WATER WATER for Livelihoods and Health FOREWORD

VISION AKRSP (I)’s Thought Leadership Role in Indian Irrigation “AKRSP () can contribute in India to the creation of an enabling environment in which rural people In recent history of irrigation development in India, a small clutch of NGOs has played a remarkable role in promoting a variety of institutional innovations. Dhan can identify their needs and priorities and with Foundation’s work with tank irrigation in Southern India, Salunke’s work in Maharashtra with equitable water allocation of water including to the landless, Sadguru professional support, organize themselves to improve Foundation’s work on rejuvenating tribal livelihoods through check-dams, etc. are classic examples of NGO leadership in promoting new models of using irrigation for the quality of their lives” livelihood enhancement. However, the contribution of Aga Khan rural Support Programme (India) stands apart in the irrigation livelihood space. Over the past thirty - His Highness the Aga Khan years of existence, AKRSP (I) has forayed into a variety of fields and piloted myriad innovative approaches. I have not had a direct exposure to all of these. However, I have had a first-hand knowledge of several of AKRSP (I)’s early innovative interventions which have opened up new opportunities for rural communities to promote MISSION livelihoods through improved water control. AKRSP (I) was probably the first institution which operationalized participatory irrigation management (PIM) and irrigation AKRSP (India) exists to enable the empowerment of management transfer (IMT). At a time when these approaches were in danger of turning into empty rhetoric, AKRSP (I) successfully demonstrated a new approach to rural communities and groups, particularly the under- PIM and IMT. The lift irrigation cooperative that AKRSP (I) created in Samadhiyala in the mid-1980s continues to stand testimony to AKRSP (I)’s innovative spirit even privileged and women, to take control over their lives today. Similarly, PIM implemented by AKRSP (I) in many medium irrigation systems in Southern such as Pingot, Baldeva, and Issar serve as examples of excellent and manage their environment, to create a better irrigation organizations even today, long after AKRSP (I) withdrew active support to these. and more equitable society VALUES The second area in which AKRSP (I)’s work has produced lasting impact is in community-based groundwater recharge. AKRSP (I)’s work in reviving the Meghal basin in • Empowerment district is a vivid example of this work. Here, AKRSP (I) not only mobilized the basin community to construct, maintain and manage hundreds of small and • Equity large water harvesting structures all over the basin, but also created institutional architecture for basin governance. Finally, in many poor tribal areas, such as Dangs • Transparency in , AKRSP (I) has directly focussed on a range of interventions to target poverty through improved water control. As a strategic partner of Water and • Collaboration Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), AKRSP (I) also played a significant role in implementing rural water supply in many districts wherever it has worked. All • Professional Excellence in all, AKRSP (I) has built itself a formidable reputation in India’s water economy as a thought leader, innovator and institutional experimenter. • Responsive to Change

Tushaar Shah, Principal Scientist and Theme Leader, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 4 5 Water for Livelihoods and health: The AKRSP (I) story

The Context cases a technology needs only a little modification to Table 1: AKRSP(I) Diversity in Context and the water problems We are rapidly moving towards a water crisis, with be effective; but that minimal modification is critical Average Ground increasing and conflicting demands – drinking, to its effectiveness. Programme Community Electricity State Rainfall Slope water Key water problems agriculture, health, sanitation, construction etc. Area Profile for lifting In mm availability In India, the issue is seriously compounded with a AKRSP (I) works in a wide range of contexts in growing population, multiplying needs and unabated India, and this booklet includes a number of such wastage and pollution: all of this within the context initiatives promoted by AKRSP (I) over the past thirty Gujarat - Narmada 800-1400 High uncertain Tribal, small land- Good • Low irrigation of a changing climate. years. Some of these are context specific innovations holdings,70-80% • Low capacity utilisation of canals by staff and local communities; some have been BPL • Non-functioning hand pumps Water if used judiciously can meet the essential needs modified from standardised technologies while • High soil erosion of the growing population. It is also important to some have been learnt from other NGO’s. While • Less capacity for private investment conserve and recycle this scarce resource. Farmers there are many successes, there have been the Dangs 2400 Very high 98%Tribal, rainfed Medium, As above with high siltation of dams through generations knew that water was a common occasional failures too; both of which have provided • 80-90%BPL frequent break resource and had knowledge to conserve and nurture learnings in our journey to help rural communities in supply the resource. Over time, farmers have had to adapt to to better manage their water resources. For reasons the needs of a growing population, and a monetised of brevity, this booklet does not outline all soil Surendranagar 450-600 Medium Medium Multi-caste, OBC Good • Drought-prone, Low groundwater table economy by trying to irrigate whatever land they moisture and water management work done by our • Poor access to potable drinking water have. Erratic rainfall makes “support irrigation” agriculture teams; promotion of SRI (Systemic Root Inland Junagadh / 800-1000 Medium Medium Heterogeneous Good • High water use, Low recharge through water harvesting or better soil moisture Intensification), Conservation Agriculture, etc. It also • Low Access to drinking water management absolutely critical to the survival of does not detail the sanitation and water recycling the crop and the farmers annual income and food work which is recent; and whose story can be better Coastal Junagadh / 800-1000 Low Saline Heterogeneous good • Saline groundwater unfit for drinking and irrigation security. The major challenge for India is the cast written after a few years. Jamnagar variety of contexts in which agriculture is practiced. This means that a standardised, top-down approach The Table 1 gives the different contexts faced by / Ghed 800-1000 Flat High Multi-caste Good • poor drinking water quality, rabi through soil does not work and solutions to irrigation and rural AKRSP (I) while Table 2 shares the key interventions moisture, no groundwater irrigation drinking water supply have to be context specific, and for promoting irrigation and access to potable MP Khandwa 600-1000 Medium Medium Tribal Poor • Low irrigation embedded in the local culture and norms. In some drinking water in the diverse contexts. • Rainfed agriculture • Soil erosion Badwani / 600-800 High Medium Tribal Poor • Denuded forests Khargone • High erosion • Low irrigation Bihar Samastipur / 1000-1400 Nil, flat High Heterogeneous Very poor • Non-potable drinking water Muzaffarpur • High cost of irrigation • Droughts/floods :uncertain agriculture

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 6 7 Table 2: From problems to context –specific solutions

