Early
Lead Through Jal Sammelans
Beginning
of work at Sagar Lake
Involvement
of Police Personnel :
Co-operation from
all religions :
[A PEOPLES’ MOVEMENT
IN SAGAR]
"Sustainable
water use is the use of water that supports the ability of human society to
endure and flourish into the indefinite future without
undermining the integrity of the hydrological cycle or
the ecological system that depends on it."
Water is the elixir of life. This colorless and
tasteless liquid is essential for all forms of growth and development.
Providing water in the desired quantity and quality and at the right time and place,
has been a constant endeavour of all civilizations. While water is a renewable
resource, its availability in space and time is limited, being largely
determined by climatic, geographical and physical conditions, by affordable
technological solutions which permit its exploitation and by the efficiency
with which water is conserved and used. In the back drop of the issues, threats
and challenges to the sustainability of ground water as a ‘replenishable’
resource, ‘sustainable’ is assuming greater importance which not only ensures
inter generational equity in this resource utilization but also promotes
success of conservation principles in the social, legal, economic and
environmental context. Water is the lifeblood of agriculture and rain is the
primary source of water. India’s share of the total world precipitation is
little less than 1 %. Out of this, barely 29% of annual precipitation is
utilisable and the rest runs off to the sea. Tapping just 20% more of rainfall
will offer 80 mham of additional water, which even with 50% efficiency will
irrigate 40mha of cereals. This huge quantity of runoff is because of loss of
vegetation. When there is vegetation it provides litter which increases the
water holding capacity of soil, thus reducing runoff. Vegetation also reduces
the speed of water and there by provides an opportunity for water to
infiltrate. When there is runoff, the depleted ground water is not replenished.
Because of this, the water table goes down resulting in lesser availability of
water for irrigation. To overcome this, farmers start deepening the water
sources, which again leads to fall of ground water table. Thus a vicious cycle
of unsustainable use of ground water is set in. The decreased availability of
irrigation water leads to decreased production and productivity, finally
creating more pressure on land and other natural resources. Thus, the damage
and destruction to the ecological foundations of productivity viz. soil and
water leads to a series of unsustainable processes that may threaten the very
base of our food security. After having projected Madhya Pradesh on the world
map as a rising star through his innovative and path breaking projects like
"Gyandoot" and "Education Guarantee Scheme" our Hon'ble
Chief Minister Sh. Digvijay Singh Ji took up the water sector and in the
meeting of Commissioners and Collectors and CEOs Zila Panchayat on 15/12/2000
declared that this year "Village Contact Programme" (Gram Sampark
Abhiyan) should be converted into ‘Pani Roko Abhiyan’. This was an innovative
step, as till date the drought relief used to be based upon the employment
generating works which could lead to survival during drought but it could not
do anything to stop the recurring of drought. Hence our foresighted Chief
Minister thought of hitting at the root cause of the drought by emphasising
upon water conservation, as drought in this area is not because of insufficient
rainfall but due to improper water management. Under the able guidance and
leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister this "Pani Roko Abhiyan" has
become a grand success through out the M.P. State and particularly in Sagar. In
Sagar this Abhiyan has become a people’s movement (Aandolan) which has
transformed the whole scenario on the water front in this severely drought affected
district.
Early Lead Through Jal Sammelans
The collector Sagar Sh.B.R.Naidu took up the lead
in turning this "Pani Roko Abhiyan" into a peoples movements. CEO
Zila Panchayat Sh. J.P. Tiwari organised the first meeting to prepare the basic
framework for organising this movement, on 22/12/2000. In this meeting the
dates were (Jal Sammelan between 2nd January to 24th
January) fixed for block level conferences in all the blocks to create an
environment and to take this whole idea of water conservation to the village
level. The responsibility for organising these conferences was given to the
C.E.O's of Janpad Panchayats While all the local peoples’ representatives like
panch, sarpanch, members & Chairman Janpad & Jila Panchayats, M.L.As.,
M.Ps, Secretary Gram panchayat and all officer & employees engaged in the
village contact programme (Gram Sampark Abhiyan) enthusiastically took part in
these Sammelans, a trainers team was also sent from the district level to
explain the various technical aspects of water conservation. It was also
decided in these conferences that the contribution and cooperation of the
general public will be the major source of financing all the water conservation
works. Along with this a plan was prepared to use the funds from various
Government schemes like JGSY, Employment Guarantee scheme, Infrastructure
funds, Tenth finance commission, Rajiv Gandhi Watershed Mission, National
Watershed development scheme, M.Ps & M.L.As local area funds etc. to
achieve the various targets set for the 'Pani Roko Abhiyan". The collector
Shri B.R.Naidu & C.E.O. Zila Panchayat Sh. J.P.Tiwari themselves
participated in all of these conferences and spread the philosophy of 'pani
roko' to the masses. All the officers and peoples’ representatives actively
participated in all these conferences. These conferences helped in bringing
officers and the peoples representatives together on the issue of water and
spread the technical and emotional appeal of Pani Roko to the grass root level.
