A region that used to stay parched now has an abundance of water Image credit: Alka Pande

Over the last 12 months, two earthen dams, 22 farm ponds and 34 recharge structures have been created, apart from the renovation of two existing check dams. Together, they will be able to provide a whopping nine crore litres of water to households here. “Moreover, we expect these water conservation structures to help increase the groundwater table by 5-10 metres in the initial year itself,” reveals Praveen Singhai, Regional Manager, AFPRO, adding, “These dams will help water percolate in around a two-kilometre radius.”

Whereas AFPRO and Ananda have done the groundwork as well as built the critical infrastructure, the running and maintenance will be the sole responsibility of the villagers, as “this will create a sense of ownership in them”. Recently, the formal handing over was done with much fanfare in the presence of the local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Diya Kumari

Two earthen dams, in Sawai Madhopur district. Image credit : Alka Pande

As someone who has closely observed the water crisis in the area and how it has marred people’s lives for generations, she is hopeful that this endeavour would positively impact her constituents. “The dwindling water resources in these villages had always been a cause of great concern for the residents as well as administration, as it affects agricultural productivity and livelihood generation,” elaborates Diya Kumari, adding, “This watershed management initiative will certainly help farmers yield enhanced output from their land, improving the socio-economic status of the region.” Like the concerned legislator, the experts and activists involved in this initiative, too, are convinced that the newly introduced water management systems will collectively impact all aspects of life and livelihood – “it will lead to enhanced agriculture productivity, soil and water conservation, environment amelioration and socio-economic uplift of the community”.

As someone who has lived in Bhadlav since his young days Ram Singh knows what it’s like to live in uncertainty brought on by an acute paucity of water. “Earlier, the rain water used to flow into the river and in the summers everything would become bone dry. However, with the new dams and ponds not just our hamlet but others in the vicinity will benefit immensely,” he elaborates, his voice ringing with hope.

For Rohini, her livestock is her lifeline, (Image credit: Alka Pande

Singh is bang on in his assessment. For the longest time, families like his and Rohini Devi’s have had to bear huge financial burdens in the wake of damaged crops and dead livestock, threatening their very survival. Women and girls have, unfortunately, borne the biggest brunt of this deprivation: forced to spend a better part of their day first sourcing and then lugging water over great distances, they were left with little time or energy to complete other chores, including caring for the animals. However, with no option but to buck up it ended up taking a toll on them. Now, with fuller water bodies and an increased water table, things are sure to get better for them.

“The construction of these water harvesting infrastructures will certainly improve the availability of water especially in the dry season. We also expect a substantial increase in the water table after the monsoon season,” says Ishteyaque Amjad, Vice President-Public Affairs and Communication, Coca-Cola India and South West.

Villager surveys the well-watered, green area. Image credit: Alka Pande

Apart from being a boon for the women, according to Singhai, “farmers are rejoicing at the prospect of finally having proper irrigation facilities through the year, which will enable them to produce at least two crops instead of just one like in the previous years.” Incidentally, wheat, sarson (mustard greens), jowar, bajra, soyabean, peanuts and corn are commonly grown in the area.

Rohini, who is still trying to get over the loss her family has incurred, has the final word, “I have lost my goats and so have many other women in the village; everyone has faced very tough times due to scarcity of water. I am looking forward to a better and more relaxed summer next year.”