Programme AKRSP (I) interventions: As the table above shows, water related solutions framework for ground water use etc. are also found water issues within a geographical area so as to Key water problems AKRSP(I) Interventions: Irrigation Area Drinking water have been evolved in all the areas where AKRSP (I) in Gujarat. The government approaches and have a multiplier effect on agriculture incomes. Its works in. Drinking water interventions have not yet interventions to tackle these have ranged from large canal irrigation and drinking water work has been Bharuch/Narmada/ • Low irrigation Participatory Canal Management, group wells, • Training youth for hand pump been taken up in MP so far. dams with canals to state promoted water harvesting in collaboration with the government and hence is Districts • Low capacity utilisation of canals mobile engines for lifting, Checkdam for lifting, repairs movements, standard drinking water interventions accompanied by a strong policy thrust. Within these • non-functioning hand pumps Watershed approach • Partnership with WASMO The Foundation: AKRSP (I)’S work in the to the creation of a specialized organisation to range of technologies and uses it has focused on • high soil erosion water sector in Gujarat facilitate in-village water distribution (WASMO: Water addressing issues of gender and class, caste inequity. • less capacity for private investment AKRSP (I) started to work in the three areas of and Sanitation Management Organisation) Hence There are therefore many lessons which may be Dangs • As above with high siltation of dams Repairs of check dams, new boribunds, group wells, • Hamlet based drinking water Surendranagar, Junagadh, and Bharuch in the Mid- solutions as to what works and does not work in available from AKRSP (I)’s experience of what works Watershed approach, gravity irrigation system systems 1980. The rural community mainly comprised of Gujarat not only has significance within the state but and does not work in the water resource sector. • Solar pumping rainfed farmers dependent on agriculture for their also in the country and may be internationally too. Surendranagar • Drought-prone Water harvesting, rehabilitation of Percolation tanks, • Village drinking water livelihoods. Therefore water for irrigation was the After all as the IWMI forecast shows, by 2025 almost Water scenario in Gujarat • Low groundwater table watershed approach, water use efficiency (MIS) distribution system with wasmo, main priority of villagers and the drought of 1986 30% of the world’s population will experience severe • There are wide regional variations in the annual • Poor access to potable drinking water • roof rainwater harvesting and 1987 in Junagadh and Surendranagar (called the water scarcity and entitlement to water may well rainfall ranging from an average of 1,875 mm in structures “drought of the century”) only further reinforced the emerge as a critical challenge affecting food, health Dangs district located in the Southern region to • water testing laboratory importance of water for food and fodder security. and income security of all. 377 mm in parts of Kutch located in the Western Hence water resource development for agriculture region. This is compounded by fluctuations in Junagadh(Inland) High water use Ground water recharge through water harvesting As above • use was a key intervention in the early days. The Range of AKRSP (I)’s work in Gujarat rainfall from year to year, with the coefficient of Low recharge structure, Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) • AKRSP(I) for the last 30 years has evolved towards variation ranging from 25% in Dangs to 80% in Low Access to Drinking Water • Relevance of AKRSP (I)’s work in Gujarat working on a wide range of water related problems Lakhpat taluka of Kutch. Junagadh coastal • Saline groundwater unfit for drinking and irrigation Fresh water recharge, revival of coastal canal, stone As above As Dr. Tushaar Shah, Principal Scientist and Theme as it grapples with the livelihood related issues of bunds & Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) leader, IWMI, said once at a workshop “Gujarat is rural communities in all the three areas of Gujarat. It • Gujarat’s annual renewable per capita water Porbandar(ghed) • poor Drinking Water quality Surface Water storage (farm ponds) As above but no laboratory a microcosm of all the water related problems in the works on surface irrigation issues in South Gujarat availability is 1137 M3. According to the • rabi through soil moisture country”. Because of its wide range of agro-climatic (lift and canal irrigation) and ground water irrigation Falkenmark’s indicator of water scarcity, the State • no ground water irrigation regions and variations in rainfall, the entire range issues in . It’s earlier exclusive focus on is “water stressed”. The water availability is only of water related problems are present in Gujarat. It water for agriculture use has evolved, since the late 474 M3 per capita per annum in Jamnagar • Low irrigation Watershed approach, group wells, water recharge As above but no laboratory has areas of acute water scarcity as also problems of 1990’s to a multi-use water sector planning as it in contrast to 1,937 M3 in South and Central • Rainfed agriculture structures water logging, issues of water quality problems due attempts to address the drinking water scarcity and Gujarat, where nearly 70% of the State’s fresh • Soil erosion to excessive groundwater withdrawal (coastal salinity, quality problems in all three areas. An intervention in water resources are concentrated. Projections for MP • Denuded forests Watershed approach, gravity schemes, water No intervention fluorides and nitrites etc.) as well as hill regions with water-use recycling has also been piloted. 2025 by IWMI show an availability of 700 M3 / • High erosion harvesting structures, group wells, well Deeping high runoff (Dangs). The conflicts between different capita, making Gujarat a ‘crisis’ state. • Low irrigation stakeholders i.e. farmers and city dwellers, agriculture This has also led to greater organizational learning Bihar • Non-potable drinking water Group irrigation(solar pumping), Chaur treatment • Raised platforms and industrialist use, drinking water vs irrigation on water quality issues and how to make village • High cost of irrigation with water storage for support irrigation • Hamlet based community etc. are a reality in this state. The challenges which communities aware of chemical and bacteriological • Droughts/floods :uncertain agriculture drinking water system affect water sector policies in terms of poor pricing, contamination. Through its watershed approach, • Water testing laboratory lack of inter-sectoral institutions, lack of regulatory AKRSP (I) has attempted to integrate land and

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 8 9 • The rainfall is not evenly distributed over the entire rivulets/streams in Junagadh, percolation tanks The 1990’s lift irrigation societies functioned better, for AKRSP (I) wells and treadle pumps, all of which had a lower villages and a few villages in Junagadh became year. In many parts of the State, rainfall occurs (rehabilitation of existing government constructed it was clear that unlike what worked for N M Sadguru cost per farmer and fewer externalities. Similarly in models for others. Ajab village which is a shining over a few rainy days only during monsoon in a few structures, mostly constructed during droughts) Participatory Irrigation Management: Based on the water and development foundation, Lift irrigation Surendranagar, the conflict ridden caste structure example of this approach constructed 42 water erratic showers with wide variations across regions. in Surendranagar and lift irrigation schemes in advice of a senior engineer from the government societies could not be the transformation vehicle in in villages led to time and cost overruns in the large storage structures in a period of 6 months with a For instance, the average number of rainy days is Bharuch. The check dams and percolation tanks (who shared that by getting 1 canal scheme to Bharuch. Percolation Tanks hence the watershed approach very low financial investment from AKRSP (I). This Jal 16 in Kutch as against 75 in Dangs. This nature were for groundwater recharge, and elaborate rules function fully, AKRSP (I) could provide irrigation became more effective. Kranti(water revolution) helped AKRSP(I) increase the of rainfall makes it imperative to capture and store were framed with communities to prevent direct access to more tribal farmers than 5-10 lift irrigation The Watershed Approach: From the encouraging level of peoples’ contribution in these villages. The rainwater to tide over the problem of seasonal and lifting. The government provided the learning in schemes!).AKRSP (I) piloted the rehabilitation of a results of the soil moisture conservation work AKRSP The Drinking water programme: The gender success of pilot projects of DSC and AKRSP(I) helped spatial shortage of water. the first two technologies while the work done by defunct canal irrigation scheme, Pingot ,in tribal (I) shifted to a comprehensive watershed approach sensitization within AKRSP (I) in the mid-1990’s and a in getting state government to pass a resolution on the Sadguru was the source of learning for the Lift Bharuch. The success of this rehabilitation effort led which was most effective in the hilly tribal areas. review of programmes from a gender perspective led promoting PIM in the state. Hundreds of engineers • Increasing water pollution poses one of the biggest irrigation schemes. The early years were spent in to the piloting of five more schemes (four of them With the shift towards a watershed development to two major changes: from government were given exposure and training environmental challenges. Due to indiscriminate ensuring technical quality and getting villagers to in Bharuch/Surat and one in Junagadh). This was a approach, the larger tanks in Surendranagar were • Initiation and scaling up of the drinking water on PIM and much work during those years was on disposal of urban domestic waste and industrial contribute towards the maintenance cost. Since major shift in the way AKRSP(I) worked because canal increasingly replaced with a watershed treatment programme. getting needed policy changes as well as piloting effluents, often untreated or partially treated, these interventions were related to agriculture irrigation required a high degree of collaboration approach focusing on a large number of smaller • Increased involvement of women in irrigation new initiatives in PIM for e.g. promoting volumetric several rivers in the State – notably, Sabarmati, improvement, linkages with agriculture extension with government and commonality of understanding water harvesting and recharge structures, and projects like group wells, percolation tanks and efficiency, involvement of women, getting village Khari, Ambakhadi, Ambica, Damanganga and and savings credit schemes quickly evolved especially between government staff and AKRSP(I). Hence it on-farm soil conservation. Even in Junagadh the even canal irrigation schemes. societies to replace contractors for rehabilitation work Bhadar - show high levels of Biological Oxygen where there was a large labour component in the had to be accompanied by a very concentrated and cumulative impact of a series of small check dams etc. Demand and low levels of dissolved oxygen. work. For all these interventions a maintenance time consuming effort in educating irrigation staff was found to be better than a single large check dam [Please refer to more on drinking water in a fund was created from the labour component and on participatory approaches. In terms of cost benefit and hence there was a gradual shift towards a rivulet separate section below] 2001 onwards • Over the years, steady and phenomenal growth in the savings generated from wage rates were used the added value of intervention was very large and based planning. the number of groundwater extraction structures, to access credit for agriculture inputs. The major with very less funds AKRSP(I) could leverage a high The recharge movement: Spiritual organisations like • While PIM, watershed etc. continued, the major more specifically deep tube wells, have depleted village organisations to emerge were Lift Irrigation government investment and provide irrigation to With support from the large Swadhyay Parivar had initiated a direct well recharge changes in this period were the aquifers. This has resulted in increasing number cooperative societies in Bharuch and male farmer thousands of farmers (relative to the hundred that it initiative on watershed development, (a culmination programme wherein each farmer diverted rain water • The scaling up of the drinking water programme in of blocks falling in the “dark” (annual withdrawal based village groups in Saurashtra. was covering under the LI schemes). Rehabilitation of policy efforts by many NGO’s in the country) and from within their field to their well. Thus, thousands partnership with the newly created WASMO more than 85% of utilizable recharge), “grey” costs ranged from Rs 800-2000/hectare; re-activating the inclusion of NGO’s as Project Implementation of wells in Saurashtra were recharged. AKRSP(I) also • The piloting and scaling up of micro-irrigation (withdrawal between 65 and 85% of utilizable In Jungadh, the soil and moisture conservation (SMC) schemes which had capital investments of Rs 1.5-2.0 Agencies (PIA’s), the watershed approach expanded introduced this technology in villages where other systems recharge) and “over-exploited” (annual withdrawal work with dalit farmers who were given land under lakh/hectare! in all 3 programme areas. AKRSP (I) became a leading NGOs were not present. Subsequently, a few villages • A shift towards regional solutions from single more than utilizable recharge) categories. a land allocation schemes showed the way towards watershed implementation agency in the state and in Saurashtra initiated a water harvesting movement village-based interventions for problems which had piloting in-situ soil moisture conservation work in all The fact that many of the earlier lift irrigation contributed to innovations in practice and policy in wherein people use their own resources to construct a regional spread: coastal salinity and “dying of The learning curve of AKRSP (I)’s evolution areas. It was quickly realized that just treating the societies were not functioning did accelerate the shift this sector. check dams, percolation tanks etc. in their village to rivers”. in the water and watershed sector: farmer’s land, without addressing the erosion in the towards PIM. Irregular and inadequate power supply ensure that all rainwater in the village is harvested. • Work on watershed and irrigation support in the Early years [the mid 1980’s] catchment, was not sustainable, especially in hilly (due to large scale industrialization of the Bharuch Small irrigation schemes: The high costs of LI In this movement, self-reliance was emphasized neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh AKRSP(I) in its attempt to address the water areas. –Ankleswar area), as well as the flourishing of schemes and the dependency on assured electricity and villagers were urged to reduce dependence on related needs of the community tried out three small engines on the upstream river led to a few lift also marked a shift towards smaller less power government. AKRSP (I) sent more than a thousand technologies in the early years. Check dams on irrigation societies closing down and though newer dependent interventions like Check Dams, group villagers on exposure visits to such self-initiated