As these conferences brought forward the fact that
masses are aware and concerned about the water shortage problem, the only need
was to mobilise them for water conservation. For this purpose "Nodal
Officers" were appointed from Class II & III Executive from various
departments like agriculture, forest etc. Every nodal officer was allocated
maximum of 4 villages where he will be organising Gram Sabhas every Wednesday
to mobilise people's participation in Pani Roko. They were supposed to spend
nights in villages only so that the sprit of M.P. Peoples’ Participation Act,
2000 could be realised and people could be motivated for "Shram-daan"
along with a feeling of ownership of the works undertaken. In this way the 11
points programme was also properly used for this campaign. To sustain
the enthusiasm of masses as well as the government machinery 22 Zonal officer
were also appointed. For this purpose the senior officers having official
vehicles were made Zonal officer of the area under their official charges
otherwise, so that their tours could serve the dual purpose now.
Beginning of work at Sagar Lake
The 'Shramdaan' done by the Hon'ble Minister for Technical
Education Sh.Raja Pateriya ji for Sagar lake on 26.01.01. provided the right
beginning to the 'Pani roko Andolan' and from here onwards all the local
people’s representatives competed with each other to make the highest
contribution to this movement. Gram sabhas were organised in the whole district
on the republic day. Hon'ble minister Sh.Raja Pateriya ji himself toured 6
blocks to explain the importance of water conservation to the rural masses.
Practical world is vastly different than text book.
The technique plan and forecast of management Gurus sitting in conference hall
might be very ineffective if put to practice. The idea which would carry the
message by and large would have to be very original and cost effective and
should incorporate maximum participation of market. There were lots of proposal
but it was thought that any idea would only see the light of the day. until and
unless it was fully satisfactory.
Extensive Touring and Night
Halts in Villages
As a next step towards mobilisation of people the
Collector and C.E.O. Zila Panchayat did extensive touring of the villages during
Feb & March participated in various programmes of 'Shramdaan' for water
conservation structures. The most remarkable features of these tours were that
the Collector and the CEO Zilla Panchayat both spent nights in the villages
only and this sent the signal of sincerity to the masses. During such tours the
cultural activities were organised with the help of the local artists and all
this helped in strengthening the community feelings, which further strengthened
the peoples participation in all the water conservation projects.
In an agrarian society, whenever the need arises to
propogate a message, or to appraise of a situation, or to call for its
co-operation or to invoke their allegiance for a cause which is not only very
real but could also jeoparadise their existence in the region, cultural
activities have played an important role as it would not only affect the psyche
of rural masses but would also educate them, appraise them and bring them
together. It was an undisputed fact that our rich culture and heritage would be
at the core of any vehicle of idea propagation. It was also very clear that
idea should be highly identifiable for the market. The idea had to propagate a
message and the message should educate every barges to coalesce for the cause.
It was to be understood that what was that one chord, which once struck would
make orchestra go. Then it was rationalised that, that chord which has to be
simple and effective would be FOLK MUSIC. Folk music was chosen to be the vehicle
on which the publicity and the education of the programme would rest.
