Improving quality of life of the family in general through stabilizing and improving community eco-space, thus improving the socio-economic conditions of families by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities in the selected watersheds.
Narrative
1. Increased availability of potable water within the village year round or for the greater part of the year;
2. Increased food security due to increased agricultural productivity;
3. Enhancement of income through agriculture and access to various livelihood opportunities;
4. Women are organized into self help groups for solidarity enhancement, undertaking of social development activities and quality enhancing measures, to access and manage credit and undertake the possible income generating activities.
5. Enhanced the capacities of the supporting NGO and their staff to become proactive catalyst in the development endeavors of the village through trainings and awareness generation.
6. Building the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) so that they may take active part in their own development.
Achievements:
1. Around 21.59 ha. of waste land has been treated. Over past 6 months around 1990 persondays are generated which has benefitted 102 families, mostly women.
2. Around 1.55 ha. of cultivable land has been treated with farm bunds and stone bunds.
3. In each activity like SWC and Horticulture development, villagers have understood the importance of voluntary labour (Shramdaan) and are contributing without any hesitation. During this period they have contributed Rs 36,659.81.
4. In the cattle care camp around 1328 animals were treated from both Metali and Sarkankopcha villages. As a result, reportedly fewer animals were affected by the changes in the climatic conditions.
5. 1 new SHG with 11 members is newly formed in Metali village and internal loaning process in 3 SHG has been intiated.
6. SHG orientation program for formation of women federation (Samyukt Mahila Samitee – SMS) has been completed with 78 members from 12 SHGs.
7. 700 horticulture plants such as Mango, Guava, Jamun and Awla were distributed to 175 SHGs members from 12 SHG groups.
Other Issues
Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution
Background: Last year was a drought year. Understanding of impacts becomes important for people to accept the new ideologies and approaches. As impacts were hardly visible last year people still were under confusion whether to get the SWC measures done in their fields. To overcome this confusion, a separate exposure was organised to watersheds in Maharshtra. This exposure did make an impact, as many people, especially those from the upper cast, who were reluctant, joined the program. They then undertook SWC measures in their lands and also allowed their women to join the SHG groups.
This year even though the watershed areas received rains, unfortunately, they were below normal during the whole kharif season. Rains attained normalcy only at the end of the harvesting season, which was of no use for the crop production. This situation has again hampered the visible impacts.
Learnings
Knowledge of project and process for sharing
Difficulties:
1. Low labour turnout – As NREGS work is also implemented at the same time in the same village, people prefer to go for NREGS work rather than watershed work.
2. Ban on free grazing – Villagers are not keen on stall feeding their livestock as they are traditionally bound to open grazing of animals.
3. Participation of villagers and the VDC in implementing the program is not satisfactory.
Issue I: Peoples participation
Although the situation is much better than last year, people’s participation is still an issue with respect to the total percentage of participation. There are still families from the upper class who instigate people not to participate as the work is spoiling their land. The main reason being that the labour class engaged in watershed work is hampering agriculture work in their fields. Secondly, they also do not want to give labours the same rate as is given in the watershed work. NREGS is also an issue where people get paid inspite of work. This is also hampering participation in WS work.
Ways to improve performance: The NGO staff is in touch with the people through meetings, planning of SWC measures etc.
Issue II: Village Development Committee:
Participation of VDC members from both villages is not as per our expection in spite of repeated attempts.
Ways to improve performance: We have been trying hard to convience the members for their active involvement. We have even asked the active members to reform the committee with the new ones who are interested to join in the development of their villages. As the gram panchayat elections are on the verge, a possibility of active involvement of gram panchayat members and the VDC members is expected.
Impact
People Impacted: 2150
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 2150
The watershed activities rejuvenated the water table for 394 families.
People Getting Other Benefits: 2150
The whole village will benefit from the promotion of self-help based watershed development which contributes to improving living conditions and increasing income in rural areas of Maharashtra as well as contributing towards replication beyond Maharashtra. Watershed Development in India is considered as a strategic intervention for poverty reduction. This is especially so since over 70% of arable land in India is rainfed on which over 60% of rural India draws its subsistence from.