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 10 11 Water use efficiency promotion farmers and industry (as also mining by industry), River basin Approach for labour work was the most reliable source of electricity for lifting) and poor water quality. open defecation, contamination of the shallow AKRSP (I) first promoted the use of drip irrigation salinity had spread inland and affected groundwater In the Malia block of , while AKRSP household income. groundwater was common. Hence, unlike Gujarat systems by farmers for horticulture and cotton in thousands of villages. Though the Government of (I) had done watershed and water harvesting work The 2 districts (Muzzafarpur and Samastipur) used and MP, AKRSP (I) therefore started with interventions crop in Saurashtra. However for this, farmers had Gujarat had many efforts, the challenge was not only in some villages, villagers kept pointing out that the Since the region and the communities were similar to have many government constructed tube-wells for providing access to safe drinking water first, and to access existing government schemes which are to reduce ingress but also help rural communities river Meghal, passing through the region, was drying to the tribal region of Gujarat, exposure visits of for irrigation which were now defunct because of then addressed the issues of drainage. The drinking highly subsidized but give little value for money. Drip cope with saline water; which made drinking water up. An exposure visit to the work done by Taren MP farmers convinced them about the need for a poor power availability and social cohesion. Medium water story in Bihar shows how innovative, simple, companies provide drip irrigation sets in which many for humans and cattle unpotable. AKRSP (I)’s work Bharat Sangh which was working on reviving rivers, watershed approach with a focus on small water farmers owned dug wells and accessed irrigation. and low cost solutions can be evolved, and scaled up of the components are much too expensive and on the ground and analysis by hydro-geologists showed that working on the river as whole, and not harvesting structures. PIM was also piloted in small With drainage being a problem, water drainage by the communities. there is little towards improving efficiency or cost. showed that arresting, or coastal salinity required just individual villages may help. The journey to irrigation tanks. While the work with support from rather than water harvesting was a priority! Since there were targets given for subsidy allocation, work across aquifers, and not just individual villages. revive the Meghal River started with a “Padyatra” (a external donors showed a good impact, it was The Drinking Water Story of AKRSP (I): scaling of this drip system was largely dependent on It also required work on coping with salinity as well foot march) over 3-4 days from the start of the river obvious that scaling up would require substantial Villages had low-lying areas (chaurs) which were As mentioned earlier, drinking water interventions government quota. Meanwhile, IDE had innovated a as arresting the ingress through freshwater recharge. to its mouth near the sea, and a pledge taken by the support from the government. The implementation submerged in monsoon, and many local NGO’s were first initiated in drought-prone Surendranagar low cost drip irrigation system for small land holdings. AKRSP (I) therefore followed a two-pronged approach hundreds of villagers who had marched, to do all that of the MGNREGA scheme in MP allowed AKRSP had freed this land for cultivation by diverting the and coastal Junagadh in response to the demand AKRSP (I) had experimented with many of these is required to revive the river. Appropriate institutions (I) to work with village panchayats, help them plan submerged water to large ponds where inland from village women. Women had to travel long system but since the major goal of AKRSP (I) was to • Categorise the villages into a. Fully saline, b. were formed (a Meghal core group of volunteers/ for the management of their natural resources to fisheries was promoted (or pond-water used for distances to access water. ensure that large farmers, who consume the bulk of Partially saline and c. Prone to salinity, and leaders) and work on water harvesting, water use increase irrigated area and enhance soil conservation. support irrigation).AKRSP (I) piloted these approached the groundwater become water-use efficient, small implement and pilot many interventions specific to efficiency etc. was taken up on a large scale, much of Subsequently the GOI also initiated a partnership with in 2010-11, but then 3 successive years of drought In coastal Gujarat (Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath scale IDE systems were not the answer.. Fortunately the degree of salinity in the village with in collaboration with government schemes. NGO’s for the Integrated watershed management in a flood prone state meant that irrigation, not and Dwarka districts) large scale groundwater the then launched the • Set up an independent organisation, in programme(IWMP).Work therefore on a watershed drainage, was the priority for the villagers. Group extraction for agriculture and mining has caused Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) (radically collaboration with the Tata Trusts(and Ambuja A study by Shilp Verma and his colleagues from approach expanded substantially ,benefitting wells, initially with diesel engine and now with solar seawater ingress (TDS>500PPM) along the long different from the earlier approach) to promote drip Foundation) called the Coastal Salinity Prevention INREM shows that considerable impact has been thousands of tribal farmers. pumps, provide irrigation to more than a hundred coastline. This had led to diseases such as kidney sets on a large scale which is still active. In coastal Cell which would partner with the state achieved.(ANJALAI-TAKE A PARA FROM THE STUDY- marginal farmers; reducing the individual cost of stones and a decline in agriculture livelihoods. Gujarat, AKRSP (I) promoted village youth, landless Government, other local NGO’s and Research NIRAJ KNOWS THIS),both in terms of enhanced real A range of interventions were tried out; Group irrigation as well as providing access to those who This is a region of high “water poverty”. Average or marginal farmers, to become micro-irrigation institutes to evolve and facilitate large scale incomes, equitable access to water and revival of river wells, Bori-bunds, Gabion structures and a large cannot afford their own wells. expenditure per household on health costs due to entrepreneurs with their own shops in the market. solutions in coastal villages. flow. number of small Check dams were implemented salinity was Rs 6533/[1] annum. These entrepreneurs linked farmers with GGRC, with government funding; and the integration of When AKRSP (I) started work in 2008, it was provided installation and repairs services, and focused AKRSP (I)’s implementation work has now expanded Madhya Pradesh agriculture extension with watershed ensured that confronted with the fact that while there was on small, remote farmers not normally covered by to 3 coastal districts, and largely focuses on access to AKRSP (I) started working in the districts of Burhanpur community contribution plenty of water, there was such high bacteriological government extension programmes. potable drinking water, promotion of water efficiency and Khandwa in 2004, and gradually expanded contamination (98% of the sampled hand pumps) devices and low-water use agriculture, and freshwater to Khargone, Badwani and Dhar (with a pilot PIM The Bihar story: a paradigm shift that this emerged as the highest priority. The Coastal Salinity: Gujarat has 1600 km coastline, the recharge through water harvesting structures and project in Sehore).The communities in these regions Unlike MP, Bihar was as different from Gujarat as one bulk of the villagers incomes was being spent on longest in the country, and because of its peculiar rehabilitation of government coastal link canal. were tribal, rainfed, with medium-sized land-holdings could imagine. Flood-prone, flat terrain, very small doctors for treating water-borne diseases. During geology and large scale groundwater extraction by and low incomes from agriculture. Migration land-holdings and high groundwater (but almost no good rains, most villages were inundated, and with [1] Impact of High Incidence of Kidney Stone-a study of coastal villages in Junagadh, Gujarat by Rajnarayan Indu and Alka Rawal.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 12 13 AKRSP (I)’s drinking water approach seeks to address succeeded in getting state government to fund system is completed, collection of water charges and Water quality Gujarat. This centre has a facility to undertake varied Due to soil’s low water absorption capacity, waste the problems of water access and water quality. A NGOs to promote decentralised drinking water maintenance of the system are also its major roles. All Water quality came up as an issue when the same type of tests related with water quality; Chemical test water of the hand pump is pooled near the source key component of the work on water quality is the structures which was a paradigm shift in state policy. Pani Samitis meet their operational costs and some of was raised by women in the target area. Women Physical Test (Turbidity) and Biological Test. itself, making it highly contaminated. Collectively, system of measuring quality in a scientific manner In Bharuch a survey showed that the drinking water them have their own corpus fund also for expansion/ mentioned several indicators which pointed towards stagnant surface water, poor sanitation conditions and then addressing the issues of poor quality. problem was due to lack of repair and maintenance major repairs. The average annual collection by some problem with the quality of water. Some of In addition to the above, mass awareness about water and absence of drainage around water sources The key interventions promoted by AKRSP (I) in of hand pumps (which had been constructed in the pani samiti is Rs 35000/- which fully covers all these pointers were milk getting sour when boiled, quality and related issues are taken up through cable leads to permanent ground water contamination. In Gujarat to address the drinking water access are abundance but with no accessible maintenance operational costs. The water committees formed dirtying of utensils, itching of skin, dying of plants network, pamphlets and during trainings. Secondly, 2009-10, AKRSP (India) examined water sources in systems in place). AKRSP (I) therefore trained village not only contribute to the capital cost but also do when regularly watered etc. Before 2001, a mobile they communicate the results in local language to its intervention areas in Samastipur and Muzaffarpur • Roof rain water harvesting structures at the men and women to repair hand pumps and provided the entire post-infrastructure management with testing kit (Jal-Tara) was utilized for testing water all the affected families. A chart has been developed districts of Bihar. The results revealed bacterial household level them with tool kits. Many hand pumps were repaired water charges. Government of Gujarat also directly quality. The kit, however, had a limitation in terms of depicting the causes and effect of each water contamination in nearly 85 per cent of the sources. • Village drinking water distribution systems in by these entrepreneurs who were paid by panchayats recognizes and supports them for maintenance. the range of quality results it could measure. For a quality issue. Thirdly, Chlorine tablet distribution is collaboration with WASMO. or village organizations. AKRSP (I)’s role was confined complete test, the sample had to be taken to other taken on a large scale. The lab, thus, is engaged in Based on these results, a variety of interventions to providing refresher trainings and building up AKRSP (I) first partnered WASMO in the districts. Till year 2006, there were only eight drinking the whole process of water quality assurance right were introduced including construction of concrete Drinking water schemes: The early days linkages. in 42 villages, and then water testing laboratories catering to the 24 districts from sample collection, testing and dissemination of platforms near hand pumps and setting of mini Roof Rain water Harvesting Structures (RRWHS) partnered with CSPC, Pravah to lobby with WASMO of Gujarat and all the samples from Surendranagar results to preventive and remedial measures for water water testing laboratories to provide safe, potable AKRSP(I)’s increased focus on coastal salinity issues The all-village drinking water supply intervention: set up a separate programme for Coastal regions were tested at . treatment. These centres also cater to other agencies drinking water. However, studies revealed that led then to address water quality issues for villagers WASMO collaboration as the standard approach was not suitable there. like GWSSB, WASMO, PRAVAH, Coastal Salinity Cell providing platform to every hand pump was difficult, residing in saline areas. Learning from other NGOs Thanks to pilots done by Uthan-mahiti with the Dutch Thanks to visionary bureaucrats in the government, a The water quality problem related with water supply etc. and did not fully resolve the water quality problem. like Utthan and from village communities who had government and the government of Gujarat, the separate MOU was done between CSPC and WASMO systems particularly in the context of ground water Consequently, a need was felt to develop an tried out indigenous water recharge techniques, government was convinced that sustained drinking and a Coastal Area Development Programme (CADP- sources were identified as Water with excessive However, since the capital cost was high, AKRSP alternative model that shall provide safe and potable AKRSP(I) piloted and then scaled up the roof rain water solutions required community participation 1) was launched for 250 villages in coastal Gujarat. fluoride, excessive salinity, and excessive nitrates. (I) innovated low-cost laboratory which focused on water to the ultra-poor with no extra burden on water harvesting/storage (RRWHS) tank for individual right from the beginning, and women could play On completion of this phase, which was a partial testing on a few key parameters found in a particular health expenses. In this context, AKRSP (India) piloted households as well as the percolation cum drinking a major role here. Hence it created a separate success, lessons were drawn on how all partners It was also understood that due to poor water area. This mini-laboratory was started at Mangrol two different models of Community Owned Mini well. RRWHS was a revival of a traditional technology para-state organisation called WASMO (Water and could improve and what components could be handling and sanitation practices at the source for testing saline water in coastal areas, and this was Drinking Water Supply System (COMDWSS) with used in many parts of Gujarat, and in many temples, Sanitation Management Organisation) in 2002 added (sanitation, water recharge etc.)the second and at the household, drinking water was often replicated by CSPC with 4 other NGO’s along the financial support of European Commission and Water to store and use rainwater for drinking. and appointed an IFS officer to head it. The post- phase of 350 villages was also started. AKRSP (I) contaminated. Poor quality of drinking water meant Gujarat Coast. Aid in two different gram Panchayats of Samastipur earthquake rehabilitation was a major task, and was a field partners in these phases, and provided adverse effect on health leading to negative impact and Muzaffarpur districts. The aim of COMDWSS is to In Surendranagar, in addition to the RRWHS , WASMO partnered with credible NGO’s to work with potable drinking water in more than 100 villages in on overall well-being of the community. The Bihar laboratories: provide safe, potable water 24x7 with less wastage. underground check dams to recharge “virdas” (a village panchayats and their sub-committees (the the coastal areas. CADP has changed the way coastal When AKRSP (I) started working in Bihar where water AKRSP (I) chose to work in these areas because of traditional method of accessing drinking water in Pani samiti or water committee).The Pani Samitis (a villages address their drinking water problems, and Water testing laboratory quality, not quantity was a constraint, it established the impact of poor groundwater quality on rural river beds through shallow dug wells) was started as sub-committee of the village Panchayat) with at least now sanitation, behavioral change and recharge for In 2007, AKRSP (I) set up the ‘Nirmala’ Water Testing mini- laboratories there also.Availability of safe communities, especially women and underprivileged. well as other recharge methods were successfully one-third women members plan the intervention, drinking water structures has become part of the Laboratory in Sayla. This was for the first in the state drinking water is a major problem in Bihar, one of While its integrated approach includes water recharge introduced. AKRSP (I) then actively contributed to collect the contribution, interact with the government integrated water and sanitation approach. that Water Quality Testing was taken up by an NGO. the poorest Indian states. In the rural northern Bihar, and sustainable agriculture practices, a critical priority the policy advocacy work done by a NGO network on department and selects and supervises the contractor The permission to establish a District level Laboratory shallow hand pumps are the predominant source for the communities was access to potable water. drinking water issues called PRAVAH. This network for the implementation of the intervention. After the by AKRSP (India) was provided by the Govt. of (around 87 % of the total stock) of drinking water. Hence the following activities were chosen