Entertainment which society can never have enough of, was chosen to be the
platform. It was decided that from 2nd January
2001 to 24 January 2001 Jal Sammelan would be held which would carry in them
Bhajan Sangeet by artists of their own blocks. This would provide them with
their first lesson towards our program. In February 2001, the
district Collector made this programme a resounding success when in his
personal contact program with villagers he made night halts in villages and
similar cultural programmes were conducted. These visits were not only moral
booster but very soon every single person was made to identify with Mr. Naidu
and thus with the cause. To give further boost to the program a block level
competion was organised on 5th March in all the blocks
simultaneously and the winners, would in turn, compete in the district level
competition which was held at Ravindra Bhavan, Sagar. The Cassettes were
prepared for all block level winners by A.I.R., Sagar and the copies of
cassette were sent to respective blocks. A book was also compiled of these folk
songs and distributed. Whereas the compact disc which came as an out put of
final competition was inaugurated by the Chief Minister himself during his
visit to Sagar. The entire program was not only a resounding success but it’s
effect would bless the entire region for the years to come.
After having success in motivating Panchayats to undertake
water conservation projects a meeting of the Chairpersons and members of all
Krishi Upaj Mandi to involve formers at the private level in this Pani Roko
Campaign. To ensure maximum participation from the farmer community and to
convince them to have water conservation structure like Dabri in their own
agriculture land, Farmers conferences (Kisan Sammelans) were organised from 4th
of April to 27th April in the Krishi Upaj Mandies where the
Collector, C.E.O. Zilla Panchayat, Deputy Director Agriculture and other
specialists supervised the imparting of training to the farmers regarding
construction of various water conservatory structures in their own fields, the
recharging of wells & Bawaries and the farmers were also informed about
benefits supposed to accrue from such structures. Similarly on 8th
April 2001 a meeting was organised for all the Agriculture Extension Officers
where they were trained for increasing the active participation of people, the
recharging of Bawaries, wells etc. and the preparation of village wise
inventories.
Letters, Vachan Patras &
Pratigya Patras
Various innovative methods were adopted for
mobilising the people along with the reliance on slogans, graffities etc. More
then 1.5 lac letters were written by the Collector to the students and the
teachers to mobilise them as well as the people attached with them. Similarly,
D.O. letters were written to all 'Sarpanch' making an appeal for utilising
various scheme funds along with 'Shramdaan' to construct various water conservatory
structure. Effective use was made of the Vachan Patra and 'Pratigya Patra' to
mobilise the masses. Separate letters were issued to the individual farmers
also, narrating the benefits of converting a part of their agricultural land
for the purpose of constructing ponds as it will make their surrounding land
much more productive.
Involvement of Police Personnel :
Involvement of the police personnel in this sort of
developmental work was a unique feature which was never heard of and the lead
was provided by none else than the S.P. Shri Indrajeet Singh Chouhan who not
only took part in 'Shramdan' in village Semera Kheri but also directed all his
subordinates to actively participate in all such activities in their respective
areas. The sight of police people doing 'Shramdan' sent a loud and clear
message that this is not any other government sponsored development programme,
rather it is people's own programme for which everyone is equally concerned not
withstanding their different occupations. The Police people led by example in
constructing a well within the police station compound of Rahatgarh. Not only
this around Rs. 1 lacs were also donated by the police people in the desilting
of the Sagar Lake.
Co-operation from all religions :
The religious feelings were constructively utilised
for this noble cause. Saint Pt. Devprabhakar Shastri 'Daddaji' did Shramdan in
Sagar lake desiltification and also contributed Rs.95,000/-. This led to a big
flow of contributions from his followers. Similarly, the Jain Shri Acharya Sh.
Devnandi ji Maharaj delivered his sermon at the dried up Sagar Lake bed itself
and exhorted his followers to contribute heartily Sagar Lake write up. Sunday
prayers were held by Christian on the Lake bed itself while Muslims offered
their Namaz from the same Lake bed. All these activities made Pani Roko Andolan
a peoples movement in the real sense.
Effective use of media including the radio where
various popular programmes like 'Panchvani' were used for getting the message
across the masses through folk songs, discussions and interviews with various
local peoples representatives. The local press as well as the national press
gave extensive coverage to this Abhiyan in Sagar district and this led to
spread of the spirit of Pani Roko to every nook and corner of the district.
