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Rajasthan villagers dig into own pockets to harvest rainwater
Jojawar (Rajasthan), Aug 28: Fed up with acute water shortage forced by years of drought, thousands of villagers across nine districts of Rajasthan have taken matters into their own hands to make use of the little rain that falls in this desert state.
Jojawar (Rajasthan), Aug 28: Fed up with acute water shortage forced by years of drought, thousands of villagers across nine districts of Rajasthan have taken matters into their own hands to make use of the little rain that falls in this desert state.
Pooling resources, both monetary and physical, and with
the support of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), an NGO,
villagers have constructed 52 water harvesting structures or dams over the past two years in Pali, Bikaner, Barmer, Jalore, Jaipur, Alwar, Dausa, Karoli and Jaipur districts.
The results are already beginning to show. The level of ground water in areas near the structures has gone up by upto 70 feet, claims Mukesh Kumar lath, assistant manager (natural resource management), RGF. Wells are full and there is more than enough water for livestock. While this may be partly because of the good rains Rajasthan received this year, villagers say the water harvesting structures had a greater role to play.
The dam cost Rs 6.30 lakh, of which the villagers contributed 45 per cent in cash or labour. The rest was raised by RGF as grants from Ford Foundation, Denmark's Danida and Ireland aid. In some villages like Mataji Ka Guda, about 180 kms from Ajmer, the contribution of villagers was even higher - as much as 50 per cent. Bureau Report
The results are already beginning to show. The level of ground water in areas near the structures has gone up by upto 70 feet, claims Mukesh Kumar lath, assistant manager (natural resource management), RGF. Wells are full and there is more than enough water for livestock. While this may be partly because of the good rains Rajasthan received this year, villagers say the water harvesting structures had a greater role to play.
The dam cost Rs 6.30 lakh, of which the villagers contributed 45 per cent in cash or labour. The rest was raised by RGF as grants from Ford Foundation, Denmark's Danida and Ireland aid. In some villages like Mataji Ka Guda, about 180 kms from Ajmer, the contribution of villagers was even higher - as much as 50 per cent. Bureau Report