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 14 15 • Assessing the water quality through setting up of capacity water tanks are installed within the defined using unsafe, impure water. Simultaneously, based on Table 3: From Pilots to Mainstreaming: Partnership for scaling up mini-water testing laboratories geographical location. These tanks are mounted on requirements, a team of engineers draw a detailed • Based on the results, working with communities for elevated structures and each COMDWSS is equipped outline for the functionality of COMDWSS, which Pilot Other Partners Mainstreaming behavioral change with four to six auto lock water taps. A bore well is presented in a common meeting. After reaching • Partnering with village panchayats, women groups (ranging from 300 – 350 feet depth) is dug and water a consensus, a Water User Group (WUG) is formed and government agencies to fund and implement is lifted through 2HP electrical submersible pump. to ensure optimum utility and timely community PIM in South Gujarat • DSC, Water Resource • PIM Act in 1994 in Gujarat low cost interventions of safe drinking water and Water from all the layers of the bore well is tested contribution from users of each stand post and tank. • Department(WRD), • Government of Gujarat support for NGO’s doing PIM facilitation sanitation at the organization’s mini water testing laboratory The WUG thus formed, usually consists of 5 – 7 • GOG on 10 different parameters of bacterial and chemical selected members who are responsible for collection Community contribution in • Saurashtra NGOs. • Jaldhara movement In Bihar, after a Tola Sabha, the Jal Swasth Samiti contamination. of pre-determined water usage charges (in most check Dams of Junagadh • WRD Department, GOG • 60:40 Sardar Patel Water Harvesting Scheme of GOG with 40% community contribution is formed at the hamlet level which is involved cases, Rs.10 per month). in water testing and deciding the location of the Community is informed about the water quality. To Rehabilitation of percolation District government Large scale contribution / rehabilitation of Percolation Tanks in nearby blocks intervention. The ward member of the panchayat ensure transparency, test results, tank capacity and Mainstreaming the pilots • • tanks in Surendranagar is a part of this and is involved in the planning. The financial assistance information is painted on the For any NGO, one of the goals is to influence other main role of the committee is monthly collection structure. stakeholders so that the solutions which have been Community managed drinking • CSPC (Tata Trust) partners • Over 500 villages covered under CADP projects (Phase 1,2) with Government of Gujarat owned by the community are scaled up, making community contribution, water charges and ensuring This model was catered to the water requirements water in Coastal Gujarat • WASMO and CSR funding maintenance. In each of the activities, community benefits available to a larger number of villagers of around 50 households. Later, a need was felt to than what the NGO can reach on its own. To that Roof Rain Water Harvesting • Uthan • Initiated by Uthan, NGO partners (including AKRSP (I)) and Pravah network convinced GOG or beneficiary contribution is mandatory to ensure design a structure that serves around 150 households. Structure • Pravah WASMO provide support villagers by providing partial subsidy for RRWHS. In Gujarat, more than their ownership. For example, in mini drinking water extent, AKRSP (I) has continuously strived to influence Hence, a model was designed for hamlets with high external stakeholders, especially the government. The 50,000 RRWHS done. supply system, community contribution is nearly 15% density population having scattered settlement. of the total unit cost (Rs 30-45000/) while for water table below shares some examples where such efforts Herein, various stand posts are erected in different have borne fruit. led to lower costs per HH and better management • The introduction of drinking water programme has Madhya Pradesh has helped. sample testing, individual beneficiary contributes settlements and are connected through PVC 50% of the total unit cost (Rs. 35/test). In all these cases, partnerships with likeminded with smaller group size. given a whole new dimension to the water use • In Surendranagar, most of the percolation tanks pipelines. Each stand post is equipped with two auto organisations has been the key to the mainstreaming • In some way we also moved in the reverse direction planning in the village. Prioritization of drinking constructed have been converted by the community lock taps and specially designed platform to collect success. These partners have been other NGO’s, i.e. from lift to canal irrigation systems where a water vis-à-vis irrigation at the village level has to irrigation tanks. Therefore, the learning that The Bihar COMDWSS Model water, optimally. At present, this model of erecting In Bihar, the mini-drinking water supply scheme is trusts, and government organisations. collaborative approach with the government has slowly emerged. This has also led to a greater water resource development for groundwater stand posts is being promoted and accepted. yielded rich dividends and led to major policy awareness and monitoring of water quality issues recharge is not sustainable unless there is a major designed to be low-cost (Rs 3500/HH) and therefore Lessons learnt easy to fund by the government (whose average cost changes. within the organisation. effort to reduce demand for ground water has led Community Ownership Over the last 30 years, some major learnings which • A water recharge movement can do far more • The continuous attempts to address gender and to a gradual shift in focus towards promoting water is almost twice). Community contributes 10% to It is believed that community ownership is the key have taken place in the water resource programme the capital cost and pays the mini-laboratory Rs 35/ numbers than individual village based approach. class equity issues has led to development of group use efficiency devices etc. to sustainability and hence, community has been and watershed programme: The Jal Kranti movement and the river basin well schemes (which often provide irrigation to • Micro-irrigation devices can best be promoted test (which now covers all the operational costs of involved to manage the operation and maintenance the laboratory). Water charges from the community approach in which the ownership for water landless tribals owning their homestead lands) through an entrepreneurial approach with some of the structures. To begin with, mapping of every • After the initial success of large lift irrigation harvesting within the village shifts from the state/ treadle pumps as well as involving women in small state support for capital cost as in Gujarat. ensure that there is no dependency on AKRSP (I) for hamlet is systematically done on various indicators schemes, we have found in south Gujarat (including the maintenance of the drinking water systems. NGO to the village community. This has led to low and large irrigation projects. and the results are discussed with the communities. Dangs) that smaller systems work best for villagers cost structures for water harvesting. For AKRSP • Watershed approaches have now become Water quality testing and awareness is an integral Then the community mobilization process starts with to manage. The power supply problems are easier Initially, a model was piloted wherein two high (I) staff this marked a paradigm shift from an internalized in many areas, and the high part of any drinking water intervention and should be awareness generation on the risks and hazards of to address and so is the water distribution. This has implementation role to a facilitative role. involvement of NGO’s in states like Gujarat and a rule, not an exception.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 16 17 Interventions Undertaken

