Chavara Cultural Centre has played a key role in establishing a sustainable living culture by successfully implementing resilient agricultural practices and by inculcating best waste management practices
Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI is the President of Karikkamuri Residents Association, Kochi in Kerala, and it is at this locality Chavara Cultural Centre is ideally positioned. The area is thickly populated and in the midst of the city with 600 odd residents as well as 200 odd business / commercial establishments.
Spread across 5 acres, the prime land that nestles the Prior General House of CMI congregations, Chavara Hills at Kakkanad, Kochi is a modern day example of self-sustainable living in the lap of Nature. Equipped to provide year-round agricultural produce for the needs of the residents at the monastery, Chavara Hills also upholds environmental practices that conserve nature resources and preserve the land’s fauna. Chavara Cultural Centre is fully geared to be at the forefront in ensuring access to fresh, pesticide-free nutritious food to the future generation.
INITIATIVES TAKEN
1. “Waste Management” is one of the major challenges impacting sustainable living. In our neighbourhood we introduced sustainable waste management practices by recycling the food waste in one’s own premises to create manure, door-to-door collection of other wastes and awareness programs for the better self sustainability.
2. “Safe Habitat” another initiative of ours, with the support of Police and local bodies we are working on making the residential area a safe and better place to live.
3. Ensured over 50% greenery in the construction of buildings under the Chavara group of institutions.
INITIATIVES TAKEN
4. Implemented Sewage Treatment Plants, Rainwater Harvesting, Solar Power System and energy-efficient features at all buildings.
5. Promoted sustainable agriculture on 5 acres of land at Chavara Hills
6. Encouraged pesticide-free, organic food production through terrace roof-top farming at all buildings under the Chavara group of institutions
7. Initiated planting of Rare Herbs & Spices Garden at Chavara group of institutions
8. Introduced recycling and zero food wastage initiatives across communities