Discussion held on the need for collective action at the community level for the implementation of integrated water management strategies
NAGPUR (India CSR): Ambuja Foundation hosted a thought-provoking session in Nagpur, calling for investment in and creating awareness around climate resilience in the Vidarbha area. The event saw a gathering of diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, corporates, government bodies, development practitioners, academia, and civil society organizations, to discuss this critical issue.
Expert Insights on Climate Resilience
Speakers at the event included eminent experts from NITI Aayog, NABARD, ICRISAT, and other renowned organizations. Mr. Popatrao Pawar, Deputy Sarpanch of Hiware Bazaar, Ahmednagar, shared his insights on the importance of community ownership in water conservation. He emphasized, “It is not the conservation that matters but the process after conservation. A feeling of ownership amongst the community should be created so that people take care of their water sources.”
Panel Discussions Highlight Collective Action
Two panel discussions focused on the need for collective action at the community level to implement integrated water management strategies. Local community members shared their experiences, highlighting how a sense of ownership can address water scarcity in their villages. Panelists discussed the challenges faced and the required technologies for water conservation, stressing the importance of training people at the grassroots level to develop sustainable water resource management strategies.
Emphasis on Stakeholder Engagement
Key speakers, joining virtually, underscored the need for convergence, consortium, and collective action from stakeholders and the community. They highlighted that stakeholder engagement should be the basis of any water program and that an integrated approach is essential to address the challenge of climate resilience. One speaker emphasized the indirect pollution of water through air and land pollution, stressing the importance of grey water management.
Ambuja Foundation’s Efforts in Vidarbha
Ambuja Foundation has been proactive in addressing the water crisis through various initiatives in the Vidarbha region. Working in Chandrapur and Nagpur districts, the Foundation has reached over 1 lakh households across 1100 villages. Their integrated water management approach has led to significant improvements, including:
A 1.2-meter increase in the water table in monitoring wells.
A 25-30% increase in production due to the application of silt.
A 10-15% increase in agricultural productivity.
Enhanced adaptive capacity of vulnerable farmers to withstand climate variability.
The Ambuja Foundation
Ambuja Foundation is an independent, pan-India development organization committed to generating prosperous rural communities. With investments in water, agriculture, skills, women, health, and education, the Foundation enables ‘livelihoods’ as a pathway to unleashing rural potential. Partnering with corporates, governments, and communities, Ambuja Foundation has transformed remote geographies over three decades, aiming to build many more sustainable, prosperous rural communities and revitalize rural India as the backbone of the country.
(India CSR)
