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Campaigns
At various intervals and for specific purposes, svaraj has organized many campaigns to amplify the voice of marginalized communities. These campaigns have influenced public policies such as Natural Resource Management, state water policy, agriculture, solid waste management policy etc. We invite you to join us in these movements. Your support is crucial to bring about social change in the lives of communities, especially the marginalised.
Save Arkavathi Campaign
The Arkavathi River, is a tributary of the River Cauvery, originating at Nandi Hills. It flows through the rural and urban districts of Bangalore for about 190 kms. The river basin has 150 large and 1084 small tanks which perserve rain water for the use of communities living in the region. In the past, these tanks provided 135 million litres per day or about 20 per cent of the drinking water requirements to the city of Bangalore.
A recent padyathra (walk along the 190 km) of the river revealed the overexploitation and abuse of river’s local natural resources. Activities such as sand mining, quarrying, waste disposal, industrial sewage and agricultural effluent (pesticide run off from agriculture entering the water bodies) has lead to severe depletion and degradation of water and land resources, Not only the accessibility and availability of potable water for the citizens but alsofood security remains a growing threat as agriculture dwindles. Safe water and food are essential to protect and improve the health of people and our environment.
- 1.5 million children in India die each year from water borne diseases
- India has higher levels of malnourished children than Sub-Saharan Africa
- 46 percent of children under the age of three are undernourished
SVARAJ activities result in a comprehensive understanding of the conditions of riverside as well as the importance of reducing further abuse of the river. What is in need now is to spread the awareness; each one of us has the responsibility to ensure the protection of this vital river by action.
Old News Paper collection campaign - The Old Newspaper Collection has helped Oxfam India in the past (SVARAJ in future) to build a strong support base in Bangalore in a short time. Not only has it brought in funds, but alos it has been calling for public awareness of helping eradicate poverty and inequity. This campaign is also being pro-actively replicated in Chennai.
UTTAR PRADESH
Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF)
As part of its mission to encourage collective civic action in ensuring a clean environment, SVARAJ, has been supporting the Swatcha Ganga Abhiyaan (Clean Ganga Campaign) since 2005 Swatcha Ganga Abhiyaan is a intervention initiated in 2001 by Sankat Mochan Foundation - a small but influential charity in Varanasi working to clean up the River Ganga.
The objectives of this project wereTo raise public awareness in India and globally - to cleanse the world's most important river. To promote the concept of collective civic action.
