Jubilee Post News & Views
Dr. Utkarsh Sinha
#Parmarth Sansthan creates 100 village level model for water conservation
Women carrying earthen pot on head and walking miles to fetch water in Bundelkhand. The photographs that initially were circulated across the world have nothing pleasing. Instead these pictures only narate how much trouble water scarcity gives to people in Bundelkhand region, particularly to women who spent major part of their lives in fetching water for their entire family.
Women walking miles for water only tells us how serious is the issue of water availability in this pocket of the country. The dried up river tell how drought for years has troubled the land and makes us imagine how man living here would be struggling for drop of water.
The main reason for backwardness in Bundelkhand is because of water problem and in the coming years this problem might just aggravate.
To name several rivers pass through Bundelkhand but the region suffers with water scarcity like no other. A key factor for this pathetic situation is the land has rock and plateau forming the landscape.
IN the past 20 years 13 years have passed dry. IN the years 2006, 06, 07, 08 have seen drought in Bundelkhand and this resulted in to major migration. The reason behind migration was water scarcity and lack of option for employment. If the employment is considered the chief source is agriculture that need good soil and adequate water. Bundelkhand region lacks both. Hence people here are compelled to migrate.
“Water conservation is is responsibility of not only the government but community also. Country started facing water scarcity ever since the work of water management was ignored by the community. This problem can be addressed only via collective/community effort. The ‘jal Saheli’ and ‘Paani Panchayat’ model of Parmarth Sansthan are best and most successful model in the country in this direction”
– Sanjay Singh (Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sanstha)
A study reveals four people going out of Bundelkhand region to work as labours die every year at construction sites. Also their children remain deprived of basic education too. Women going out along with the people from Bundelkhand work as domestic help and often cases are reported of exploitation under pressure and fear. Such incidents are reported in Bundelkhand.
Parmarth Samaj Sewi Sansthan has initiated steps and brought over 100 villages out of fear for water. In the past 25 years leading role has been played by the organisation in several districts including Jalaun, Jhansi, lalitpur, hamirpur, Chitrakoot and Mahoba on water conservation.
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In over 600 villages in Bundelkhand water conservation work has been done that includes developing infrastructure. In over 100 villages model for water has been established, which has eliminated problem of water scarcity and facility for irrigation has been improved. Also, with the help of community participation over 1000 big and scmall water structures have been built or rejuvenated.
