Also:
Meet a Woman from Bundelkhand | Check-Dams and Irrigation |
Check-Dam Evaluation Study | Bundelkhand Region |
DA Activities in Bundelkhand

DA Activities in Bundelkhand

Development Alternatives' first project in Bundelkhand, "the Greening of Barren Hillocks" in Datia district, began in 1987 and set the trend for future interventions. Moisture conservation measures were implemented to transform 238 acres of totally denuded hilly area into forested land.

DA undertook its first micro-irrigation or check-dam project in the Bundelkhand Region as part of a government of Madhya Pradesh employment generation scheme. Most of the subsequent check-dams constructed by DA/Jhansi were part of similar government initiatives, such as Jawahar Rojgar Yojana. In 1992, DA/Jhansi initiated an Integrated Wasteland Development Project in the Pahuj-Betwa watershed, Babina block of Jhansi district, at the request of the Department of Wasteland Development. A total of 589 hectares of land was rejuvenated under the project which ended in 1997. Between 1995 and 1997, DA/Jhansi implemented a project sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology with the goal of creating sustainable livelihoods based on sustainable resource generation and utilisation among scheduled caste families in Bundelkhand. The resource regeneration component of the project included construction of several check-dams. Recently, DA also constructed three check-dams and upgraded two wells on the 100 acre sericulture farm in Sehore district owned by the MP government. A third check-dam is currently under construction.

An additional three check-dams were constructed under the corporate funded Water of Life Project, sponsored by United Distilleries (UD). This project was envisioned as an entry-point activity to reach the greater and more comprehensive goal of watershed development. It was a concentrated effort to provide adequate water for irrigation to people living in 5-6 villages on either side of the Ghurari. The project also involved improving drinking water sources by upgrading several wells and installing and upgrading several handpumps.

The main objectives of the check-dam projects were to recharge ground water reserves and increase the availability of water for agricultural purpose. As most of the check-dams were not constructed as part of any comprehensive development plan but were stand alone activities, they were not preceded by detailed community mobilization activities. In addition, the goals and objectives of the projects were not clearly defined during the planning phase and strategies for maintaining the check-dams, as well as monitoring and evaluating the projects, were not outlined. With respect to selecting villages to participate in the projects, methods varied. In some cases, district and or block level government officials chose the villages. In other cases, DA recruited villages for involvement in the projects or villagers independently requested assistance from DA.

A limited degree of beneficiary participation in project planning and construction was desired as part of the check-dam projects. Villagers were involved in project planning through participatory workshops that consulted them about site selection. Villagers were also involved in construction of the dams: women and men were paid an equal daily wage to build the structures with DA oversight. However, no mechanism was created for community maintenance of the structures and little or no monitoring was done after the completion of dam construction. Villagers were provided technical advice on repairs at their request.

DA's current follow-on projects

Since DA first began working in Bundelkhand, a number of new development projects have been initiated in the region. For example, the World Bank's Uttar Pradesh Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation (SWAJAL) Programme will be carried out in 350 villages in Bundelkhand and 650 villages in Uttarkhand. DA/Jhansi has served as one of the implementing partners for this project since 1996, working in Jhansi district. The project is need-based and integrated in its approach. It includes a cost-sharing component whereby participating communities are required to contribute 10% of the total cost in cash or labor. Communities, in turn, maintain and operate the assets created. Non-formal education, hygiene and environmental sanitation awareness, development initiatives for women and other activities have been combined in the project.

DA has also recently started a watershed conservation and development project under the aegis of the Council for the Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) in Tikamgarh district promoting reforestation and soil and water management activities. Both of these projects represent a change in approach to community development for DA/Jhansi: 1) they include a high degree of stakeholder participation in all project stages, including operation and maintenance where relevant; 2) they include the collection of comprehensive baseline data using PRA methods and involve the community in monitoring and evaluating project impacts; 3) they include educational and empowerment components with a focus on women.

More information about check-dams is available from:

Also:
Meet a Woman from Bundelkhand | Check-Dams and Irrigation |
Check-Dam Evaluation Study | Bundelkhand Region |
DA Activities in Bundelkhand