A. Background: Water is Enabler for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development. Improved access to agricultural water contributes to improved food security, economic growth, and reduction of poverty. Unfortunately, several parts of Maharashtra have been facing water scarcity since last few years. Many villages from Marathwada region received much less rainfall than the average leading to further lowering of ground water levels, much lower than a decade ago leading to severe drinking water scarcity. Coupled with failure of the monsoon, the hydrogeological characteristics and widespread over exploitation of groundwater resources without replenishing it has also contributed significantly to water scarcity. The water conservation structures especially on the streams have become defunct due to lack of maintenance while majority of streams were full of silt.

The increase in the frequency of droughts in the recent decade has aggravated its impacts on agricultural production. The result being, many farmers relying on other forms of livelihood are migrating to cities for employment. The repeated crop failures and surmounting debts is making farming unsustainable. Unable to pay these debts, farmers, unfortunately, resort to committing extreme steps such as suicides. The small and marginal farmers, whose main source of livelihood was farming, were economically devastated. There was an immediate need for initiating a sustainable solution to address this problem of water shortages.

Therefore, to address these important socio-economic issues, in the year 2013, Praj initiated the ‘Sustainable Water Resources Development’ initiative in severely drought affected village Balamtakali, in Shevgaon taluka of Ahmednagar district. The project was implemented in partnership with NGO and participation of the villagers.

The outcome of the interventions was highly encouraging. The village which was getting drinking water every year by tankers from December onwards since last 4-5 years has drinking water available throughout the year, today.

In addition, the decentralised storage of water has enhanced ground water levels and farmers have enough water for their crops and livestock. This has helped in enhancing productivity of agricultural crops and earn additional off-farm income from livestock. Due to encouraging socio- economic outcomes of this project, Praj decided to undertake this initiative in more villages and so far we have covered 37 villages spread across 8 talukas of Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Jalna and Pune district in association with NGO’s namely Janakalyan Samiti, Ahmednagar, Savitribai Phule Ekatma Samaj Mandal, Aurangabad and Gram Gaurav Pratishthan, Pune.

B. Process of initiating project:

B 1. Alignment of stakeholders:

Project was initiated by conducting series of meeting with all stakeholders such as villagers, NGOs, local leaders etc. to on-board their suggestions and bring consensus. Participatory approach for water resources development and build self-reliance instead of depending only on government assistance was underlying principal of these projects.

The opinion leaders from the village were taken to nearby villages where such interventions of water resources development had shown visible results. These interactions with the farmers from such villages were conducive in convincing the aspirants to arrive at positive decision.

They all committed to contribute at least 20-25% of project cost upfront in addition to providing help in planning, execution and monitoring of project activity. The CSR officials of Praj and the NGO staff were involved right from conceptualizing the project all the way till the targeted results were realized. Various aspects of project across the life cycle were closely monitored by representatives of NGO, Praj CSR team with active participation of local youth. This ensured credibility and helped in effectively tracking of project progress.

Mr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman, Praj Industries Ltd. during ‘Bhumi Poojan’ Ceremony at Kharadgaon, District Ahmednagar.

B 2. Project Intervention

Based on the suggestions of Hydro-Geologists following activities were initiated with people’s participation (Physical as well as financial).

• The existing check dam (water impounding structure) on the stream was repaired
• The stream was widened and deepened by removing the silt

The excavated top soil (silt) was deposited on agricultural land to enhance the soil fertility while the soft rock (Murum) was used to strengthening internal village roads.

Though the village identification and creating consensus of villagers was initiated in month of November, the actual execution started from March onwards in the following year.

Depending on the type of intervention, it took about 2-3 months to complete the work.

C. Output

Use of silt to enhance productivity

Total silt and murum excavated from these projects in 37 villages was 17.60 lakh cubic meters or 3.85 lakh truckloads. The top silt excavated from the stream was transported by farmers to their own field which has certainly benefited them in enhancing productivity of crops.

The silt was also used by some farmers for spreading it on marginal lands which were not cultivated earlier. Due to spreading the silt additional area of 380 acres has come under cultivation.

They all committed to contribute at least 20-25% of project cost upfront in addition to providing help in planning, execution and monitoring of project activity. The CSR officials of Praj and the NGO staff were involved right from conceptualizing the project all the way till the targeted results were realized. Various aspects of project across the life cycle were closely monitored by representatives of NGO, Praj CSR team with active participation of local youth. This ensured credibility and helped in effectively tracking of project progress.

The lower layer excavated from the stream was murum was used for creating 40 kilometres of internal village roads making it approachable during all seasons.