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IIM Kozhikode Runs on Rainwater The building team marked the contour lines of the hills and retained some of the older gullies that acted as storm-water drains. (They were formed as a result of run-off.) A few drains were constructed afresh. From the top area, upto a distance, the canals were lined with cement. However, the major problem area was still below. Here, deep gullies were formed earlier. Brushwood dams were erected at regular intervals. On both sides of the drain, a grass variety such as cynodon was planted. After a year, though the dams have almost washed off, the vegetative growth has established. This cuts the velocity of water to some extent. In many other areas, the slopes were prone to erosion. An altogether new idea was tried to stabilise this. Use of coconut geo-textiles (GT) supplied by the Coir Board. A geo-textile is a woven fabric capable of passing water but able to hold back soil. It looks like a thick mat and is of the colour of wood. After preparing the land surface, the GT was spread over the land. Seeds of Congo-signal grass were either broadcast or were dibbled through the GT. Today, you don't see any traces of the textile anywhere. But the grass remains as a thick vegetative cover. (In a couple of seasons, the GT decays and mixes with soil. By that time, grass covers the area thickly. No soil is put over the geo-textile (GT) when it is initially spread.) The IIM K is situated in conditions that call for exhaustive erosion control measures to make water conservation meaningful. If more and more soil gets deposited in the catchment, it would reduce percolation, pose more problems and call for recurring work. As a result of all these efforts, the soil erosion is controlled very effectively. But there is a recurring problem. The Congo-signal grass isn't drought resistant. It has to be irrigated once in a fortnight in summer. To avoid any fire accident, it is pruned and the cuttings are used for mulching. The capacity of the water pond is 30,000 cubic meters. (This is 30 million litres; one cubic meter is 1,000 litres.) The whole system cost the institute 80 lakh rupees. Except this capital cost, other expenditures are not considerable. Construction cost of gutters, since it is done along with other works, is not additional. (10 lakh = 1 million) Contributed by - |
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