Ground Water Irrigation Watershed Drinking Water Recharge

Participatory (Canal) River Basin Contour Trench Roof Rain Water Harvesting Structures Irrigation Management Management (RRWHS)

Lift Irrigation Check dam Contour Bund Cluster storage

Mini Lift Irrigation Percolation tank Farm Bund/Stone Village water supply Bund schemes

Boriband Gully Plug Community Owned Mini Drinking Water Supply Scheme (COMDWSS)

Farm Pond Gabion Structure Water testing

Group well Land Levelling Hand pump repairing

Solar Pump

Micro Irrigation Systems

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 18 19 PARTICIPATORY (Canal) IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

Chopadvav Canal Irrigation

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 20 21 PARTICIPATORY (Canal) IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

Main canal of Choupdav

Control Chamber of the Canal Waste weir of Chopadavav Dam President of Chopadvav Canal irrigation Society Dhirsingh dada (extreme left)

The chopadvav dam is located on river Vaghti in The problem Sagbara taluka of in Gujarat. This During the 1980’s, despite huge government is a medium scale irrigation project completed at investment on surface irrigation , the overall a cost of Rs. 90.82 million. Although the dam was efficiency and utilization of the canal irrigation completed in 1985, there were several problems systems in the state had been low. Most of the due to which the dam was not operational. Main minor irrigation schemes with a command area canal works as well as outlet repairs were not done of less than 1000 hectare were not functional. In before handing over the system to the villagers most irrigation projects, the tail enders did not get by the government. In 1994, AKRSP(I) formed an access to irrigation water. The main reason for this irrigation society. Most of the repairing work was was low involvement of the primary stakeholders, then done by AKRSP(I), farmers and the society. One the farmers who use the canal system. of the major gains of AKRSP(I) intervention has been the introduction of hydroplus gates for extra water storage. The command area of this system is 1021 hectare.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 22 23 PARTICIPATORY (Canal) IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

Canal Irrihation of

Canal Repair work at Khalwa Block, Madhya Pradesh Canal Irrigation Canal Rehabilitation

The Intervention Policy Influencing AKRSP(I) initiated Participatory irrigation management It was due to these successful pilot projects processes in South Gujarat from the late eighties and implemented AKRSP(I) and other NGO’s like formed the first Canal Irrigation Society in Pingot in the DSC, that the Gujarat government passed 1990. The main work included physical rehabilitation a resolution promoting Participatory Irrigation of the system like lining of the main canals, repair Management (PIM) in 1995 work on siphon leakage, canal disiltation, gate repairing installation as wells as the social aspects of irrigation management. All these efforts have helped in checking wastage of water and a resultant extension of benefit to a large number of households.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 24 25 LIFT IRRIGATION (LI)

River as a water source at Samariyala, Junagadh

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 26 27 LIFT IRRIGATION (LI)

Beneficiary farms, Samariyala, Junagadh

Chakhaji-LI Bihar Main delivery chamber of Ambli lift irrigation, Bharuch Lift irrigation in village in South gujarat

Lift irrigation is a method of irrigation -in which water A typical structure has 80 to 150 beneficiaries and is lifted with pumps or other means from a source the command area of 30 to 100 hectare. The cost of say a river or dam etc. and then distributed to the installation of such a structure is between 25 to 40 farms of the beneficiaries. Lift irrigation schemes lakhs. must accomplish two main tasks: first, to carry water by means of pumps from the water source These structures have been promoted at Junagadh, to the main delivery chamber, which is situated at Surendranagar, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, The Dangs the top most point in the command area. Second. district at Gujarat, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani and they must distribute this water to the field of the Burhanpur dsitrticts of Madhya Pradesh. beneficiary farmers by means of a suitable and proper distribution. Various such structures have been installed in AKRSP(I) field areas to provide facility of irrigation to farmers to mitigate production losses due to vagaries of rainfall and thereby increase the productivity and income from agricultural activities.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 28 29 Mini Lift Irrigation (Mini LI)

Rivulet as source for Nadakkhadi Mini LI scheme

Beneficiaries resting after paddy harvest Beneficiaries working at farms of Nadakhadi Mini LI Nagli (Finger millet crop at beneficiary village)

Mini Lift irrigation is a small scale lift irrigation scheme A typical structure has 7 -12 beneficiaries and in which water of a rivulet or small stream is lifted command area of 8 -15 acre. The cost of installation with a pump set and then distributed to the farms of such a structure is between Rs. 1.5 to 3 lakhs of the beneficiaries. Various such structures have been installed in AKRSP(I) field areas to provide facility These structures have been promoted at Dangs of irrigation to farmers to mitigate production losses District in Gujarat due to vagaries of rainfall and thereby increase the productivity and income from agricultural activities.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 30 31 Bori band

