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Water and Livelihood - Gangeshwar River Basin

Sahyog Sansthan, Udaipur

AR.SAH.GAN.0408

 

Chapariya village is home to 99 tribal families. A total of 17 wells have been lined and deepened and 3500m² of loose stone field bunding has been built in agricultural land. Seven gully plugs, a small water harvesting structure, 38ha of common pasture land, 27 vermiculture compost units, 400 m irrigation channels, 125 horticulture units, and 2 animal vaccination camps have been implemented. Also 37 village meetings and 3 joint workshops have been held and 2 more Self Help Groups (SHG) formed.

 

Vegetable gardening by 8 families is providing alternate source of income generation. By selling vegetables the families managed to earn Rs.300-Rs.2000. Along with this, organic agriculture practices are strengthened by introduction of vermicomposting, which improves the quality of the soil. Since the commencement of the project, 41500 kg. of manure has been produced and used in the fields to improve productivity.

 

At present there are 4 women Self Help Groups, consisting of 70 members out of 100 families. Two groups have a  bank account where each member contributes Rs.10 in a month.

 

38ha of community pastureland was developed through soil and moisture conservation activities with the combined support of Wells for India and Government of Rajasthan. This land is now protected by the villagers. The pastureland is well managed and with good rainfall the natural regeneration is significant. Last year the grass production was 1500 bundles but in 2004 it may increase up to 30,000. This will help people to have enough fodder for their animals.

 

A joint workshop was organized at Kun center. Apart from other villages 12 men and women also participated from Chapariya. The workshop was successful in developing collaboration with the District administration and public representatives.

The water harvesting and conservation work over the last 4 years is now having an have impact. After good rains wells near to these structures are full with water. Now with increased availability of water alternative sources of income such as dairying and vegetable gardening can be strengthened. Good rainfall also leads to higher quality nutritious fodder for livestock.

 

From the social point of view the Self Help Groupss are functioning and have started taking responsibility for village development. They also visit other villages to share experiences sharing and learn new things. One of the men rightly commented on the Self Help Groups “We are happy that our wives are in the group and gathering together and learning new things.  Whatever they learn through Sahyog our wives tell us.” He added  “I think going on exposure tours is good because they learn something and share it with us”.

 

This project completed its third year during 2006. Four water harvesting structures were constructed in Samel, Surkhan, Bodi Magri and Harjibuj Ki Bhagal villages. As a result, a total of thirty wells were recharged and some eighty-six farmers benefited by growing Kharif, Rabi and Zaid crop. The heavy rainfall (1047 mm) during this monsoon did damage to almost 80% of the Kharif crop, but people harvested a good Rabi crop.

 

During 2006, twenty-two existing old wells were also renovated with 50% support from the project and 50% contribution from villagers. Major work included lining of a parapet wall and irrigation channels for effective use of water.  During the year, eighty-seven farmers’ 50 Ha agricultural land was subject to soil water conservation activities like farm bunds. The Loose Stone Check Dams constructed had a positive impact and good regeneration of roots and vegetation cover is visible in the area. The total cost of the work was Rs.365,425, of which project support given was Rs.182,717. This has enabled the farmers to retained water and soil in their fields.

 

The vermiculture programme started by twenty families in 2005 is making slow progress and only thirteen units have worked during this period. All the families have used the vermicompost manure in Rabi and Kharif crops. The animal husbandry camps organised in all the villages in summer have prevented various seasonal diseases in animals in the project area this year.

 

Two trainings were also organized with sixteen Self Help Groups (SHGs) on record management, winter crops planning etc. Special review meetings for records management and functioning of  SHGs in all villages were organized in February and March 2007. A two day joint review workshop was organized at Binder to take stock of the programme and progress of work. Activities for vision enhancement and skill building implemented through meeting, training, joint workshop and exposure visits have also been of benefit. The workshop was attended by 115 men and women from all four villages.

 

For monitoring of the programme, data relating to rainfall, water table, crop production, vermiculture, horticulture and SHGs were collected, and compiled.

 

Gangeshwer Watershed Project has been an improved version of the community managed watershed programme. But the heavy rainfall of 2006 had an adverse effect and 80% of the Kharif crop was lost. It was learned at both organisation and community level that the development programme must be planned on the basis both of scarcity of water and excess of water for desired production.