journal d'une transition

1135

Before going into detailed plans, a brief description of the physical conditions prevailing in Auroville may be helpful.

Auroville is situated on a plateau of laterite, about 40 to 60 metres above sea level, starting from the sea shore of the Bay of Bengal and extending inland some 12 kilometres. The climate is semi-tropical with a short summer monsoon in June and a larger monsoon period starting mid-October to the end of November; mild temperatures hold till February or so, followed by hot dry weather with land winds up to June. August and September usually bring lots of thunderstorms. Cyclones are not infrequent. There are no rivers in the vicinity; but, to the North, a large semi-natural tank, Kaliveli, is a high point for migratory birds. The land is not fit for agriculture, except for dry crops such as raggi and varagu (varieties of millet) which the local farmers have long abandoned for such cash crops as cashew-trees and casuarinas. When Auroville was started, the whole area was entirely barren, thanks to the careless exploitation of timber at the turn of the century, and major erosion, most of the rain-water running through deepening canyons towards the sea. The water resources are minimal, and the Mother had early on advised to explore the possibility of desalination plants. We tap mostly from the two higher water-tables, which have been replenished enormously as a result of intensive bunding and erosion control. However, due to the wild industrial growth in the Pondichéry area on the one hand, and to the policy of Government subsidies for farmers aiming at quick profits on the other hand, the water-tables are rapidly being polluted and alarming degrees of salinity are presently being recorded. Auroville is naturally, given its Charter, very concerned with drawing the maximum benefits from scientific discoveries towards a more conscious, sustainable, wholesome and harmonious development, not only for its own sake but for the entire region. Over the 30 years of its existence Auroville has been able to demonstrate the changes that can be wrought by persistent care for the land, with creativity, inventiveness and trust. We have seen how, after initial struggles and the need for a sometimes grim perseverance on the part of people, Nature eventually responds beyond all expectations.

However there are yet limits to what can be asked of her, and the most crucial challenges that still face Auroville are: energy and water.

In the creation of the Matrimandir Gardens, utmost attention and care must go to the use of both energy and water, with the combined help of practical common sense and sophisticated scientifically monitored equipment and devices.

The Matrimandir being a high focus of expectation, whatever realisation will be achieved in its Gardens will have considerable effects.