NRM & Livelihood
Natural Resource Management & Livelihood
Overview
Southern Rajasthan is characterized by both a harsh landscape and climate. The Aravali Mountains make rural areas difficult to reach and the climate swings between 4° C and 48° C depending on the time of year. Farming is the primary livelihood of the region’s inhabitants, yet water is so scarce that only 13% of cultivated land has any form of irrigation. The intensity of the problems at hand demands a multi-pronged solution in order for sustainable development to occur.
Strategy
Mahan Seva Sansthan’s goal of its Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Livelihood programs is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Aravali people. To achieve this goal, MSS has developed a three pronged strategy, teaching villagers how to sustainably manage the resources they already have, building water harvesting facilities and educating villagers about how to maintain them, and conducting training session for the villagers on better farming practices and alternate revenue sources. By using this strategy, MSS can reach its goal and the people of the Aravali hills can live stable lives thanks to their newfound water and food security.
Tactics
Promoting new farming techniques which are more cost effective
Developing villagers skill set to enhance community participation in pastureland development
Forming Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and training them on how to manage community property
Implementing water harvesting techniques:
- Gully Plugs
- Continuous Contour Trenches
- Field Bunding
- Check Dams & Gabions
- Deepening and up gradation of Well
- Anicuts
Interventions
MSS’s intervention projects are based upon the principal “Khet ka Pani Khet mai, Gaon ka Pani Gaon mai,” which means “Water of the field should remain in the field and a village’s water should be consumed in the village.” Our aim is to train villagers in sustainable water management and conservation for their own security. Since nearly all of the region’s annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season (July & August), rainfall retention during the rains is the anchor of our intervention.
Programmes supported by us under Natural Resource Management:
- Agricultural Demonstration
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Water Source Development
- Pasture Land Development
- Water Harvesting Structure
- Vermi-compost Making
- Cooperative Society
Results
Increased ground water level in project areas after adopting water harvesting process.
Increasing rate in crop with quality after using of new techniques.
Now small, marginal and barren lands are also have taken in productive use through horticulture development and vermin compost processing unit.
Increased the tribal economy after adopting organic farming approaches and natural resource management.
Summary of Mahan Seva Sansthan’s Natural Resource Management Interventions, 2009
