Women in Parched Bundelkhand Villages are Pioneering Water Conservation Efforts | Jal Saheli

Summary

In the Bundelkhand region of central India, women from marginalized communities, facing caste-based discrimination and patriarchy, took the initiative to solve their severe water crisis. They carved a path through a mountain to bring water to their village, transforming the area's geography and social dynamics. Trained as 'Jal Sahelis,' these women not only improved water conservation but also empowered themselves, leading to a reduction in caste discrimination and an increase in their income, showcasing the power of community-led solutions.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Bundelkhand region in central India faces a severe water crisis, with marginalized groups, particularly women, being the most affected.
• 🏹 Women in rural India, especially those from lower castes, experience both caste-based discrimination and patriarchy.
• 💪 In response to the water crisis, women in Bundelkhand took the initiative to find local solutions, demonstrating resilience and determination.
• 🏡 Kiran, a resident of Agrotha village, highlights the daily struggle of walking long distances to fetch water and the discrimination faced by her community.
• 🌱 The concept of Jal Sahelis, trained by Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan, is introduced as women who work to revive dried-up water sources.
• 🌧️ A Pani Panchayat in Agrotha decided that rainwater conservation was the key to solving the water crisis, leading to innovative solutions.
• 🚧 The women of Agrotha carved a path through a mountain to redirect rainwater to a pond, a significant geographical and social transformation.
• 🏆 Jal Saheli Ganga Rajput was honored with the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman Award for her work in water conservation, highlighting the impact of their efforts.
• 🌱 The promotion of kitchen gardens, construction of soak pits, and the building of stop dams and sacks have helped conserve water and improve the livelihood of the community.
• 💧 Jal Sahelis have provided substantial water to agricultural lands in Bundelkhand, leading to increased income and a reduction in caste-based discrimination.
• 🌿 The empowerment of Jal Sahelis has resulted in social changes, with some being elected to positions of leadership, furthering gender equality and community development.

Q & A

What is the primary issue faced by the Bundelkhand region in central India?

The Bundelkhand region in central India has historically faced a severe water crisis.

Which group of people is most affected by the water crisis in Bundelkhand?

The most affected are marginalized individuals, especially women who face caste-based discrimination in rural India.

How did the women of Bundelkhand respond to the water crisis?

Some women were determined to find solutions at the local level by taking initiatives to bring water to their villages.

What is the role of a Jal Saheli in Bundelkhand?

Jal Sahelis are women trained by Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan who work to revive dried-up water sources and are actively involved in water conservation efforts.

What is a Pani Panchayat and how does it function?

A Pani Panchayat is a water council organized for planning and implementation of water conservation and management strategies.

How did the women of Agrotha village address their water crisis?

The women of Agrotha village decided to solve their water problem by rainwater conservation and carved a path through a mountain to divert rainwater to a pond.

What was the impact of the women's initiative in Agrotha on the community?

The initiative became an example of women's empowerment and led to the organization of Pani Panchayats in other districts of Bundelkhand.

What recognition did Jal Saheli Ganga Rajput receive for her work?

Jal Saheli Ganga Rajput was honored by President Draupadi Murmu with the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman Award for her commendable efforts in water conservation.

What are some of the water conservation methods implemented by Jal Sahelis?

Jal Sahelis have promoted kitchen gardens, constructed soak pits, built stop dams and sacks on rivers, and provided water to land through various conservation efforts.

How has the income of the community changed after the water conservation efforts?

The income has significantly increased, with some individuals reporting an increase from 1-2 lakhs to 8-9 lakhs a year due to improved water availability for farming.

What changes have been observed in terms of caste-based discrimination after the water conservation efforts?

Caste-based discrimination against women has been reduced, and some Jal Sahelis have even been elected as Gram Pradhan and District Municipality members, indicating a shift in social dynamics.

