Idkidu, a small village in Bentwal tehsil of Dakshin Kannada District, has emerged as a laboratory of village development, as many inspiring experiments with collective efforts have been conducted here. The development activities gained momentum in 1989 through a team of dedicated RSS workers. A cow in each house, farming without the use of chemical fertilizers, biogas plant and solar panel in each house, growing vegetables and herbs around the house, liquor prohibition and water conservation are some of the goals that have been achieved by the people.
Once trapped in huge water scarcity, the village has now set healthy tradition of curbing wastage of water and storing rain water. A veterinary doctor prepared a topographical model depicting the borewells, open wells and other water sources which helped in water conservation. Now water from all houses is poured into a tank thus increasing the water volume hugely.
Over 1500 saplings of betel nut were planted. The money obtained from them is used for educating students and treatment of economically deprived patients. The school students create awareness about avoiding use of plastic in the surrounding villages also. The students who collect more than 10 kg plastic waste are awarded with free stationery.
Idkidu CA Bank has four branches in the village. It is the bank which works even upto the late evening and anybody including children can make use of it. At least one person from each house has a bank account. The bank has over 2,000 accounts. Over 200 ‘Navodaya groups’ and 250 women SHGs are also attached to the bank. Chairman of the bank is elected unanimously. The State Government has also felicitated the bank. There is a Complex which houses cooperative bank, Kirana shops, fertilizer sales, and purchase shop of farm produces. It is ‘One Stop’ point for all needs.
There are three co-operative milk societies making it the highest milk producer in the district. Over 300 families are involved in this business. More than 150 houses have bio gas plants resulting in the reduction of consumption of LPG and firewood. Sometime back the villagers collectively constructed a small bridge at the cost of Rs 50,000 across a rivulet dividing the village. It reduced the distance to the nearest town Vittal, by five kms. A road about 1.5 km long was constructed by people themselves through shramdaan. The conducts anti-rabies vaccination drive since 21 years. (PK)
Idkidu, Dakshin Kannada District, Karnataka
Location: 38 km towards East from Mangalore
Population: 4125
Major Initiatives:
* Over 300 families involved in dairy business
* Over 150 houses have bio gas plants
* Over 2000 persons have bank accounts
* Over 200 SHGs in the
village
n Trees planted on temple land now produce good income, which is used in village development
