अपना बुंदेलखंड डॉट कॉम परिवार के सदस्यों को "रामनवमी" की शुभकामनायें। राम जिन्होंने बुंदेलखंड के चित्रकूट क्षेत्र में संकल्प लिया कि "निश्चर हीन महि करूँ , भुज उठाहि प्रण (Read More)
ApnaBundelkhand.com, Jalaun: With the onset of summer, Jharaina and Maharajpura villages in Madhogarh block of Jalaun district are parched and thirsting for water. But Himmatpura, a neighbouring village in the same block, has set an example by recharging rainwater and—according to the latest block-level groundwater survey report—increasing the groundwater level by seven feet in the last two years.
Located in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, Himmatpura (literally ‘place of courage’) village, too, was facing drinking water shortage, right from the beginning of summer till October every year. That was before the village—which has a population of 546 households—started saving and recharging water. Nine pucca houses and an equal number of kuchcha huts, all of which fall in a straight line, are involved in the project. Plastic pipes have been installed along the rooftops to ensure all the rainwater that is collected ends up in an underground pit—the pit, in turn, is connected to wells in the village.
Devised and installed in 2006 by a local NGO, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, with help from Water Aid India and locals, the first year, unfortunately, saw little success owing to scant rainfall. Between 2007 and 2009, however, the project has resulted in increased groundwater levels—up by seven feet in Himmatpura and by three feet in adjoining villages.
Says Shivgopal, a village elder whose kuchcha hut is also a part of the rainwater harvesting project, "Initially, we did not understand how we could contribute to saving rainwater. We always thought that ultimately the water from rainfall was going to the land. Now we know how to collect and save rainwater so that we always have a drinking water supply.” To prevent contamination, the villagers also got all wells covered and handpumps installed on them, making it easier to draw water.
The project cost about Rs 45,000. Anil Singh of Parmarth, who was already working with the people of the village, recalls, "We were able to cut costs thanks to the villagers, who offer to do all the manual work without pay. Women played a significant role.” Surendra Chaudhary and Sanjeev, handpump mechanics on daily wages with the UP Jal Nigam, pitched in to cut and install pipes.
The method has been appreciated by former district magistrate of Jalaun, Rigzin Samphel, who wants it to be replicated in other villages. Lalchand Garg, a water harvesting management expert who has been a regular in Bundelkhand, says the Himmatpura project is a fine example of community mobilisation.