Outlines

00:00

💧 Water Crisis and Women's Empowerment in Bundelkhand

The Bundelkhand region in central India, particularly the village of Agrotha in Madhya Pradesh, has been grappling with a severe water crisis, exacerbating the living conditions for marginalized communities, especially women facing caste-based discrimination. Despite the challenges of casteism and patriarchy, women in Agrotha took the initiative to address the water scarcity by carving a path through a mountain to bring water to their village. This act not only changed the geographical landscape but also the social dynamics, challenging traditional norms. Kiran, a Jal Saheli, and others like her, were trained by Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan to revive water sources and implement rainwater conservation strategies, leading to a pani panchayat that decided on a solution to their water woes.

05:10

🌱 Reviving Water Sources and Promoting Sustainability

The women of Agrotha, led by Jal Saheli Bharti Devi Ahirwar, took proactive steps to conserve rainwater and prevent it from flowing into the Bachedi River. They constructed a dam using soil from digging a drain, redirecting the water flow into a pond. This initiative was a catalyst for change, inspiring other districts in Bundelkhand to form pani panchayats and adopt similar water conservation practices. The efforts of Jal Sahelis have been recognized with awards like the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman, and they have contributed significantly to water availability for irrigation, leading to increased agricultural productivity and income. The impact of these efforts has been profound, reducing caste-based discrimination and empowering women to take on leadership roles, including positions as Gram Pradhan and District Municipality members.

10:11

🌟 Overcoming Discrimination and Enhancing Community Well-being

Babli Adivasi, a Gram Pradhan, shares her personal journey of overcoming discrimination based on caste and gender. She recounts how lower-caste communities were treated with prejudice, having to wait for water access and using separate utensils. However, with the empowerment and recognition she gained as a leader, Babli has experienced a significant shift in social dynamics. She now enjoys greater freedom and respect, with improved access to resources and the ability to engage with the community without fear. The water conservation efforts have not only provided water for daily needs and irrigation but have also elevated the status of women and minority communities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

Keywords

💡Bundelkhand

Bundelkhand is a region in central India that spans across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Historically, it has faced severe water scarcity, affecting the lives of its inhabitants, particularly the marginalized communities. In the video, Bundelkhand represents the setting where the story of women's empowerment and water conservation efforts unfolds.

💡Water Crisis

A water crisis refers to a situation where the availability of fresh water is insufficient to meet the demands of a population. In the context of the video, the water crisis in Bundelkhand has led to women and men walking long distances to fetch water, highlighting the urgency and impact of water scarcity on daily life.

💡Marginalized

Marginalized refers to groups or individuals who are pushed to the social, economic, or political periphery and often face discrimination. In the video, marginalized communities, especially women, are disproportionately affected by the water crisis and social hierarchies, such as casteism and patriarchy.

💡Caste Discrimination

Caste discrimination is a social stratification system in India where individuals are ranked based on their birth into certain social groups. The video illustrates how caste-based discrimination exacerbates the water crisis for lower caste individuals, who are often denied access to resources and face social exclusion.

💡Patriarchy

Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and are dominant in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege. The video shows how patriarchy intersects with casteism to further marginalize women in Bundelkhand, limiting their access to resources and decision-making.

💡Jal Saheli

Jal Saheli translates to 'water friend' and refers to women in Bundelkhand who are trained to work on water conservation and management. In the video, Jal Sahelis are portrayed as change agents who lead initiatives to address the water crisis, challenging traditional gender roles and caste discrimination.

💡Pani Panchayat

A Pani Panchayat is a water council or committee responsible for planning and implementing water management strategies at the local level. In the video, Pani Panchayats play a crucial role in organizing community efforts to conserve rainwater and improve water availability.

💡Rainwater Conservation

Rainwater conservation is the practice of collecting, storing, and managing rainwater to ensure its availability for use during periods of scarcity. The video highlights how Jal Sahelis and Pani Panchayats have implemented rainwater conservation strategies, such as building dams and soak pits, to address the water crisis.

💡Women's Empowerment

Women's empowerment refers to the process of increasing women's autonomy, agency, and influence by challenging social norms and power structures. The video showcases how women in Bundelkhand have empowered themselves by taking the lead in water conservation efforts, which has also led to a reduction in caste-based discrimination against them.

