SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School visited Rural and Watershed Technology centre of SEVAI supported by OFI.

Students visit Dasilnaikanor  watershed Replica

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School Senior Students those learn Watershed as part of their study visited Watershed Technology centre in Sirugamani promoted by SEVAI with the support of OFI on 27^th February commuting by School bus supported by Hirzel Foundation. The subject teachers and Principal of the School accompanied the students. The students visited the Watershed replica and tree plantation and Tree Nursery growing process. The students are made to understand how the rain water is harvested through watershed, the students noted the locations of the watershed, functions of contour bunds, gully plugs, check dams and tree plantation, water recharge structures and plantation and Agriculture operations designed in the Watershed Technology Model.  The

Students note Importance of watershed tree plantation 

Technology centre expert enlightened the students that there are two watersheds are being implemented by SEVAI. This watershed replica of DasilNiackanoor watershed is a demo for the watershed learning. The Watershed expert added, “Water is essential for life to survive on earth. A watershed is the land through which all water flows as it enters a body of water. Watershed is a natural hydrologic entity that encompasses a 'specific area' stretch of land surface where from rainfall or run off flows to a 'specific defined drain. Watersheds have land that is at higher elevations and moves downhill from higher land to lower land. When rain falls, water moves through the watershed by either being absorbed into the ground or traveling on top of it. As water is absorbed underground, it becomes groundwater and can move through the rocks and minerals below the surface. Humans, plants, and animals all need water to survive, and

Students visit Tree Nursery and watershed model

watersheds are the source of all the water we use. Whether it's traveling underground or on the surface, humans use the water in a watershed for: drinking, washing, powering hydroelectric power plants, growing crops, and literally anything that uses water. Watershed education helps us to know the role of water in our collective future. The

Understanding of Watershed concept 

study of watersheds, rivers, lakes, and their ecological offers students opportunities to be aware of the importance of water, for ecological health, and development. Students who know where their water comes from and how watersheds are impacted by human and natural activities can become more engaged community members, better environmental stewards, and investigative witnesses within their local and global environments”. The watershed management experts narrated the importance tree Plantation as an integral part of watershed project as   as trees are important as they improve the life and fulfil essential

needs of mankind. The expert added, “Trees beautify our surroundings, purify our air, act as sound barriers, manufacture precious oxygen, and help us save energy through their cooling shade in summer and their wind reduction in winter. Tree Plantation drives combat many environmental issues like deforestation, erosion of soil, global warming and hence enhancing the beauty and balance of the environment”. The School Principal Ms.Chitra said that this exposure to watershed technology centre and tree nursery raising projects is very useful for the students of the school and she thanked SEVAI, OFI, for giving such an opportunity for students and school.-Govin