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Environment / Ecology | Check dams a boon for parched villages -Sumita Sarkar

Check dams a boon for parched villages -Sumita Sarkar

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published Published on Apr 10, 2014   modified Modified on Apr 10, 2014
-The Times of India


NASHIK: Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nashik have provided relief to some drought-prone villages in Nashik, by constructing check dams or by reviving the ancient ones. Ten villages have benefited from these projects and more check dams are in the offing.

The NGOs had conducted independent research in Sinnar and in Peth, given that these areas suffered from acute water scarcity in the summer months. In 2007, the organization Yuva Mitra discovered 20 check dams dating back to the British era in Sinnar, which could be revived. Sinnar has always been drought-prone, receiving scanty rains.

In 2010, the NGO Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram-Engineers Group conducted a research in the interiors of the Peth region, which receives heavy showers, but being a hilly region, there were no means to arrest the water, resulting in acute water scarcity in summer.

In Sinnar, the NGO revived the dams with the help of local villagers, while in Peth, the NGO constructed check dams with the help of locals, forest officials and students from schools and colleges in Nashik.

In Sinnar, seven check dams have been revived in seven villages. In Peth, six check dams have been constructed in three villages. Both the organizations have lined up more such work in these two regions to help locals have access to enough water till the rains arrive.

"The revival of check dams have led to diversion-based irrigation system in Sinnar and farmers have water even for farming in the regions where we have revived them. We have planned the revival of 13 more check dams and will do it with the help of the government machinery," said Sunil Pote, one of the founders of Yuva Mitra, the NGO working in Sinnar.

In Peth, villagers have begun constructing houses with bricks (which require a lot of water during construction) and some have also starting growing tomato.

"We have constructed six check dams in three villages. Each of these villages has a population of around 350. Here the rainfall is three to four times that of Nashik, but this is a hilly area on the slopes of the Sahyadri range, which is why storing water was a major concern. Now water is being retained till the end of May," said Vivek Pendse, one of the members of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. "Being civil engineers, we could construct the check dams. The forest officials helped us a lot. We also have volunteers from other professions," said Pendse.

Talking about the benefits of check dams, Pendse said that wells have been filled and cattle have sufficient water to drink. "Earlier, cattle deaths were common, due to scarcity of water from mid-May onwards. We carried out extensive research before constructing the check dams and arrested smaller flows of water from streams for the dams. These dams have to be repaired every year or two," Pendse said.

The Times of India, 9 April, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Check-dams-
a-boon-for-parched-villages/articleshow/33472141.cms

 


The Times of India, 9 April, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Check-dams-a-boon-for-parched-villages/articleshow/33472141.cms


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