💡Gram Pradhan

Gram Pradhan is the head of a village council or panchayat in India. The video mentions how some Jal Sahelis have been elected as Gram Pradhan, indicating a shift in power dynamics and recognition of their leadership in water conservation and community development.

💡Caste-based Discrimination Reduction

The reduction of caste-based discrimination refers to the decrease in social prejudice and unequal treatment based on caste. The video demonstrates how the collective efforts of Jal Sahelis in water conservation have not only improved water access but also contributed to reducing caste-based discrimination by promoting inclusivity and recognition of marginalized groups.

Highlights

The Bundelkhand region in central India faces a severe water crisis, with marginalized women being the most affected.

Caste-based discrimination and patriarchy exacerbate the water crisis in rural India.

Despite adversity, women in Bundelkhand take local action to address the water crisis.

Women in Agrotha village carved a path through a mountain to bring water to their village.

Kiran, a resident of Agrotha, describes the daily struggle to fetch water, sometimes spending nights to do so.

Discrimination against Dalits is alive, with instances of contamination of water sources.

Jal Sahelis, trained by Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan, work to revive dried-up water sources.

A Pani Panchayat in Agrotha in 2019 identified rainwater conservation as the key to solving the water crisis.

Jal Sahelis created a dam to divert rainwater from the forested mountains to a pond, transforming the village's water supply.

Women's initiative in water conservation led to men's participation and became a model for women's empowerment.

Pani Panchayats are now organized in other districts of Bundelkhand, inspired by Agrotha's success.

Jal Saheli Ganga Rajput received the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman Award for her work in water conservation.

Jal Sahelis promoted kitchen gardens and constructed soak pits to address water drainage issues.

Stop dams and sacks were built on rivers, contributing to water conservation efforts.

Jal Sahelis have provided over 10 billion liters of water to over 2000 hectares of land in Bundelkhand.

The increase in water availability has led to a rise in groundwater levels and river revitalization.

Improved water access has increased agricultural productivity and incomes, reducing caste-based discrimination.

Jal Sahelis have gained recognition and leadership roles, including positions as Gram Pradhan.

The empowerment of Jal Sahelis has led to social changes, with reduced discrimination and increased participation in community life.

The water conservation efforts have improved daily life, providing water for animals, domestic use, and irrigation.

Transcripts

The Bundelkhand region in central India

has historically faced a severe water crisis.

The most affected are those who are marginalized, especially women.

And among those who face caste based discrimination in rural India.

People think of us as lower caste.

Not only casteism, but patriarchy also is prevalent here.

And because of this the situation in Bundelkhand is very degenerated.

Amidst this dire situation,

some women were determined to find solutions at the local level

rather than sitting idle.

How did you do it? Please tell.

Women just do it.

This is the story of those women

who resolved to challenge the odds

and fight for a better tomorrow.

They took the initiative

to bring water to the village by carving a path through a mountain,

bringing unimaginable changes in the geographical and social landscape of the area.

Kiran lives in the small village of Agrotha in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

This district is located in the Bundelkhand

region, on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

We faced a severe water crisis in our village.

We used to walk up to 2 to 2.5 km daily to fetch water.

Sometimes we had to spend the night for fetching water.

And on the hand pump, once we were taking water

and there was a Tanker belonging to Sarpanch, they mixed cow-dung in the tanker so that we could not take it.

Did they have any problem with your community?

Yes, the problem exists even today. It’s not like we don’t face this now.

Harijans (Dalits) still face this discrimination.

You won't always be here to save us whenever a problem arises. We have to live among these people.

It shouldn't be like we are beating one another.

Kiran is a Jal Saheli.

About 1,000 Jal Sahelis are actively working across Bundelkhand.

The Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan trained these Jal Sahelis.

Jal Sahelis are working to revive dried-up water sources.