Media people including the T.V. channels frequently covered Sagar Lake and
Rajghat dam on 10th to 12th March itself M.P. Media team
visited Sagar. On 6th and 7th May the M.P. Bureau Chief
of "The Hindu" Shri Lalit Shastri, M.P. Bureau Chief of "Indian
Express" Shri Yogesh Bajpai and the correspondent of "Star News"
Shri Sandeep Bhusan visited Sagar along with Commissioner, Public Relations
Shri L.K. Joshi on 17th May a T.V. team from "Parakh" also
visited Sagar. The owner of "Nav Bharat" group Shri Prafful Maheswari
and owner of "Bhaskar" group Shri Ramesh Agrawal also visited Sagar
on 21st May and 3rd June respectively. In the
first week of June Shri Deepak Tiwari from "The Week" also visited
Sagar and all this media attention helped in mobilising people for this Abhiyan
as they realised that the whole world is looking at them and they should prove
their capabilities, by making Pani Roko Abhiyan a resounding success.
Visit by Sh. Raja Pateria ji
The desillation work at Sagar
lake started on 26 jan 2001 with the shram-daan by the hoarable minister. He
also under look a town of soc development blocks to mobilize people for 'pani
roko abhiyaan' Visit by Pt. Dev Prabhakar Shastri "Dadda
ji" He did shram-daan at sagar lake and made a personal
contribution of Rs. 25000. he motivated his follower to heartily contribution
to this noble cause. Visit by Jain Muni Acharya Sh. Devnandi ji Maharaj He
delivered his sermon on the lake bed and mobilized his followers to actively
participate in 'Pani Roko Abhiyaan'
Visit by Chief Minister Sh.
Digvijay Singh Ji.
His visit gave great impetus to
this Aandolan in Sagar District. He visited on 14-04-2001 and 15-04-2001.
During his visit he went to Banda,Ghughar (Jaisinagar), Sagauni (Kesli)
Makronia (Sagar). Visit by Home minister Sh. Mahendra Baudh. This
visit to Sagar lake boosted the morale of the people involved in this campaign.
Visit by Mrs. Urmila Singh,
Minister For Tribal welfare
She visited Sagar Lake and
appreciated the great amount of people participated by local people which has
made this programme so successful.
Visit by Ms. Mabel Rebello
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Her visit to Sagar Lake helped
immensely in mobilizing people for water conservation.
Visit by Mr. Praffula Maheswari
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
He not only visited Sagar Talaab
but also appreciated the people’s participation by organising a function in
Ravindra Bhavan. Visit by Shri K.C. Sharma Chief Secretary M.P.
His visit during Gram Sampark
Abhiyan helped the movement in terms of the mobilisation of masses as they
realised that this Abhiyan is their own and every one from the top to the
bottom is out there to help them. He is again coming to Sagar on 23rd
June to see the achievements of the people of Sagar.
This grand success of the abhiyaan could be
achieved due to the active participation and personal concern of the Adhyaksh
Zila Panchayat, Smt. Savita Govind Rajput; Local M.P. Sh. Virendra Kumar; the
M.L.As. Sh. Brij Bihari Pateria, Sh. Surendra Chaudhary, Sh. Harnam Singh
Rathor, Sh. Bhupendra Singh, Smt. Sudha Jain, Sh. Dharmu Rai, Sh. Gopal
Bhargav, Sh. Sudhakar Bapat; The Mayor Sagar Ms. Manorama Gaur; M.P. Youth
Congress President, Sh. Govind Singh Rajput Ex-Ministers Sh Vithal Bhai Patel,
Sh. Prabhu Singh Thakur, Sh. Sunil Jain; Vice-President M.P. Congress
Committee, Sh.Arunoday Chaubey, Ex-Adhyaksh Zila Panchayat Sh.Swadesh Jain,
Ex-M.P., Sh. Dal Chand Jain and all other people’s representatives. Senior
administrative officers like Secretary to C.M. Sh. R. Gopala Krishnan Secretary
in-charge Sh. M.M. Dahima, Commissioner, Dr.Devraj Birdi; Principal Secretary
Sh. Iqbal Ahmed etc. also provided the valuable support and guidance for making
this Abhiyan successful.