A Tale of Success from Gujarat
She is an Indian activist from Gujarat. She holds an MPhil degree in Journalism from Gujarat Vidyapith. After her studies, she began to help people from indigenous tribes to integrate into society. In recognition of her work, she was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2018.
• She founded Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM) for the welfare of the most downtrodden Nomadic and DeNotified tribes in 2010.
• She works on several social, economic, education, livelihood, human rights, and housing etc. related issues
• She is an honorary member of the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic and Communities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi
• She is a member of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
The significance of water management in the face of climate change cannot be emphasised enough. The delicate balance between evaporation and precipitation, as well as the intricate relationship between water and weather, play a crucial role in the global climate change phenomenon. This realization has prompted the world to act, and India is no exception. According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018, the situation regarding water scarcity in India is dire. The report predicted that by 2020, 21 major cities in India would run out of groundwater, affecting the access to water for approximately 100 million people. Furthermore, the report projected that by 2030, nearly 40% of the population would have no access to drinking water whatsoever. India must transition from a ‘supply-and-supply-more water’ provision to a more sustainable and holistic approach that emphasizes better water resource management.
One key aspect of this approach involves revisiting traditional practices such as recharging and restoring local water bodies, as well as implementing rainwater harvesting techniques. The survey conducted by the Water Level Board revealed that 34 out of 47 blocks in North Gujarat face alarming underground water levels. This region was declared a ‘Dark Zone’ looking at the condition of the water level in the region.One key aspect of this approach involves revisiting traditional practices such as recharging and restoring local water bodies, as well as implementing rainwater harvesting techniques. The survey conducted by the Water Level Board revealed that 34 out of 47 blocks in North Gujarat face alarming underground water levels. This region was declared a ‘Dark Zone’ looking at the condition of the water level in the region.
Recognizing the need to address this issue, Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM) has undertaken a comprehensive water management program since 2015. The program aims to create awareness among communities and engage in activities such as desilting lakes. To date, we have successfully de-silted 250 lakes. So far, the amount of silt excavated during the desilting process is 21,12,500 cubic meters (CMT). As a result of desilting, the total enhanced water retention capacity across all lakes amounted to 2,11,245,00,000 litres.
While the improvement of groundwater levels in these regions is a long-term endeavour that may take several years to yield measurable results, the intervention has already had positive outcomes. Many farmers are already experiencing higher crop yields, and there have been instances of water levels rising in existing bore wells.
The Participatory Water Management program distinguishes itself through its emphasis on community involvement. The program begins with raising awareness among residents about the depleting groundwater table and its future consequences. Only when the community agrees to share responsibilities and actively participate in the project does the execution phase begin. Villages are selected based on criteria such as the severity of the problem and the willingness of the villagers to cooperate. This program truly lives up to its name and purpose when the village actively contributes, whether by providing tractors for soil excavation or making monetary contributions. Alongside desilting lakes, the program also focuses on developing inflow and outflow channels for effective water management.
To further enhance the efforts, VSSM envisions connecting these lakes to canals in the region, creating a network of interconnected water bodies to improve the groundwater table. The announcement of the “Jal Jeevan Mission” by Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi has provided a major boost, recognizing the importance of these types of initiatives like the Participatory Water Management program.
In parallel with water management initiatives, tree plantation drives play a crucial role in addressing climate change. VSSM initiated a massive Tree Plantation campaign in some of the most arid regions it works. VSSM’s approach involves selecting villages for the plantation drive based on the readiness of village leadership to participate actively in the entire process, from planting to maintaining the trees. Recognizing the need for ongoing care, VSSM appoints a dedicated individual – Vriksh Mitra (Tree Caretaker) for three years at each site to look after the planted trees. These tree caretakers water the trees, create small trenches to collect water, and provide necessary remedies to combat diseases. The remuneration for these caretakers is funded through contributions from well-wishers of VSSM, ensuring their commitment to the task at hand.
A total of 90 blocks were involved in the initiative, resulting in the planting of 5,00,347 trees across 121 sites. Out of the total trees planted, 4,65,516 have survived, achieving an overall survival rate of 93.04%. These numbers indicate the successful implementation of tree plantation initiatives across multiple blocks, contributing to environmental conservation and biodiversity. VSSM aims to ensure that every tree planted receives the care it deserves until it becomes self-sustaining. This approach not only contributes to greening the landscape but also fosters a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship in the community.
Participatory Water management and tree plantation are two integral components of a holistic approach to climate change resilience. The efforts in Gujarat and other regions in India highlight the importance of community involvement, traditional practices, and sustainable strategies for mitigating the impact of climate change. By prioritizing water resource management, supporting marginalized communities, and nurturing planted trees, these initiatives pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
