SARA Centre’s Community Action Program: Western Ghats Eco Walk 2017
Date: June 5 – 10, 2017
Route: Jog Falls to Shivamogga, Karnataka, India (157 km)
The Western Ghats Eco Walk 2017, organized by SARA Centre, was a transformative journey spanning 157 km from Jog Falls to Shivamogga in Karnataka, India. From June 5 to 10, 2017, this remarkable walk weaved through 40 villages and towns, uniting approximately 25,000 schoolchildren from 85 schools and the local community.
Initiated under the collective banner of Ghattadatta Ditta Hejje, the Eco Walk drew inspiration from the historical Save the Western Ghats Movement (SWGM) of 1987. SWGM, a pioneering environmental activism event in India, set the stage for similar campaigns nationwide.
Ghattadatta Ditta Hejje: A Common Umbrella for Community Action
The Eco Walk was part of Ghattadatta Ditta Hejje’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness within communities, leveraging the power of the arts as a communication tool. Spearheaded by individuals primarily from creative backgrounds such as theatre, literature, and plastic arts, the six-day march was preceded by over six months of on-ground preparation.
A Fusion of Arts and Activism
More than a mere walk, the Eco Walk was a convergence of creativity and environmental consciousness. Over 300 art posters specially made for this event by global artists adorned the route, each addressing ecological themes. Film projections and expert talks on environmental issues were conducted in schools and local organizations, engaging the community in meaningful conversations.
Community Engagement: Beyond Borders
The Eco Walk wasn’t just a physical journey but a cultural exchange. Fifteen artists participated in on-the-spot graffiti sessions, captivating school children and the wider community. The march resonated with music, fostering a spirit of unity and awareness.
Building on Legacy
The Western Ghats Eco Walk 2017 follows in the footsteps of the Save the Western Ghats Movement, honouring its legacy. This event stands as a testament to the enduring commitment of communities to environmental causes, embodying the spirit of change through collective action.
Click here to view the
stickers gallery, which was part of the Eco Walk.
Here are some excerpts from the Eco Walk:
Day 1, 5th June 2017
Day 2, 6th June 2017
Day 3, 7th June 2017
Day 4, 8th June 2017
Day 5, 9th June 2017
Day 6, 10th June 2017
Organisation & Collaborations
The program was a collaboration between the SARA Centre and the following:
K V Subbanna Ranga Samooha Theatre Group
- Mr Sripad Bagawat Kiru Honnesara
- Mr Prasanna Hunsekoppa
- Mr Yesu Prakash Hegoddu
- Mrs Shylaja Prakash
- Mr Gurumoorthy Varadamoola
- Mr Ganapati Hegde Nanditale
Nada Chawadi Theatre Group
- Yesu Prakash Heggodu
Swan Man Environmental Organization
- Akhilesh Chippli
Mr Chandrashekar Chitrasiri Sirivante
Mr Parisara Nagaraj, Asst. Professor, Environmental Scientist, Shivamogga
Mr Shekhar Gowler, Convenor, Bhumikasum, Shivamogga
Exhibition design and display support:
- Santanu Dey
- Abhinav Yagnik
- Himanshu Desai
- Arunkumar H G
Curatorial, web and communications advice:
- Himanshu Desai
Operational support:
Dhanush – coordination SARA Centre
- Kumar H G – managerial support
- Darshan H S – technical support
- Prashant P Hirale – technical support
- Raju M Kallukoppa
- Rajpal Singh – materials and displays support
- Satish Shetty – transportation
Volunteering & Participation
All participants exceeded expectations as they volunteered to make this event a success.
SARA Centre’s permanent volunteers (Green Ambassadors) coordinated student engagement:
- Vishwanath Patil
- Somshekhar
- Sumukha B
- Renuka Santosh
- Baby Melsirsi
- Akshata
- Dasharatha
- Pavana
- Shraddha
- Monisha
- Shravya
- Navya
- Divya
- Mohith
- Navami
- Rajath
- Sunil
- Abhishek
- Sandesh
- Sharaj
- Sharath K L
- Pooja K L
- Soumya K L
- Shruthi K H
- Shivani K G
- Subramanya
- Naman
- Nisarga
- Deepa
- Gayatri
- Bhuvaneshwari
Various artists joined the Eco Walk as volunteers and supporters:
- Abhinav Yagnik
- Santanu Dey
- Payal Rajput
- Shubham Solanki
- Madhav Vyas
- Parikshit Pisal
- Sahana Ramprakash
- Balagopalan
- Sai Swaroop
- Somu Desai
- Mrugen Rathor
- Kathleen Wyma
- Imran Liyakat Ali Khan
- Veer Munshi
- Ravinder Reddy
- Himanshu Desai
- Gagan Goudar
- Krishnachari
- Minti & Karan
- Ramya
- Navin S
- Mohan
- Chaitanya Rukumpur
- Padamchitt Saxena
Additional Support
- Arts4All
- Ravinder Reddy
- Shobha Broota
- Pooja Iranna
- Sakshi Broota
- Global Nomadic Art Project India Chapter by Somu Desai
Special thanks to:
- Ramachandra Shirali
- Pandurang Hegde
- Prakash Bhatt
- Shivajirav Kaganikar
- Dr Patanjali
- Janardhan
- Na deSouza
- Chakrawaka Subramanya
- Dr Mallikarjuna Murugarajendra Swami
- Dr M. Ganesh
- Huvayya Gowdru
- Shripathi
SARA CENTRE 