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.

It leads the Lake Rejuvenation Programme to revive ten crucial lakes in four villages of Hosanagara taluka. The project aims to restore the ecology and help the rural economy. By enhancing water storage capacity and desilting, lakes can provide water throughout the year, recharge groundwater, and retain soil moisture. This can improve farm output, animal husbandry, fishery, and heal the ecology of the region.

SARA Centre conducted a five-day workshop on Art and Social Responsibility. The workshop covered woodcut printmaking, theatre, environment, and leadership skills. Participants were encouraged by experts in various fields, including artists, writers, and social activists. The workshop aimed to benefit local youth and school teachers and promote social responsibility through art.

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.