It is now being increasing fell that water shortages in most of Asia, is adversely effecting the quality of life and sustainable development and unless remedial measures are undertaken on a war footing the situation would soon become critical. In India, which is blessed with good rainfall, nearly fifty percent of our 600 million rural population does not have assured access to potable drinking water. The position worsens during the hot summer months.  Similarly, the situation on the imagination front is equally bad. With a cropped area of approximate 145 million ha less than 302 or approximate 40 million ha. is irrigated B the rest rainfed. In the Bundelkhand region

of Madhya Pradesh which requires an average rainfall of 750 mm the irrigated area is less than 206.  Development Alternatives in close consultation with the district level administration of Tikamgarh had surveyed villages of Niwari Block which were facing acute drinking water problems. Five villages were selected for intervention through United Distillers of London, Water of Life project.

 

The main objectives of the interventions were:

 

i)	To  provide adequate  quantity  of drinking water for the four villages.
ii)	To increase availability of ground & surface irrigation in the area by constructing innovative water harvesting structures.
iii)	Upgradation of wells & hand pumps to minimize / eliminate stagnant water in close proximity of wells & hand pumps.
iv)	To test water quality of all sources in the four villages & suggest interventions: water quality to be tested   by   the JALTARA kit developed by Development Alternatives in coordination with WWF.
v)	To increase drinking water availability for animals in the four villages.  The above objectives, besides providing adequate drinking water, were to lead to greater biomass production in the area viz one crop cycle becoming 2 to 3 crop activity.  In addition, the two water harvesting structures on the Gurari River could land to pisciculture production thereby adding to the economic well being in the area.  Another important component of the project was to raise the awareness of the propulsion on the benefits of safe drinking water and sanitation around the wells and hand pumps of the villages. This component with 12 will have continuity during which local community will be trained to regularly monitor the quality of water using the JALTARA water testing kit.

 

The project resulted in improving the quality of life of the villagers in the project area by providing them with the scarce resource-water. The check dams on the Gurari river have achieved spectacular results (picture).  These water harvesting structures have resulted in recharging the groundwater supply within a radius 2-3 km around the structure with the results that farmers can now take up at least two crops a year thereby improving food security and income.  The water reservoir will also make available adequate water for lift irrigation to cater for 300 - 400 ha of cropland for a minimum of two crops.  The large structure would have adequate water even during summer months for pisciculture.

 

The author is Regional Manager, Development Alternatives, Jhansi.

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