Bori band at Gadu

Bori band at Gadu Bori band Bori band

About this structure A typical structure has 40 to 100 beneficiaries and Boribands are temporary structures built across the command area of 40 to 100 hectare(including indirect stream to harness base flows for irrigation, thereby benefit also) . The cost of installation of such a improving agricultural productivity and increasing structure is between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 10,000 recharge of ground water in downstream areas of water bodies. It is a low cost intervention which This intervention has been undertaken by AKRSP (I) requires mud or sand filled boris or sacks to be placed at Narmada, Bharuch, Surendranagar, Junagadh, and across small check dams to harness additional water The Dangs district of Gujarat, Khandwa, Khargone, for irrigation purposes. Bhuranpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 32 33 Farm Pond

Farm pond at Madhya Pradesh

Farm Pond under construction stage - Surendranagar Farm Pond at Surendranagar Farm Pond at Madhya Pradesh

About this structure A typical structure has 1 to 2 beneficiaries and A farm pond of about 15m*20m*1m would result command area of 2 to 4 acres. The cost of installation in conservation of 3 lakh litres of water in one filling. of such a structure Is between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. These are very effective for water conservation 50,000 and irrigation services during deficient or irregular rainfall. The main purpose of farm pond is to provide This intervention has been undertaken by AKRSP (I) protective irrigation to Kharif crop. It also helps in at Narmada, Bharuch, Surendranagar, Junagadh, and moisture conservation and prevents top soil loss from The Dangs district of Gujarat, Khandwa, Khargone, the fields. Bhuranpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 34 35 Group WELL

Group well to support Irrigation

Construction of group well at Madhya Pradesh Construction of group well in South Gujarat Well Deepening at Madhya Pradesh

About this structure A typical structure has 4- 8 beneficiaries and a Groups wells are made with the objective of providing command area of 4 -10 acre. The cost of installation assured irrigation to small group of farmers with of such a structure is between Rs. 1.5 to 3 lakhs integrated approach towards enhancing incomes from both farm and farm allied activities by This intervention has been undertaken by AKRSP (I) optimizing available land, water and human resource. at Narmada, Bharuch, Surendranagar, Junagadh, and Well deepening activity is also undertaken to The Dangs district of Gujarat, Khandwa, Khargone, increase availability of water for irrigation purpose. Bhuranpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Well Sealing activity has also been undertaken in Junagadh to prevent salinity ingress in Drinking water wells.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 36 37 Solar pump

Solar pump at Madhya Pradesh

Solar pump at Madhya Pradesh

About this structure A typical structure has 20-35 beneficiaries and has a Solar pumps are used to pump water from irrigation command area of 20-25 acres. The cost of installation source to field. The use of solar pump is being of this structure is between Rs. 5 – 7.5 lakhs. promoted by AKRSP(I) in field areas as use of solar pumps instead of diesel pumps to harness water This intervention has been successfully promoted by for irrigation purposes will help reduce both cost AKRSP(I) in Madhya Pradesh and plans are underway of production (savings in form of money spent on to pilot the same in Gujarat and Bihar also. diesel fuel consumed for pumping) and provide environmental benefits also. Bye laws are established in consultation with community to ensure that over exploitation of water resources does not take place.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 38 39 Micro Irrigation Systems

Sprinkler sets in operation at Junagadh

Shop set up by an entrepreneur in Junagadh to adress drip irrigatio Demonstration of fertigation by Govind bhai Bhupat bhai Gobar bhai brother monitoring drip drop at village and organic farming needs of farmers Navagam bavalia

The Problem The intervention of the system. This system has proved to be very Though the organization has undertaken many Thus in 2001, promotion of drip and sprinkler effective in the successful scaling up. These systems interventions like construction of check dams, systems was under taken in Junagadh district. have been promoted at other field areas as well. percolation tanks etc. for reviving ground water Initially, a lot of hiccups were faced due to high levels, however However field experiences showed cost of setup of these systems and inefficiencies Drip system benefits are accrued to an individual that with an increasing population there was no way in government subsidy systems. To tackle these farmer. The cost of installation for this system is Rs. that supply could always meet the growing demand. problems AKRSP (I) developed entrepreneur based 45,000 – Rs. 50,000 per acre This intervention has Also given the geography of work, i.e. the drought extension model, where AKRSP(I) initially supports been promoted by AKRSP (I) at Junagadh, Jamnagar, prone Saurasthra regions or the salinity affected areas a willing an enterprising local financially by helping Mangrol, Surendranagar, Wankaner, Morbi, Bharuch, of coastal Gujarat, the need was felt to focus on in setting up a shop, and by providing technical Dangs district of Gujarat groundwater management. knowledge of installation and maintainenece

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 40 41 River Basin Management

Meghal River passing through Samariyala Village Map of Meghal River basin

Construction of Boriband ongoing in a stream of Meghal for recharge Farmers reap good crop harvests after revival of Meghal River Basin Boribund and irrigation utility

The Problem The Intervention departments of the Government of Gujarat), over Once perennial, the Meghal River in Junagadh had In late 90’s, AKRSP (India) started Meghal River thousand water harvesting structures have been begun (in early 80’s) to dry down due to erratic Basin Project with an objective to revive Meghal created in this small river basin. Many of these are rainfall coupled with overexploitation of groundwater. River. It promoted a river basin wide group very small in size; more than 90 percent having This had led to scarcity of drinking water and drying of committed village leaders which formed storage capacity of less than 5 MCFT. Together, up of irrigation wells in around 64 villages in the a “core group” and undertook various mass these structures – small check dams, bori bandhs, catchment of the entire basin which is spread over awareness efforts including a massive padyatra, percolation tanks, recharge wells – have reconfigured 471 sq. km. The severe drought of 1987 in Saurashtra street performances, and other traditional the hydrology of the basin. The repair work done by AKRSP (India) on the Check dam in Maliya has followed by few more years of low rainfall and communication approaches. benefited communities in the nearby villages with drought of 1992 worsened the situation. People were Along with the support of other institutions water availability for drinking and irrigation purposes. desperate to find a way out and were willing to do (NGOs, philanthropic organizations and various And the temporary structures (bori bandhs) have anything to have water flowing into their wells. enhanced the quantum of recharge benefits.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 42 43 River Basin Management

Boriband on a check dam at Meghal river stream

Check dams constructed along various streams of Meghal river to River Widenining work in streams of Meghal River River Deepening in streams of Meghal River recharge water

From 2002 onwards, AKRSP (India) has taken up a Impact Promoting Self-reliance range of interventions like Hydrological: Overall, when we look at the basin AKRSP (India)’s systematic exit in 2012 from the direct • promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation using a 20 year rainfall record, it is clear that basin role in planning and implementing activities has • Improved land and water management practises level water harvesting activity has contributed presented space and opportunity to the Core Group • Construction and management of bori bandhs to significantly to drought proofing and to improving to function autonomously. They have constructed enhance the impact of decentralized storages water security. bori-bandhs on their own or with support from local • Support and encouragement for the formation of traders Meghal Core Group and the large number of local Socio Economic: There has been ~10.50 % annual institutions at the village level growth in agricultural output; and an increase The Core Group has since been leading the • Creation and propagation of a river basin identity in cropping intensity from 1.50 to 1.96 between movement and has been influencing thousand of • Capacity building of local village leaders in the 2000-01 and 2010-11. The value of output per lives, positively management of the local and basin water resources hectare has more than doubled during the same and in resolution of upstream-downstream conflicts time period. It has been estimated that the check • Promotion of basin wide water ethic etc dams constructed by AKRSP (India) in the Meghal • Drinking water structures with rural women river basin directly contribute to value creation in • Agriculture extension agriculture equal to Rs. 15.86 crores per year.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 44 45 Check Dams

Kakdiamba check dam, Narmada district

Check Dam at Madhya Pradesh Repair of Kakdiamba check dam Check Dam at Madhya Pradesh

Construction of check dams helps in controlling gully construction of check walls , which are small sized erosion. Check dams serves mainly two purposes: check dams for narrower streams is also undertaken. the first is to provide direct irrigation when rain fails, and the second is to facilitate the recharging of A typical structure has 15 to 25 beneficiaries surrounding wells through percolation of water. Small and command area of 20 to 25 acre. The cost of check dams capacity to conserve water is from 0.01 - construction is between Rs. 5-25 lakhs. 0.1 mcft (million cubic feet). AKRSP (I) had done work in Junagadh, Narmada, A major work undertaken by AKRSP(I) along with Bharuch and the Dangs district of Gujarat and construction of new check dams has been the repair Khandwa, Khargone, Bhuranpur district of Madhya of existing defunct check dams. Along with these, the Pradesh.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 46 47 Percolation Tank

Storage of check dam/percolation tank.

