Monthly Update 3. RSG. December 08-January 09

Monthly Update-003: Rufford Small Grant

By: Dr. Nilesh Heda

11^th December 08 to 27^th January 2009

This year, there is a severe drought in the study area. Due to this drought the Adan river becomes substantially dry. As a result, there is shortage of the livelihood options in the area. Thus there is hunger and lack of unemployment in whole area. We believe that, if livelihood of local people is not secured, they will not involve in the conservation. Thus, using National Rural Employment Guaranty Scheme (NREGS) of government of India, we are working for the livelihood issue of local people. The NREGS involve conservation work like deforestation, soil and water conservation etc. But due to many reasons this scheme is not operational in the large part of India. Along with about 400 labors, we have demonstrated through peaceful, democratic way and pursue this subject to higher authorities. As a result on 17 January about 400 people got livelihood for the conservation of river. Authorities sanctioned 11 small tanks in the Adan river Basin.

Figure 1 People working on NREGS work of river conservation. They are constructing 11 small tanks. This will save river from siltation, a major problem of this area.

 

Figure 2 NREGS WORK OF RIVER CONSERVATION STARTED. A SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF RIVER CONSERVATION AS WELL AS LIVELIHOOD FOR POOR.