JHANSI, Uttar Pradesh (India CSR): S M Sehgal Foundation, in collaboration with DCB Bank and NIRDPR (National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj) as the knowledge partner, held the fourth and final workshop of ‘Jalagam’, the Capacity Building and Experience Sharing series in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on March 14, 2024. Ms. Anjali Makhija, Trustee & CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation, inaugurated the workshop and launched the white paper consolidating best practices to promote community stewardship in mitigating climate change and promoting water security at the grassroots. The white paper features community stewardship for water management from various regions across India. It shares pathways building community resilience to climate change through an ecosystem approach, including women and youth as key stakeholders to water security.
The workshop was graced by Dr. Heera Lal, IAS, Special Secretary of Irrigation for the Government of Uttar Pradesh, who joined as the chief guest. As a climate action leader, he remarked, “We have been disrespecting the water resource, without realizing that water is correlated with agriculture, environment and even income. To be able to address water security, we need to have it in our thoughts and actions.” He shared about his extensive work in Banda in the Bundelkhand region where they collectively rejuvenated wells and ponds. Additionally, they developed simple yet innovative communication tools to effectively convey the message of water conservation to communities, beginning from schoolchildren. “Minimizing the use of plastics, the biggest enemy of water, and planting trees to add oxygen to the environment and water-efficiency in agriculture are solutions that urgently need to be implemented,” he emphasized.
Discussant Ms. Ruchira Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor, CSR PPP PA, NIRDPR, elaborated on the scope of planning on water management and highlighted the role of training and capacity building in enhancing water efficiency within communities, and mutual learning.
Following this, Munish Gangwar (Retd. GM, NABARD) delivered a special address titled ‘Integrated Perspectives on Community-Led Water Security’, shedding light on crucial aspects of sustainable water management, highlighting how as an individual one can contribute with other partners for the overall benefit of the community. He further shared that it is the people who are suffering the most due to water scarcity, know about solutions the best. Altruistic leaders are present in each village, and they need to be nurtured. He emphasized that the model villages developed should be replicated on a large scale.
The first panel session discussed two pertinent themes viz; community championing the cause of water security and climate change impacting health via water availability and quality. The two thematic discussions in this panel were moderated by Mr. Dhruv Singh, Executive Director, Margshree Trust and Mr. Lalit Mohan Sharma, Principal Scientist, S M Sehgal Foundation. Panelists Ms. Kalpana Khare, Director, Gramonnati Sansthan; Ms. Nidhi Tripathi; and Mr. Anil Kumar, Water Champions, shared grassroots insights.
The second panel, which explored the Inter-stakeholder perspective and convergence initiatives to mitigate water security issues in Bundelkhand, was moderated by Mr. Ajay Srivastava, Secretary, Sai Jyoti Sansthan. Dr. Shailendra Nath Pandey, Water Consultant; and Dr. Smriti Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Institute of Environment and Development Studies shared their experiences.
Ms. Niti Saxena, Principal Scientist, Rural Research and Development, S M Sehgal Foundation, discussed the way forward and plans for future collaboration. Ms. Vrindaa Sharma Sr. Research Associate, S M Sehgal Foundation, gave the vote of thanks.
