Veer Wajekar A.S.C. College. Phunde, Uran Equitable Sharing of water Resources : A means of Economic Justice and Eradication of Poverty Presentation by : Dr. V. S. MAHALE Assistant Professor Dept. of Rural Development Veer Wajekar A.S.C. College. Phunde, Uran

Community development in India The term community development in the Indian context refers to the rural development in India. It denotes a deliberate effort made by the government by enlisting voluntary participation of the rural people and active cooperation of voluntary organizations for rural area development.

Rural community in India Agriculture is the principle economic activity and agricultural development occupies major space in the community work in rural areas.

Agriculture in India Agriculture as an economic activity is by and large subsistence farming due to inherent limitation of rain fed farming.

Need for watershed development. Water scarcity in rural India generates a need for watershed development.

The irregularity of monsoon causes hardships to the rural community. 65% of our cultivated lands fall under rainfed areas. Soil, water and vegetation are under degradation. Loss of vegetal cover. Lands lacking in water. Loss of solid nutrients. In India out of the total geographical area of 329 million hectares, 57% are suffering from different forms of soil degradation.

Watershed management is regarded as a vital factor in improving agricultural production in the drought prone areas.

community development activity Watershed management as a community development activity

Watershed management as a community development activity To mitigate this difficulty watershed has become a major community activity undertaken by most community- based organizations [ CBO’s] with the active participation of the beneficiaries of the rural community. There is also an active participation of NGO’s in the implementation of soil and water conservation programmes.

Gram Gaurav Pratisthan [ Rural Community Upliftment Trust ] This presentation proposes to highlight the works of Gram Gaurav Pratisthan [ Rural Community Upliftment Trust ] & Paani Panchayat [ Water Council ] and its unique approach to soil, water, manpower management and social economic development.

Gram Gaurav Pratisthan A community development programme is a unique trust with a new approach in soil water management and socio economic development from the grass root level for the people in the drought prone areas. Aims at changing their lives for the better in terms of their social, economical and individual development.

Maharashtra, one of the largest states of India is also one of the most drought prone states in India. Every year 33% of the total cultivable land is affected by drought which in turn affects about a third of the total population of the state.

Initiated by Shri. V.B Salunke – in the drought prone area of Naigaon village in the Purandhar taluka [ Block ] of Maharashtra to find a permanent solution to overcome the problem of recurring droughts by involving the rural community. Shri. V.B Salunke received the Swedish inventors association award for “Development Oriented Innovation”.

Naigaon Village -Purandar Taluka

Community development through Paani Panchayat (Water Council)

Paani Panchayat A successful experiment in watershed management, with active involvement of the beneficiaries in the implementation of the programme. Includes all the sections of the society making it an instrument of social change. Aims at an equitable distribution of water on a community basis and collective farming

Principles of Paani Panchayat Water according to need No Sugarcane Beneficiaries contribute to cost Water rights not alienable

Modalities of Paani Panchayat- Community participation Only group schemes are undertaken and not schemes for individuals. The sharing of water is on the basis of number of members in the family. The rights to water do not go to the land but to the individual beneficiaries for increasing agricultural income. Beneficiaries share 20% of the cost of irrigation project, government and the trust shares 40% each of the project cost.

Modalities of Paani Panchayat – Community participation..contd. High water requiring crop such as sugarcane are not allowed. Farmers education and introduction to improved agricultural practices are taken on community basis. The landless can also share water by becoming sharecroppers to farmers with more land. Beneficiaries are involved in all the aspects of running the programme thus leadership capabilities and skills of the community were recognized and enhanced.

An instrument of social change and community development Paani Panchayat - An instrument of social change and community development

An instrument of Community development & social change Other auxiliary projects of rural development are now undertaken such as - dairy, animal husbandry - social forestry, horticulture, - health, adult education, - marketing etc. Irrigation has given full time occupation ending all vices which was present with idle time. Beneficiaries comprise of all classes of population so they think not in terms of individual gains but on community or collective gains.

An instrument of Community development & social change Beneficiary shepherds are no more leading a nomadic life and are even able to send their children to schools. Assured water supply led to - more productive time to work on the fields. - increase of agricultural produce from 50 kg to 400 kg- 500 kg per acre.

An instrument of Community development & social change Lift irrigations have been set up to solve drinking water problems Womenfolk now have more time to work on the fields and and are saved of the labour of water collection. Renewal of self confidence in the farmers - raising crops like onions, cotton, vegetables and even fruit crops like grapes.

Achievements

Management of the scheme on Community basis

Management of the scheme Beneficiaries of the scheme are involved at every step. A manager or a group leader is elected by the beneficiaries of each scheme. All the families participating in a particular scheme take part equally. Every Sunday group leaders participate in the meeting of Paani Panchayat.

Management of the scheme A suitable ‘Patkari’ or a water distributor is trained for the duties is appointed by Paani Panchayat who assures day-to-day fair allocation of water to all its beneficiaries.

Extension Services Training of the farmers for land water manpower management was done on community basis to increase agricultural production. Trained extension workers give training of Paani Panchayat use of modern science and technology to maximise agricultural production with minimum water. The training center runs periodical short courses of group leaders in the management of the schemes Introduction of shops providing seeds and fertilizers and insecticides at a cheaper rate and close to his farm.  

Conclusion Paani Panchayat is not just for irrigation and equitable distribution of water. It is a philosophy that can bring about a complete socio-economic change among the poor farmers and development of the rural community involving community participation in watershed development. It has a tremendous potential for rural reconstruction and can prevent the migration of young men and women from rural areas to urban centers.

Thank You