Revival of a dying river through community participation

( Village Satnarayan, Block Mao,District Chitrakoot)

Introduction:

The river Singhastrot emerges from deep rooted underground water sources from village Satyanarayan, flows through various villages (e.g. Kemahai village lying on the northern side and villages Satyanarayan, Bhouti and and Nevada lying on the southern side of the river), covers up a distance of 3.5 kms and meets with Madna river in village Kithai which ,in turn ,joins  river Tons of Madhya Pradesh.Presently this river is in process of revival and is satisfying the thirst of 1500-2000 cattles , a number of birds  and 50-100 villagers  living around it every day. The river is likely to irrigate 200-250 bhighas of agricultural land and shall assist villagers in producing Rabi and khariff Crops.The River is recharged by 8-10 sources of water, oozing underground water.

Problem: 

At one time, this river was considered to be boon to villager's community, overflooded with water, irrigating 200-250 bigha of agricultural land enabling villager's community to take up two crops (Rabi and khariff) in a season. There was no dearth of drinking water for all living beings.  The banks of river were blooming with fruits trees of Gooler and Rose apples.The water flowing in the river had good velocity.  

Real problem arose

Ø  When Govt. constructed 2-3 check dams on the river which lead to reduction in flow of water of river and accumulation of mud, the situation worsened even more during rainy season, blocking all underground water outlets. The river Singhastrot started drying up.

Ø  The fruit trees on the bank of river were pruned and used as fuel for preparation of mid-day meal for children of primary schools.This activity considerably reduced the velocity of water.

Ø  This area of Bundelkhand is already rocky and drought prone and lack of water has declined the underground water table.

All the above factors lead to declare Singhastrot River a "dried river". 

Ø  The drying of river and lack of rain has destoyed completely the agricultural production and brought food insecurity among villagers. Besides, villagers do not have a sustainable and profitable alternative source of livelihood causing them to struggle for their existence.

Solutions:

v  On the inspiration of Sarvodaya Seva Ashram, a meeting of villagers of both villages namely Satyanarayan and Bhouti was organised to discuss this grave problem of unavailability of drinking water for livestock and utter food insecurity among them and their children.All of them regarded the shortage of water to be the principal cause of all the problems and decided consensually to enliven the Sighastrot River.

v  Initially 20 villgers from Satyanagar and 15 villagers from Bhouti came forward for digging the river from 21st February 2011.

v  The villagers of other villages situated 5 kms away like Khohar, Turgawan, Pateri and Vinoba nagar were invited who particiapted in this process of enlivening the river in the team of 10 villagers each.

v  This process continued for 15 days

v  Initially, during the process of digging, villagers were facing utter food insecurity and also had insufficient money to purchase ration , hence, Sarvodaya Seva Ashram supported 35 families financially by distributing Rs.200/- per family to purchase of ration from kotedar .

v  Pradhan, Secretary, Junior Engineer of Gram Panchayat Gohiya and Block Development Officer of Mau visited the River's digging site on 25th February 2011 and demotivated villagers by asking them to discontinue the task.

v  On 5th March 2011, around 100 villagers (who are already  job card holders )from Villages Satyanagar, Bhouti and Pateri submitted an application to Gram Pradhan to put this task of digging river under MNREGA and its coresponding copies were sent to BDO of Mau, DM of Chitrakoot   and police Superintendent of Chitrakoot.

v  On 11th march 2011 BDO of Block Mau met these villagers and gave assurance that this task of enlivening Singhstrot River would be paid under MNREGA.

v  Gram Pradhan Mr.Harilal made a financial estimate for digging 500 meters of river and submitted it to Block office .He assured villagers who are job card holders that daily wages under MNREGA would be paid to them very soon.

Outcome/Impact:

·         The task of enlivening Singhastrot River has come under MNREGA.

·         River Singhastrot is in process of regaining its life .8 to 10 outlets of underground water have started pouring water into the river.

·         Every day inhabitants of villages surrounding river, 1500-2000 animals and birds are drinking water from the river Singhstrot.

·         Other communities of Gram Panchayats like Bargarh, Semara, Kotwa, Dodiamafi and Gohur have been motivated and inclined to enliven dead rivers of their respective areas like River Mohna of GP Kotowa and Kohia, River Mada of GP Hadha and River Bhawani of GP Gohur.

Written by Sunita Goel

Society for Social Ventures