Dhamrasala Percolation tank at Surendranagar, Gujarat Percolation tank Tank-Sayla

Percolation tanks are constructed for recharging has undertaken construction as well as renovation, groundwater. Such structure are usually made on repairs of percolation tanks since its very initiation. the upper part of the catchment area. Water stored here percolates to wells and tube wells located in A typical structure has 50 -100 beneficiaries and the lower part of the catchment. Such dams can a command area of 50 -100 acres. The cost of also be made in the immediate upstream portion of construction is Rs. 10- 50 lakhs wells and tubewells. Depending on the capacity of the dam and duration of water storage, the dam can AKRSP (I) had done work in Narmada, Bharuch have secondary benefits that are vital to the livelihood and the Dangs district of Gujarat and Khandwa, security of marginal farmers and laborers. AKRSP (I) Khargone, Bhuranpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 48 49 Watershed Development

Watershed Development at Madhya Pradesh

ContinuousContour trench at Madhya Pradesh Staggered Contour trench at Madhya Pradesh Contour bund at Madhya Pradesh

A watershed can be visualized as a landscape shaped Contour Trenches Contour Bunds unevenly like a bowl or basin. When it rains ,water It is constructed in the ridge area of a watershed. Earthen or loose stone bund embankment is laid flows down from the top of this bowl to collect at Rainwater ,which falls in this area flows across the slope or along the contours to control the bottom. The undulating land area of any region unchecked carrying with it eroded soil into the water runoff and retain the moisture of the soil. This forms several such units, each of which are called flatter portion of the watershed – the “valley”. activity helps increase the soil fertility, base flow and watersheds. Water within each of these units drains This silt gets deposited into reservoirs and ponds, potential of Ground Water. to a common point. So the hills, valleys, forests reducing their life. Thus, any water harvesting and fields that encircle the failing rain and guide it work undertaken in the valley will become into streams and then rivers, all form the enclosure meaningless unless appropriate measures such that is a watershed. Watershed Development thus as contour trenching are undertaken to control encompasses a variety of activities undertaken to runoff and soil erosion in the ridge. ontour reduce soil erosion, improve soil nutrient, increase trenches collect the rainwater that falls in the capacity to capture and store rainwater, thereby ridge area. This way the soil moisture profile in the leading to conservation regeneration and the area adjacent to the trench is improved. judicious use of resources. Myiads of interventions have been carried out by AKRSP(I) in various geographies which have been explained below:

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 50 51 Watershed Development

Gabion Structures at Madhya Pradesh

Stone bund at Gadu Land levelling at Madhya Pradesh Gully plug at Madhya Pradesh

Farm bunds and sol. The main aim of constructing loose gabions are made can be converted into cultivable These are constructed on agricultural land with the boulder checks is to reduce the velocity of water land after two to three years, hence they help aim of arresting soil erosion and improving the soil flowing through the drainage line. By reducing the increase the area of cultivable land. moisture profile. Ideally, bunds on farms should be velocity of runoff, boulder checks help in reducing made on contour line. But this sometimes creates soil erosion, trapping silt which slows the rate Land Leveling several problems for farmers. Contour bunds divide of siltation in water harvesting structures in the It consists of construction of step-like fields along the field into irregular sections hence making it lower reaches of the watershed. Therefore, the contours by half cutting and half filling. The original difficult to maneuver bullocks, line sowing etc. In capacity of the water harvesting structures created slope of the land is converted into level fields. It helps Junagadh bunds are made from stone as they provide downstream on the drainage line is utilized more in reducing the runoff, velocity and soil erosion. It also more stability and better arrest soil and moisture than fully as they get many more refills. works towards conservation of soil moisture, fertility earthen bunds. They are slowly being replaced by and also facilitates modern cropping patterns. earthen bunds due to lack of availability to stone. Gabion structures These are rock and wire dams constructed across Gully Plug drainage lines with a catchment of 50 – 500 This type of water harvesting structure is made in ha. They are also constructed to reinforce highly small nala/stream by using locally available stones erodable stream embankments. A land on which

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 52 53 Drinking Water

Acute water scarcity in the 90’s - Long queues of people drawing water from well

Women travelling long distances to fetch water Women waiting for water to come – Vadala village, Junagadh Woman filling water from Virda - Virdas are swallow wells which serve as the only source of drinking water during drought

The Problem The intervention In the early 1990’s, AKRSP(I) found that drinking AKRSP(I) added drinking water intervention in its water was emerging as a key problem in the coastal program in the early 90’s and it has since then regions of Gujarat due to salinity ingress and taken up various technological interventions recurrent droughts and rapid pace of groundwater which it has scaled up over a period of time. irrigation also led to the acute water scarcity in the Over the years, it has developed partnership with drought prone villages of Surendranagar district. government, local Panchayats and women groups Since traditionally women are given the role of to develop context specific technologies. The collection of water, women bear the burnt of the various technologies promoted over the years are water scarcity, often travelling for hours in collection highlighted here. of water. Besides increasing their drudgery, the health of the family also affected and all together led to higher drop out rate of girl students in education, poor health, migration and other social conflicts.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 54 55 Drinking Water Roof Rain water harvesting system

RRWHS at Surendranagar, Gujarat

Construction of RRWHS RRWHS at Junagadh RRWHS

Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting is the technique The structure supports drinking water needs of a through which rain water is captured from the roof beneficiary household during the summer season. The catchments and stored in reservoirs. costing of the structure ranges from Rs. 30,000 for 7,000 liter capacity and Rs. 45,000 for 10,000 liter The size of the tank is generally decided based capacity. on roof area , amount of rain fall and the family size however, 7,000 liter to 10,000 liter capacity This Intervention has been undertaken at storage tanks are suggested. The underground tank Surendranagar, Junagadh, Narmada, Bharuch and the is normally round in shape covered with RCC slab Dangs district of and a potable hand pump is installed to draw water Gujarat from the tank. A manhole cover of 2 feet X 2 feet is provided at top of covering slab to allow space for its cleaning operations.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 56 57 DRINKING WATER Cluster storage

Cluster storage tank at Surendranagar, Gujarat Cluster Storage Cluster Storage tank

Cluster storage tanks are underground tanks planned The structure supports drinking water requirements to be large enough to suffice the need for drinking of 20-25 households, has1 5,0000-20,000 litres water for a cluster of households staying in a specific water storage capacity and costs approximately Rs. part of the village. These tanks are fitted with 1,00,000. hand pumps or stand posts to draw water and the responsibility of the upkeep and the maintenance This intervention has been undertaken at is to be shared by all the households that draw Surendranagar district in Gujarat water from these tanks. These storage tanks act as a complementary source along with existing systems Cluster storage tank at Surendranagar, Gujarat in the village and are envisaged to help households during shortage of water from other sources.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 58 59 DRINKING WATER VILLAGE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Village water Supply Scheme reduces drudgery of women

Village water supply scheme at Mangrol,Junagadh Village water supply scheme at South Gujarat Village water supply scheme at South Gujarat

Village water supply schemes provide direct supply This intervention has been undertaken at of tap water through pipelines to the beneficiaries or Surendranagar ,Junagadh , Naramada, Bharuch, through cluster storage built per phalia (lane) which Jamnagar and Dangs districts of Gujarat. are provided with a handpump or standpost to draw water.

These schemes benefit an entire village and cost about Rs. 5-50 lakhs.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 60 61 Drinking Water Community Owned Drinking Water Supply Scheme (COMDWSS)

Beneficiary drawing water from tank, Bihar Water tank for COMDWSS at Bihar Beneficiaries at stand post drawing water, Bihar

In this model, 4000-10000 litre water capacity tank pipelines. Each stand post has been equipped with is mounted on an elevated structure and each two auto lock taps and specially designed platform to COMDWSS is equipped with four to six auto lock collect water, optimally. water taps. A bore well (ranging from 300 – 350 feet depth) is dug and water is lifted through 2HP These schemes benefit around 150 households, have electrical submersible pump. This structure is suitable a capacity to store 4000-10000 litres of water and to fulfill water needs of about 50 households. As the approximate cost of installation is Rs. 3,00,000 this model has been piloted in Bihar, a need was

Inauguration of COMDWSS by Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources, Government of Bihar, felt to design a model which fulfills needs of 150 This intervention has been undertaken at households. So, various stand posts were erected in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur districts of Bihar. different settlements and connected through PVC

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 62 63 Drinking Water Water TESTING

Water testing laboratory at Surendranagar, Gunarat

Treatment of contaminated water after testing Color coding of hand pump sources according to test result Meeting to discuss water quality

AKRSP(I) work in various geographies leads to AKRSP(I) has an ISO 9001:2000 certified laboratory dealing with myraids of context specific problems. named Nirmala Water Testing Laboratory in The drinking water of Coastal areas of Gujarat is Surendranagar district and two other mini water affected by high flouride content, while the water testing labs in Junagadh district in Gujarat and in in Muzaffar pur and Samastipur districts has high Bihar. level of bacteriological contamination. It is therefore inevitable to have a water testing process in place to analyze the quality of drinking water in Project areas, thus enabling in development of context specific solutions.

