Disseminating Knowledge On Water Conservation: A Multidisciplinary Study From Ottapalam, Kerala

Abstract

Water conservation is an urgent necessity in the face of increasing global water stress, climatic instability, and unsustainable water use patterns. Despite the development of various water-saving technologies and traditional conservation practices, awareness and knowledge dissemination among communities remain limited. This paper explores the impact of knowledge dissemination on water conservation with special reference to Ottapalam, a semi-urban region in Palakkad district, Kerala, India. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that integrates sociological inquiry, environmental education, and communication studies, the research examines the effectiveness of different dissemination channels—digital media, folk media, local institutions, and formal education.

Based on a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative data from 300 households with qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Findings reveal that awareness alone does not ensure behavioural change; socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural factors deeply influence the adoption of water conservation practices. Local governance bodies, particularly the Krishibhavan and panchayats, play a vital role but face resource and communication barriers. The paper advocates for participatory knowledge dissemination methods using culturally resonant tools and suggests policy interventions to integrate water literacy within educational, administrative, and community development frameworks.

This research contributes to the international discourse on environmental sustainability by highlighting community-centric strategies for effective water management