The Shimoga district is also known as the ‘Gateway to Malnad’ (‘Malenaada Hebbagilu’ in Kannada)
Population – 1,755,512 (2011 Census)
Geography – lies between the latitudes 13°27′ and 14°39′ N and between the longitudes 74°38′ and 76°04′ E at a mean altitude of 640 metres above sea level
Geology: Soils: red gravelly clay soil, red clay soil, lateritic gravelly clay soil, lateritic clay soil, medium deep black soil, non-saline and saline alluvial-colluvial soil, and brown forest soil. Minerals: limestone, white quartz, kaolin, kyanite, and manganese.
The economy is primarily agrarian, with foundries, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Crops include rice, areca nut, cotton, maize, oil seeds, cashew nuts, pepper, chilli, ginger, paddy, ragi, vanilla, and jatropha.
Industries – agriculture, iron, automobiles, engineering, carpentry, blacksmith, leather, pottery, beekeeping, stone cutting, handlooms, agarbatti, and sandalwood carving.
Education – Literacy rate of 80.2%. 1106 lower primary schools; 1185 higher primary schools; 116 pre-university colleges; 12 colleges.
The school student population in Shimoga is approximately 2,57,000 students. The expected footfall at the SARA Centre is approximately 200 a day (or approximately 73,000 a year).
Site
SARA Centre’s unique position within the rural landscape of the Western Ghats in Karnataka is a privilege, offering a multifaceted role in informational endeavours and community engagement. This region, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and by environmentalists as a biodiversity hotspot, provides invaluable insights into the effects of global warming and climate change. As an eco-sensitive zone with some case studies, SARA Centre is a privileged observatory for monitoring environmental shifts.
SARA Centre, harmoniously nestled amidst the lush landscapes of small farming households, is a testament to balance and sustainability. Its infrastructure is carefully designed to accommodate a variety of activities, including a nursery, a seed bank, artistic exhibitions, informational workshops, residencies, and studio spaces.
Over the past few years, a united front has tirelessly worked to breathe new life into the once-depleted forests around the Centre. Hundreds of indigenous plant species have been painstakingly cultivated and catalogued, representing a shared dedication to rejuvenating the natural ecosystem. This shared commitment, nurtured by SARA Centre, motivates and propels the conservation mission, instilling a sense of community and collective responsibility.
People
SARA Centre
Founder Director: Arunkumar H G
Inclusion Specialist: Rama Chari
Operations: Dhanush Kumar, Kumar H G, Shivakumar D S
Advisory
Resource Advisors:
Sri Shankar Sharma (Well Known Power Analyst and Environmentalist)
Dr Ratnakara Kunugodu, HOD, Kannada Section Govt College Ripponpete
Ms Pratima, Assistant professor Kodachadri college Hosanagara
Parisara Nagraj (Academic and an environmentalist)
Programme Advisor: Dr Kathleen Wyma (Arts writer, Curator and Academic)
Advisors and Associates: Members of the K V Subbanna Ranga Samooha Theatre Group and Nada Chavadi Theatre Group: Yesu Prakash Heggodu, (Theatre) Prasanna Hunasekoppa, ( Theatre) Shreepad Bhagavath, Chikkahonnesara, (Theatre). Gurumoorthy Varadamoola, (Theatre) Dr M. Ganesh ( Theatre)
Honorary Advisors: Chidambar Rao Jambe ( Noted theatre personality)
SARA Trust
President: Gurupadappa H C
Managing Trustee: Arun Kumar H G
Secretary: Suresh Patil R
Treasurer: Yesuprakash
Members:
Mr Yesu Prakash, Heggodu (Theatre).
Mr Sripada Bhagavat, Chikka Honnesara (Theatre).
Ms Bhagirathi, Heggodu (Theatre).
Mr Channaveerappa Gowda H N, Hirale (Farmer).
Mr Santosh Kumar S, Siddapura (Ex-servicemen and Farmer).
Mr Suresh K B, Kanale (Farmer).
SARA CENTRE 