RALEGAN SIDDHI -A WATERSHED PROJECT

Contents:- HISTORICAL BACKGROUND PRESENT STATUS PROCESS AND STRATERGIES BEHIND CHANGE WATERSHED PROJECT CONTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER FUTURE PERSPECTIVE REFERENCES

Historical background Ralegan lies in drought prone zone of ahmednagar dist of maharastra. Before 1975 there was acute under deprivation, fragile, degraded ecosystem and water scarcity. 70% of population was below poverty line. Village met only 30% of food requirement. People restored to illicit liquor vending.

CONT. Women were also suffering with prostitution. 15-20% population underfed. Untouchability- 16 harizan family lived under isolation. Corruption of govt. funds.

PRESENT SCENARIO :- Recharge the ground water to 6.5meter depth through out the year Agricultural production went up from 294.3tonnes in 1975-76 to 1386.2tonnes in 1985-86. 4.7 fold increase in quantity, 9 fold increase in value. Average yield per hact. Of cropped area increase 19 times.

Contd…. Income from agriculture increased from Rs3,45,910 to Rs.31,72,678 peer annum. Milk yield increased from 300ltr. To 4000 ltr. In 2002 Per capita increase from Rs.271 to Rs.2257. Best health indicator provision of safe drinking water

Contd… Supply of water for industries. Removal of caste barriers and promoting social cohesiveness.

THE MAN THAT MADE IT HAPPEN-- A SORROW FACE OF INDIA-- RALEGAN SIDDHI IN 1975 A MODEL VILLAGE OF INDIA-- RALEGAN SIDDHI IN 2009 THE MAN THAT MADE IT HAPPEN-- Mr. ANNA HAZARE

METAMORPHOSIS OF RALEGAN INITIATED BY ANNA HAZARE. RAPPORT BUILDING AMONG ELDERS AND YOUTH. LIQUOR VENDS GOT SHUT DOWN AND NOW RALEGAN IS PRODUCING MILK IN PLENTTY. WATERSHED REFORMS……

STRATERGIES FOLLOWED Trapping rain water Repairing the percolation tank Horticulture development & Drip irrigation.

Restriction on cultivation of water intense crop. Cash crop production was emphasized. Lift irrigation & establishment of water cooperatives. 4 lakh trees were planted.

Watershed development State agriculture department selected Ralegan Siddhi in 1982-83 for implementing this plan. 47 check dams were built in 4 micro watershed areas. Total water storage capacity is 300 cubic meters approx. A canal of 3 kms long, 10 to 12 meter wide and 2 to 3 meters deep constructed.

In-situ water conservation- Across the gullies of hill-slop, brushwood dams are constructed. Loose boulders structures are also constructed across gullies. Staggered trenched are dug on the slope of watershed. At bottom of the slope, continuous contour trench is dug. Ex-situ water conservation- Some 19 types of check dams are prepared to collect water throughout the canal in many places.

Krishna lift irrigation project- Lifts up water from Kukdi canal 3 km away from Ralegan Siddhi and irrigates 350 acres of 80 farmers. Water co-operatives- The Padmavathi, Santa Yadav Baba, Goutama, Santa Janeshwar, Santa Tukaram and Krishna Water co-operative society.

Ban on grazing and tree felling. Water rationing- The water is distributed calculating the quantity of water flow in hour/field/day or as so many days/week. A member of WCS has to pay approx. Rs.800 to 900/acre/year. Drinking water- Also distributed through the WCS. Ban on grazing and tree felling.

Contribution towards the water shed development program – 48.43 % by people of Ralegan siddhi. 44.83 by the Jalsansadhan department. 6.74 by the Rural development department.

Future Perspective :– Possibility to rebuild natural capital. Increase of use of non-conventional energy. Promoting self sufficiency in villagers.

CONCLUSION If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water - LORAN EISELY