Karsog Valley Farmers Group ,Local NGO, came into existence in April,29,2006 with a motive to work for the welfare of farming community. We have seen the multiple problems being faced by the ill fated farmers, attended hundreds of meetings with the farmers. One major problem , they talk about is the water scarcity.
In ancient Indian literature and religious teachings water is equated with life and held in great veneration. Rivers were worshipped. Strict rules guided the maintenance of the riverbeds and the utilization of water. This maintenance clause is no more applicable for present society, that’s why All bavdis, springs have turned dry
Anna Hazare, the renowned activist and environmentalist once remarked, “These schemes result in more money harvesting than water harvesting!” Mark Tully, one time BBC correspondent and long time observer of the Indian scene, summed it up aptly, “Repeated droughts have made water harvesting fashionable.”
Though there is a lot of doubts while talking about Government schemes, some of them indeed have succeeded. One such success story comes from the district Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh. Over a period of five years more than a thousand check-dams were constructed. Nearly the same number of ponds was also dug. These steps led to ‘drought-proofing’ of the village. Agriculture improved, migration to cities was arrested and the villagers found gainful occupations in the village itself. But such cases are rare and far between.
But there is hope yet! There are spectacular success stories from several parts of rural India. The common factor that runs through these stories like a golden thread is the initiative and active participation of local people. They have proved the timeless truth in the saying “Apne hath Jagannath!” (Destiny is in our own hands.) With a little help from NGOs, who prefer to call themselves facilitators, these villages have drawn upon ancient wisdom and made use of the present technology with the future in mind.
Almost Every one knows That Rajender Singh educated the villagers about the wisdom of ancient methods of water conservation. “Pani Yatras” were taken out through the villages. Soon the Sangh had thousands of villagers across hundreds of villages repairing abandoned johads, check dams, and restoring dried up wells. As in the case of Ralegaon, TBS insisted that at least part of the finances required must come from the villagers to ensure greater involvement and interest. Over the years the villagers’ contribution and interest has risen and hundreds of villages have become self-sufficient in water. Miraculously the river Aravari, that had only been a fading memory, started flowing again after about eight decades! Local people who had to migrate to cities in summer looking for employment now stay back to look after their crops. Women freed from the drudgery of trudging miles for drinking water have taken up cash-generating activities like traditional crafts and poultry. More children attend schools. Forest cover and grasslands have increased leading to more milk production. This in turn has led to the revival of the age-old industry of making milk cakes, famous throughout the state in the past.
The success stories recounted above show a silver lining in the otherwise bleak scenario of droughts, floods and failing monsoons. The simple village folk, relying on traditional wisdom have shown us the value of ancient systems. They have also proved that God helps those who help themselves. Perhaps the time has come for communities to take up a more active role in nation building without waiting for the Government to do everything. As John F Kennedy once remarked, let us think of what we can do for the country rather than what the country can do for us.
The introduction of NREGA has brought a lot of fortune to the rural India. It has given employment opportunity to the rural people. The adverse thing which I have noticed with concern to the water is that the Panchayat representative have started making money of it. They have converted our old traditional Johars (kufers) into concrete tanks. A kufar can absorb water more than 100 times of its volume.I have witnessed three Kufars converting into concrete tanks .In various meetings with farmers we draw their attention to it and motivate them to protest against this conversion. Brikam Ram,62 years old resident of the village described that the kufer(now turned into a pacca water tank) is without water for the first time in last 50-60 years. They used to use its water for cattles, vegetables production, but this time they have to hire a vehicle to carry water for cattles and other domestic need.
I am sure if the funds of NREGA are used to make JOHARS, Check Dams and plantation of environment friendly trees, our state can become DROUGHT FREE state.
In ancient Indian literature and religious teachings water is equated with life and held in great veneration. Rivers were worshipped. Strict rules guided the maintenance of the riverbeds and the utilization of water. This maintenance clause is no more applicable for present society, that’s why All bavdis, springs have turned dry
Anna Hazare, the renowned activist and environmentalist once remarked, “These schemes result in more money harvesting than water harvesting!” Mark Tully, one time BBC correspondent and long time observer of the Indian scene, summed it up aptly, “Repeated droughts have made water harvesting fashionable.”
Though there is a lot of doubts while talking about Government schemes, some of them indeed have succeeded. One such success story comes from the district Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh. Over a period of five years more than a thousand check-dams were constructed. Nearly the same number of ponds was also dug. These steps led to ‘drought-proofing’ of the village. Agriculture improved, migration to cities was arrested and the villagers found gainful occupations in the village itself. But such cases are rare and far between.
But there is hope yet! There are spectacular success stories from several parts of rural India. The common factor that runs through these stories like a golden thread is the initiative and active participation of local people. They have proved the timeless truth in the saying “Apne hath Jagannath!” (Destiny is in our own hands.) With a little help from NGOs, who prefer to call themselves facilitators, these villages have drawn upon ancient wisdom and made use of the present technology with the future in mind.
Almost Every one knows That Rajender Singh educated the villagers about the wisdom of ancient methods of water conservation. “Pani Yatras” were taken out through the villages. Soon the Sangh had thousands of villagers across hundreds of villages repairing abandoned johads, check dams, and restoring dried up wells. As in the case of Ralegaon, TBS insisted that at least part of the finances required must come from the villagers to ensure greater involvement and interest. Over the years the villagers’ contribution and interest has risen and hundreds of villages have become self-sufficient in water. Miraculously the river Aravari, that had only been a fading memory, started flowing again after about eight decades! Local people who had to migrate to cities in summer looking for employment now stay back to look after their crops. Women freed from the drudgery of trudging miles for drinking water have taken up cash-generating activities like traditional crafts and poultry. More children attend schools. Forest cover and grasslands have increased leading to more milk production. This in turn has led to the revival of the age-old industry of making milk cakes, famous throughout the state in the past.
The success stories recounted above show a silver lining in the otherwise bleak scenario of droughts, floods and failing monsoons. The simple village folk, relying on traditional wisdom have shown us the value of ancient systems. They have also proved that God helps those who help themselves. Perhaps the time has come for communities to take up a more active role in nation building without waiting for the Government to do everything. As John F Kennedy once remarked, let us think of what we can do for the country rather than what the country can do for us.
The introduction of NREGA has brought a lot of fortune to the rural India. It has given employment opportunity to the rural people. The adverse thing which I have noticed with concern to the water is that the Panchayat representative have started making money of it. They have converted our old traditional Johars (kufers) into concrete tanks. A kufar can absorb water more than 100 times of its volume.I have witnessed three Kufars converting into concrete tanks .In various meetings with farmers we draw their attention to it and motivate them to protest against this conversion. Brikam Ram,62 years old resident of the village described that the kufer(now turned into a pacca water tank) is without water for the first time in last 50-60 years. They used to use its water for cattles, vegetables production, but this time they have to hire a vehicle to carry water for cattles and other domestic need.
I am sure if the funds of NREGA are used to make JOHARS, Check Dams and plantation of environment friendly trees, our state can become DROUGHT FREE state.
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