Vol. 3	No. 5	October  2001

Royal water crusader

The 38th Rathore Chief of Marwar, maharaja Gaj Singh, popularly known as Bapji, and Rajendra Singh, secretary of Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS), an Alwar-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), teamed up to popularise community-led water harvesting practices in the Thar region. The campaign was referred as Jal Chetna Yatra (JCY) and was organised between October 6 - 8, 2001, in six villages of Pali, Barmer and Jalore districts of western Rajasthan.

The CSE staffer, who was a part of the yatra was fascinated by the ability of the maharaja and Rajendra Singh to relate to the villagers in their own language, addressing their immediate concerns. The respect for Gaj Singh among the villagers was evident. The manner in which the entire yatra was organised also spoke volumes on the willingness of the organisers and people to work towards a wetter future together.

Day: 1
The yatra was launched from Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur. On October 6, the palace wore a colourful look, as the sardars of the former princely state of Jodhpur were joined by the villagers from the seven districts of western Rajasthan, namely, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi and Pali. Rajendra Singh inaugurated the function by sharing his organisation's experiences of reviving the traditional water harvesting systems in Alwar district, Rajasthan. While clarifying his role to act like a catalyst, the maharaja stressed on community participation to solve the existing water crisis.

Day: 2
The team reached Rohet, Pali district on October 7 for a public meeting. The villagers came from far and near to listen to Rajendra Singh and Gaj Singh. This meeting gave them a chance to share their problems and clarify their apprehensions. Apart from relating his work, Rajendra Singh particularly emphasised the importance of people's involvement in developing local common property resources. Gaj Singh reiterated that it was time for the people to start relying on themselves.

The villagers informed about how they have been adversely affected by the pollution of river Bandi, which flows through the region. Gangadhan Charan of village Gadhwara, Rohet tehsil, Pali district informed, "The river used to provide sweet water to grow vegetables, watermelons and other fruits too. The upsurge of dyeing units in Pali has drastically deteriorated the water quality." Their doubts were laid to rest when they were reassured that even though the topography of Marwar region was different than Alwar region, rainwater harvesting still had the potential to drought-proof.

Chakravarti Singh, the erstwhile sardar organised the second public meeting in village Rakhi, Barmer district. In the very beginning, he sounded a note of caution, that, "This meeting should not be considered as a political stunt." Both Rajendra Singh and Gaj Singh sensitised the villagers on the benefits of community-led water harvesting. During the meeting, the villagers submitted a proposal for constructing a water harvesting structure for which Rs 3 lakh were sanctioned.

Day: 3
At Bhardrajun in Jalore district a huge crowd had gathered to explore options that could solve their persistent water problem. Raja Gopal Singh, the erstwhile sardar and speaker of Rajasthan's legislative assembly, living in Bhardrajun village had organised the meeting. While expressing his gratitude, the maharaja said "In the present context maharajas no longer have wealth. I am lucky to have invaluable wealth in the form of your support and dedication to mitigate this perpetual problem."

Similar meetings were organised in Kolar, Guda Keshar Singh and Chokharia in Pali district. Gaj Singh and Rajendra Singh performed a bhumi pujan and shramdaan at the site of an anicut in Kolar, which was constructed with the assistance of CARE, Rajasthan and TBS and needed further strengthening after the monsoon.

Maharaja and Rajendra Singh involved in shramdaan

The first JCY concluded with the formation of a core group under the chairmanship of the maharaja to approve and monitor community-led projects. It was decided that only those proposals, where the community would be willing to contribute one-third of the total project cost would be considered. The villages that were covered during the yatra have already submitted about 49 proposals for works like, anicuts, khadins (earthen embankment), repair of wells and dhoras (earthen embankment), digging of wells, farm bunds, developing pasturelands and plantation.

Water management practices are strongly rooted in the local social fabric, which are further strengthened by sincere awareness generation efforts like this JCY.The people's enthusiastic response has initiated a preparatory process to launch the next yatra, in the near future

For further information:
Brig Shakti Singh
Umaid Bhavan Palace,
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Tel: 0291-510101
Fax: 0291-510100/928
marwar@del3.vsnl.net.in