Marico Eco-Campus Project: Advancing Water Sustainability and School-Based Environmental Stewardship

The Marico Eco-Campus Project has made significant progress in strengthening water sustainability and environmental awareness across schools and communities. Rooftop rainwater harvesting systems have been successfully completed at 80 sites, enhancing groundwater recharge and promoting responsible water management. Water audits were conducted in 7 schools to assess water consumption patterns and identify areas for conservation, while 6 water literacy sessions were organized to build awareness among students on the importance of water conservation and sustainable usage.

In addition to water-focused interventions, kitchen gardens were established in 10 schools, encouraging ecological learning, nutrition awareness, and hands-on environmental engagement among students. Greywater treatment systems were also completed in 9 schools, enabling the reuse of wastewater for gardening and other non-potable purposes, thereby reducing water wastage and promoting circular water practices.

At the community level, a comprehensive borewell inventory covering 200 borewells was completed in the Bahour region to support better water resource planning. Water level monitoring is being carried out in 23 open wells in Pooranankuppam to track groundwater trends and support informed decision-making. Simultaneously, water sample collection and testing are in progress to ensure water quality and safety. Regular monitoring of open well water levels continues across the project locations.

To strengthen long-term awareness and engagement, display boards on rainwater harvesting have been installed in schools, and consistent follow-ups are being conducted for the maintenance of kitchen gardens. Overall, the project reflects a holistic approach that integrates water conservation, environmental education, and sustainable school ecosystems.