Aakrathi) who creates models for demonstation, AlwynQuadros  who handles the logistics for the team. They have organized several seminars to students and conservation enthusiastics.

Reinu gave a presentation on water conservation methods through out the world and how they can be adopted locally in an economic way.  On display was a very simple water filter for Rain Water harvesting which could be made  at home for less than Rs. 500/-  using PVC pipe fittings, conventional filtration materials like pebbles, sand, coconut shell, charcoal where with slight modification rain water  from the terrace could be stored in underground water sumps available in most houses.  With this simple filtration system rain water could be harvested &  used easily  for 4 to 5 months in a year. Also on display was the  filtration system for ground water recharge system to wells and ponds.  The working of ahome equipment to convert 5 to 6 kg home waste into gas was also explained.

Mark Sera’ s Terrace gardening was well appreciated by the participants  where he explained how he has converted his 75 cents land into paddy farm in the heart of the city, Water filtration system and practical use of water recharge system at his home was a great motivator to adopt it.  His simple way of growing vegetable plants using waste plastic cups and how to transfer them to  polythene / plastic bags to grow vegetables on terrace was mindblowing.  What caught the attention of every one gathered was that he got a crop of Rs. 5000/- to 6000/- per month from his practical & simple methods.  

Thanks to Mark Sera and his team - all the 200 people who gathered can now have their own organic kitchen terrace garden.  The programme started with thanksgiving to almighty by Fr Peter Dsouza our Parish Priest and welcome address by Edward Coelho, Secretary Parish council. Mr Ronald Pinto thanked the gathering.