The story:
The village Gawadewadi is situated on the backwaters of the Koyana Dam in Satara. Home to the Maratha and Dhangar communities, it has a population of 760, with a literacy rate of 50%. People here depend mostly on agriculture for their livelihood. However, out of the 604 Ha. of available land, only 375 Ha. is cultivable. The crops cultivated are seasonal like rice, nachani, wheat, and grams, but the land under perennial irrigation is very less. Hence, due to the lack of better livelihood opportunities, people migrate to cities like Pune and Mumbai in search of employment.
The solution:
As the village is located in the western ghats, the geography allows for the construction of barriers to store water for future use. The village already has 8 springs out of which only 3 have water available throughout the year while the rest run dry by October-November.
This project aims to improve the water availability of the village by replenishing the existing springs to provide water throughout the year, and also revive dying springs. This will ensure a year-long water supply for drinking and irrigation purposes.
The outcome of the project
- Springs have been rejuvenated with water recharge treatment
- Soil erosion will be reduced due to tree plantation and loose boulders
- Water storage capacity has been increased due to the construction of a traditional water tank, Jalkundh, and farm pond. This will help to increase 30 acres of farming land in the rabi season and 15 acres of land in the summer season
- Women have come together with Self Help Groups(SHGs) and have received financial support from the project as well as from the Banks. Each SHG received a loan of Rs. 1 lakh.
- Bamboo and fruit plantation initiative has been introduced as an alternate livelihood development source
Activities conducted in the last two years:
- Awareness meetings
- Formation of user groups – 10
- Formation of SHG – 5
- Plantation of over 11,100 plants
- Loose boulders – to stop soil erosion
- Jalkundh (water storage tanks) – 3
- Traditional water tank – 2
- Farm ponds – 5
- Agriculture improvement in rice and wheat
- Agriculture diversification – demonstration of strawberry and vegetable cultivation
- Promotion of kitchen garden.