A pani panchayat (Water Panchayat) is organized

for planning and implementation purposes.

A Pani Panchayat held in Agrotha in 2019 decided that

the water problem could be solved only by rainwater conservation.

There was only one pond in the village

which remained dry most of the time.

My name is Bharti Devi Ahirwar.

I speak on the issue of water.

All of us should save water.

We should use water wisely.

We should not waste water.

So that we do not face a water crisis later.

Used water from home should not flow on the road.

It should always go to the drainage. And we need to fix the drainage as well.

We should also cover the drains so that we can minimize the infections.

Whatever water we get through rain,

and all the water that comes from this side from up to 3-4 km from the jungle

used to flow away from this side towards the Bachedi River.

Agrotha is situated on the edge of the forested mountains of Buxwaha.

The rainwater falling on these hills and flowing from the forest

used to flow between two hills behind the pond, Jal Sahelis made

a way to take this rainwater to the pond by cutting a hill.

They blocked the way of the water by making a dam

with the soil that came out during the digging, due

to which the flow of the water got diverted and reached the pond.

All the women took the soil from this drain and used it to make a dam-like structure to stop the flow of water.

How did it start?

Women took the initiative and men followed.

So when women came forward, everyone followed both men and women.

First, I had to ask my husband on call for permission, then I came here.

Similarly, at that time also we were not allowed to go out of our houses.

Even today also people are making fun of Jal Sahelis.

So, how did you do it? Please tell.

Women just do it.

This incident of Agrotha became an example of women's empowerment.

As a result,

Pani panchayats started being organized in other districts of Bundelkhand as well.

Jal Saheli Ganga Rajput was also honored by President Draupadi Murmu

as she received the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman Award for the commendable efforts and work done for water conservation.

Through Jal Sahelis, the tradition of kitchen gardens was promoted in villages.

Soak pits were constructed to solve the problem of water drainage.

Stop dams and sacks were built on many rivers including the Bachheri River and Khudar River.

Till now, Jal Sahelis have provided 10.121 billion liters of water to 2256 hectares of land in Bundelkhand.

We organized marches for this river.

So during the march, we pointed out places where there were possibilities of working.

When we make ponds to bring life to the river,

then the groundwater level rises.

When the water level comes above the ground and the river is at a lower level,

then the water automatically starts reaching the river. As a result, the river comes alive.

All the water used to flow outside from here, and then Jal Sahelis worked here.

Since then water stored in the lake.

What did they do?

They dug up the area and put the soil there.

From the inside,

they dug the pond deeper and put the soil to make a dam to stop the water.

So, when this water stopped going out, how did it help you?

The water started reaching into the well.

The water level went up.

And when we got enough water, we used it in farming.

How did it help you?

The well gets filled with water.

and ponds also got filled, so irrigation was possible.

How has your income changed from then to now?

Initially, it was around 1-2 lakhs, now it's around 8-9 lakhs a year.

All castes and classes

benefited from this water conservation.

As a result, caste based discrimination against women was also reduced.

In many cases, Jal Sahelis got so much support that they were also

elected as Gram Pradhan and District Municipality members.

Babli Adivasi is one of them.

Other communities also used to come to take water.

So they asked us to stay away.

Other communities also live here.

They used to ask us to wait so that they could take water first.

This discrimination used to happen.

Our utensils were also kept separately.

People consider us from a lower caste.

But, now that you're the Gram Pradhan, then?

Now, no one discriminates, now I can sit wherever I want.

Tell us a little about how things have changed since then.

It has changed for sure.

I used to live inside the house, but now I go out regularly.

Now, I speak with everyone, then I was afraid of speaking with men.

Now, I openly speak with everyone.

Now, when I go somewhere, even the officers offer me a seat first.

Whether the work gets done or not, I'm usually happy.

Earlier, no one used to ask, but now that I'm Gram Pradhan everyone offers a seat.

Even if they're sitting they vacate their seat for me.

We have water for animals as well,

also, we have water for daily usage.

We now have water for irrigation as well.