Promoting sustainable lifestyles
and green spaces
With an aim to preserve environment and water, we aim to promote sustainable lifestyles by working in close collaboration with children, women’s groups, youth and village Panchayat (Village Council consisting of five members). It undertakes soil and water conservation and creates green spaces ensuring sustainability of natural resources. The water conservation initiative captures the excess rainwater from monsoon rains and recharges ground water. The focus is also on the revival of ponds.
The Need
Way back in 2003, it was found that women had to bear the brunt of fetching water from far-off distances in rural areas of the Gurugram district of Haryana. Soon, it was realized that women empowerment cannot be looked into in isolation and the issues related to water cannot be ignored. By 2005, water reached the doorsteps of all households because of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Program. However, the groundwater table started depleting due to the mismanagement of water by the communities. The organization thus constructed water conservation structures in one of the villages, Abheypur. This was followed by more such structures in 2-3 nearby villages. Today, the situation has worsened with an average fall in groundwater levels by 2-5 meters below the surface levels annually. As per the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reports, published in 2010, out of 108 development blocks, 55 blocks were over-exploited, 11 critical, and 5 semi-critical, which depicts the alarming levels of groundwater over-utilization. This urgency led to a mass movement on the water called ‘Jal Kranti’. As a result of this movement, the village community was mobilized, actively participated in water conservation initiatives, and formed Pani Police (water police). Panchayat and youth groups took ownership of their villages and made efforts to revive ponds.
Alarming Facts
By 2030, India’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity. (Niti Aayog, 2018)
Haryana has the lowest forest cover as per India State of Forest Report, 2017
The ratio of Annual Ground Water Draft and Net Annual Ground Water Availability i.e. ground water development in India is 63% with extraction being more than 100% in the state of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan (Central Ground Water Board, 2017)
Our Solution
Saving Water
As part of the water conservation and management initiatives, the organization has constructed check dams, gabion structures, gully plugs, recharge wells, recharge filters and revived ponds. Additionally, water literacy programs are conducted in the schools with children, youth, women, village Panchayat, Biodiversity Management Commitees, Corporates, RWAs and communities at large. Regular awareness programs and campaigns are organized on the critical issues of water crisis.
Creating Green Spaces
As part of green inititiaves, we plant native species in the area. And also develop green spaces in the schools and near ponds to attract biodoversity. Simultaneously, Biodiversity Management Committees are strengthened through their formation and capacity building to take ownership.
Our Model Approach
Our model approach seeks to address changes in global patterns and trends that affect the social and economic conditions of the region by:
Collaboration & networking
We undertake eco-restoration in mutually supportive ways with all the stakeholders such as district administration, academicians, other NGOs, university partners, private enterprises and communities.
Integrated & multi-disciplinary approach
We focus on integrated, cross institutional and multi-disciplinary approach to improve the behavioral change amongst the stakeholders to manage water. It combines engineering, social and environmental aspects reaching out to communities in peri-urban, urban and rural communities.
Inclusivity & community ownership
We strengthen institutional frameworks which is inclusive, transparent and effective . The local communities are sensitised, empowered and engaged on environment conservation in order to sustain the program.
We are part of Global Development Goals
According to United Nations, poverty is more than lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations also include limited access to education and basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as lack of participation in decision-making. The program seeks to address the role of women in issues of water management and access to this basic resource.
Our Overall Impact
15400
sq ft barren land transformed to green space
6782
saplings planted
9115
villagers impacted through environment project
Stories of Change
Geeta and Kanta, although less educated, are determined to carry on their drive and are unknowingly working towards the achievement of one the UN sustainable development goal of Clean water and Sanitation under 2030 agenda. Recently, they were awarded by World Women Summit Foundation (WWSF), Geneva for their innovative and creative work in rural areas. They aspire to become ambassadors of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) promoting safe drinking water, health and hygiene in the rural communities.