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Kolayat Watershed Project

Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS) Jodphur

TH.GRA.KOL 0409

www.gravis.org.in

The main activities carried out this year comprised khadin development, farm bunding, pastureland development, tree planting and the development of naadi. To conserve, upgrade and utilise natural resources like land, water, livestock and vegetation, using available human resources in a harmonious manner, land-based treatment, plantation and sowing-related and water resource development activities have also been carried out. One bull centre was constructed at Nokhara village for the purpose of improving the breed of cattle. A certified Tharparkar bull (an indigenous pure species best suited for arid conditions) was purchased from the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI). The bull is also providing its services to the nearby villages. 

 

The Village Development Committee of the three villages continues to meet regularly. In the meetings, several issues relating to ongoing projects are discussed and decisions are taken. In the case of any conflict in the village relating to project interventions, the VDC has intervened and resolved the problem. Twenty-one women Self Help Groups (SHG’s) have also been formed under the project and, in addition, several trainings on capacity building of stakeholders, seed fairs and  veterinary health camps were also organized.

Case Study - Teeja Devi

Teeja Devi ,a mother of two sons and three daughters, lives with her husband and children in a small mud thatched hut in the Beldar village of Kolayat. Her husband Gopiram owns thirty bighas of land, but instead of it being an asset, for years it has proved to be a burden to them. Gopiram is disabled, and so could not cultivate it himself and he did not have the money to pay for it to be cultivated. When, in October 2005, the Village Development Committee (VDC) had a meeting to select beneficiaries for the project, Gopiram approached them for khadin construction on his land. It was a decisive moment for the VDC. On the one hand, the beneficiary was extremely needy, but on the other hand, there was also the aspect of ‘contribution of beneficiary’ to be considered. Because of his disability, Gopiram would be unable to work.  The problem was solved when Gopiram’s brothers came to his aid and promised to contribute in cash. The khadin was constructed before the monsoon in 2006 in the name of Teeja Devi. In October 2006, there was scanty rain in the area but the Rain Gods obliged with another shower in November. Teeja Devi and Gopiram’s field was ready for sowing. They decided to sow ‘Taramira’- a variety of mustard. They spent Rs. 140 on purchasing 7 kg of Taramira seeds, but then the question arose of how the seeds would be sown. It was the VDC again, along with the fellow villagers, who came to the rescue of the family. They requested help from a local tractor owner.  Today the mature crop stands in Teeja Devi and Gopiram’s field – a witness to the fact that there is immense strength in unity.