Of all the things I love at Aanandaa, my favourite moment is when it rains and the water starts flowing through the farm. One such moment happened on the evening of 10th September 2018, when I was busy getting some trees trimmed, others cut and a few relocated. It started raining quite heavily, and I was caught under a tree for cover. When the rains got heavier, I had to make a dash for the cow shed. In the process, I got completely drenched. Luckily, my phone stayed dry, and lived to record all these moments!
The beauty of this moment is, that it happens with a lag. Once the rains subside, the water starts flowing, allowing you to record it without fear of getting the equipment wet. This is because the water comes down Morni hills and takes some time to get here. As it flows into our farm, it follows the path laid out for it through the channels we built. This meandering path slows down the water, allowing the soil to soak it in before it makes it's way to the pond for storage. The pebbles in the channel, the plantation on it's edges and the meandering path it was designed to take, all play out just as imagined in design phase.
See this video below, to get a glimpse of the same.
The trees, bamboos and grasses lining the path of the water ensures that the soil does not erode, and the water gets filtered on its way to the pond. It's been 6 years since we built this entire infrastructure, and each year the eco system gets stronger. The water get's slower, cleaner; the trees get bigger, greener; the bamboos grow taller, denser; and the grasses grow thicker, bushier! Oh, how I love this miracle of nature!
It has been a week since this day, and everyday I watch these videos during my lunch break in office, and feel happy. My husband says, I'm easy to please as I find happiness in the simple joys of life. The truth is, catching these moments and seeing nature in its full glory, is a huge luxury and privilege these days. I'm lucky to be witness to such moments.
For more information on water management, you can watch the following videos: