1. Purpose of 5th Symposium ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TO CONSERVE WATER IN DESERT AREA OF CHURU DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN STATE, INDIA Dr. M. M. Sheikh Associate Professor Dept. of Geography, Govt. P.G. Lohia College, Churu-331001 Rajasthan INDIA Email: mmskh@rediffmail.com

3. Aims and Objectives of the Study: To study the impact of community participation to conserve the water. To study the awareness and responsibility for the consumption pattern of water by the villagers. To assess the role of women participation in decision making of water conservation methods. To know the socio-economic impact of community participation to conserve and its benefit to the society.

4. Limitations of Earlier Water Supply Projects Top down approach for overall planning. Political interference in technical planning and execution. Poor design and execution. No proper supervision. Free water supply concept/or very nominal charges. Lack of communities involved in planning.

5. Community Participation Approach: Village Map making exercises has been organized to make friendly with villagers. Small group meetings were organized with different caste groups separately. Group meetings were also organized with male and female separately. CPU team also approached major stockholders at community level, formal and informal leaders, government workers (Patwari, Gram Sevak, Angawadi and health workers) and CBOs. Different communication methods like puppet shows, folk songs, display of movies related to water, women and health issues were used for spreading messages.

6. CPU team members also convinced the community about their involvement in decision making, water pricing, site of stand post, labour contribution in trench digging etc. Women were given more attention in the involvement of the project, so that they easily convinced to their other family members. WHC members were nominated in the general meeting of all villagers including male and female. Village level works responsibilities were given to WHC. CPU formed different groups such as Water and Health Committee, Women Group, Water Groups, Pani Panchayat etc. For any conflicts or doubts public hearing approach were used at village level.

7. Suggestions: At community level, the existing community groups such as users group, women groups and SHGs (Self Help Group) should be continued in the proposed structure. The government should constitute a task force for overseeing the overall management and implementation of user charges in the project villages. NGOs should be involved in water management related activities such as awareness building in communities, capacity building, rain water harvesting etc.

8. Water audit should be start annually. This will help the future water demand and rational use of water. Roof top rain water harvesting should be promoted regularly. It can reduce the potable water demand during monsoon and winter season. Improvement of water use efficiency should be included in school education etc. Water user charges should be revised at every two years. Tariff should also be based on classification of water uses.

9. Awareness of water scarcity should be followed by public education in the practicalities of community based water management, improved water use efficiency, improved conservation methods. Water and Health Committee should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges. There is also a serious problem of waste water. Plans should be prepared for utilization of treated water, which is the most reliable source of water. This practice can be used in urban areas also.

10. Purpose of 5th Symposium Thanks for your attention Dr. M. M. Sheikh Associate Professor Dept. of Geography, Govt. P.G. Lohia College, Churu-331001 Rajasthan INDIA Email: mmskh@rediffmail.com