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 64 65 Drinking Water handpump repairing

Reviving Handpumps at Narmada, Gujarat

Hand pump repairing training at Bharuch, Gujarat Hand pump at Junagadh, Gujarat Hand pump at Junagadh, Gujarat

Defunct, dysfunctional handpumps are one of the This intervention has been undertaken at major reasons for the drudgery of women as they Surendranagar, Junagadh, Bharuch and dangs have to travel long distances when the nearby water districts of Gujarat, Khandwa, Khargone, Burhanpur, source is not functional. Since inception, AKRSP(I) has and Barwani districts of Madhya Pradesh and been training village youth for repairing hand pumps. Muzaffarpur and Samastipur districts of Bihar. This also offers them an alternate source of livelihood.

The repairing of one such structure benefits 5-10 households

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 66 67 INSTITUTIONS

Women meeting to raise awareness on water, sanitation and hygiene proactices

Mass movement for awarenes of Water, Meeting of Villagers on Water quality Training on water treatment to Sanitation and Hygiene practices villagers, Surendranagar

No. Institution Role

1 GVM ( Gram Vikas Mandal) Representation-based organisation aimed at enrolling 100 per cent households; has both, male and female members; initially takes up project related activities

2 Village Development A forum wherein each organisation in a village / tola is represented; a Committee, Tola Vikas common platform in which various organisations promoted by AKRSP Committee (India) come together; Actively involved in project implementation

As Community participation plays a pivotal role in 3 Canal Irrigation Society (CIS); Each one is confined to a narrow group of users; involved in all its development initiatives, AKRSP(I) mobilized Lift Irrigation Society (LIS); management of the resource, its repair and maintenance various institutions at village level for planning, Group Well Users, Check Dam implementation and maintenance of the water User Group infrastructure. 4 Pani Samitis A representative body headed by Sarpanch; Considered as The various institutions promoted by AKRSP(I) for Subcommittee of Panchayat; Formed for delivery of drinking water at management of various interventions are listed village level below:

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 68 69 water warriors

AKRSP (I)’s work on water has a high degree of community involvement and ownership, and that is substantially different from the engineering work of the government or even the private contractors. So how do engineers in NGO’s like AKRSP (I) deliver different results even though their basic training is the same. This is because they have become “social or developmental engineers”, i.e. engineers who have a strong focus on community needs and priorities, who respect the traditional and context specific knowledge of the community and mould their engineering skills accordingly, without compromising on the basic skills and quality standards of their profession.

It is not only engineers, but even many social mobilisers and agriculture specialists in AKRSP (I) who, through experience, have learnt enough engineering to liaison on behalf of the communities with the technical staff of government etc.

AKRSP(I) has continued its work in water across geographies because of the continuity of staff who have been with us since the beginning, led by experienced leaders like Umesh Desai in and many others in the field. These are the water warriors of AKRSP (I) without whom the story, and evolution of AKRSP (I)’s water and watershed story would not have been possible. Here we pay tribute to some of them, some still working with us and many who have left.

Water for Livelihoods and Health 70 PUBLICATIONS of water

Sr. No. AKRSP (I) Publications Author Year Sr. No. AKRSP (I) Publications Author Year

1 Impact and Sustainability of Water Resources Development: A Case study of Sulbha Khanna, Narrotam Prajapati, B.Jani 1996 13 Impact of AKRSP(I)’s intervention on drought coping by people Niraj Joshi, Ashok Pingle 2004 Percolation Tanks in Surendranagar 2 Check Dams: A Water Harvesting Technique for Sustainable Agricultural Development. Barry Underwood, Sulbha Khanna , et al 1996 14 Making water available in the salinity affected villages of coastal Junagadh: the case Prabhatsinh Mori, Dheeraj Kapoor 2005 of deepening and widening Netravati stream [internal] 3 Impact Study of Contour Bunding and Land Levelling Vikas Nath 1997 15 Deepening and widening Dosi Vahen stream as part of Meghal river basin Sarang Daki, Dheeraj Kapoor 2005 Management: a documentation [internal] 4 Outcome of contour bunds and gully plugs as tools for watershed development – A Sulbha Khanna 1997 16 Impact Of High Incidence Of Kidney Stone: A Study of Coastal Villages in Junagadh, Rajnarayan Indu Alka Rawal 2007 case study of Khabji village of Gujarat. 5 Group wells: A water Resource For Small and Marginal Farmers (An outcome study of Nand Kishore Agrawal, Bharat Patel 1998 17 Strengthening Community Involvement in the management of Canal Irrigation Sachin Oza and Umesh Desai 2007 Sajanvav And Moskut Group Wells in Bharuch) Systems – the Gujarat Experience 6 Drip Irrigation – A Beginning (A study in Surendranagar programme Area of AKRSP(I) Manoj Mishra, Dinesh P. Mogharia 1999 18 Gender and Participation in Low-cost Irrigation Schemes: A case of AKRSP (India)’s Jyotimaryee Acharya 2007 Interventions in Tribal Gujarat. 7 Impact of minor canal irrigation projects of AKRSP(I) in Bharuch programme area Sulbha Khanna 1999 19 Water management in semi-arid margins of Gujarat: NGOs, User groups and water Yoann Fayolle and Roanld Jaubert 2007 rights 8 Cost Benefit Analysis and Water use efficiency - A case study of Motasakhpar Village Study Team of AKRSP(I) 2000 20 Irrigation Infrastructure in India: Review of Achievements & Challenges Apoorva Oza 2010

9 Gender and Irrigation in India : The Women’s irrigation group of Jambar, South Barbara van Koppen, Rashmi K.Nagar, Shilpa Vasavada 2001 21 Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Villages: Creation of In-Village Water Infrastructure Apoorva Oza, Pravinbhai Matheja, Raman Patel 2010 Gujarat 10 Canal Irrigation management by tribal communities Aditi Mukherjee, Shilp Verma, Prabhat Rath 2003 22 Enhancing Tribal Livelihoods in Rainfed Areas: AKRSP(I)’s Multi-Pronged Approach Apoorva Oza 2010

11 Enhancing entrepreneurship in micro irrigation, mainly drip irrigation: a case study of Sudarshan Panda 2003 23 The Impact of AKRSP(I)’s work in the Meghal River Basin: A socio-technical analysis Shilp Verma, S Krishnan, Niraj Joshi 2011 AKRSP(I)’s Junagadh programme area 12 AKRSP(I)’s experience in promoting micro irrigation devices Apoorva Oza et.al 2004

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 72 73 Accolades received Stastical Overview for efforts in Water Sector of Work on Water

Sr. Recognition/ Relevant Activity/ Source Year Details Units Achievement till 2014 No. Awards Work for which received

1 TOI Social Impact Times of India 2015 Drinking water supply systems and Sanitation in Irrigation Award Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar Canal Irrigation Societies No. of societies 139

Lift Irrigation Devices No. of Devices 958 2 Earth Care Award JSW Foundation 2014 Community led action on mitigation and 2014 adaptation to climate change with respect to Well Irrigation (Homestead Land Development) No. of wells 912 water resources, land use, and land use change and forestry Farm Pond/Sunken Pond/Bori Bandh No. of structures 1754

3 India NGO Award Nand and Jeet 2008 Overall work in Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh Water Use Efficiency Devices 2008 Western Khemka Foundation Drip/Sprinkler systems Hectares 12203 Region Award & Resource Alliance Ground Water Recharge and Watershed Development

4 Outstanding WaterAid India & 2008 Community awareness in drinking water and Soil and Water Conservation Hectares 48301 Contribution Award UNICEF sanitation and establishing a world class lab for community based water quality management Check Dams and Irrigation Tanks No. of Structures 1340

Drinking Water 5 Award of Excellence, District Panchayat, 2006 For exemplary work in Soil and water Water Worshipping Burhanpur, Madhya conservation Roof Rain Water Harvesting Structures No. of Structures 10250 Campaign Pradesh Drinking Water Supply Schemes No. of villages 244

Hand Pumps Installed/Repaired No. of structures 4233

Water for Livelihoods and Health Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) 74 75 © AKRSP (India). 2015 Design & layout: www.threedotdesigns.com Printing: Tangent Imprints 9825588933