Mayank Gandhi Brings Transformative Joy to Villagers as Gunwara River Project Completes 1st Phase

The project is set to transform 10,000 hectares of farmland and uplift the lives of over 15,000 people, marking a milestone in rural revival.

By Rusen Kumar

Parli (Beed)/Maharashtra (India CSR): The first phase of deepening and widening a 4-kilometer stretch of the Gunwara River flowing through Tapovan village in the Parli region of Maharashtra’s Beed district has been successfully completed. Led by Mayank Gandhi, Global Vikas Trust is spearheading this ambitious project with the goal of reviving a total of 10 kilometers of the river.

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Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods

In an interaction with India CSR, Mayank Gandhi shared that the project is expected to directly benefit 10,000 hectares of farmland and around 15,000 people. This will lead to a transformation in the region’s agrarian economy and raise the standard of living of its residents.

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Gunwara River: Lifeline of Parli Region

Originating from the Balaghat hills, the 30-kilometer-long Gunwara River eventually merges with the Godavari River. It is a lifeline for the Parli region. The river’s revival is expected to solve the area’s longstanding water crisis. Earlier, groundwater levels had fallen to 400–500 feet. Now, they are likely to rise to just 50–60 feet. This will not only make water available for drinking and household use but also significantly improve irrigation.

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Vision Behind the Project

Addressing the villagers, Mayank Gandhi said, “A village draws its strength from its rivers. When a river flows, the village breathes. Our aim is not just river cleaning, but the holistic upliftment of rural life.” He also mentioned that the project was launched based on the success of similar efforts on the Papanashi River in Parli taluka and at Rui village in Gevrai taluka.

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Relief for Local Farmers

Villagers shared that the region is known for cultivating soybean, cotton, tur, chana, jowar, sugarcane, mulberry, and custard apple. However, recurring water shortages in recent years had severely impacted farming. The river rejuvenation project is expected to restore irrigation, allowing farmers to cultivate regularly and profitably once again.

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A Historic Initiative for Future Generations

Villagers including Chandrakant Karad, Sidhu Karad, and Sangeet Charaya Kanse praised Global Vikas Trust and Mayank Gandhi for their efforts. They described the initiative as a historic step that will benefit future generations. The project not only addresses the water crisis but also strengthens environmental balance, agricultural output, and the rural economy.

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Celebration Marks Completion of First Phase

To commemorate the completion of the first phase, a special event was organized. It was graced by Mayank Gandhi, founder and managing trustee of Global Vikas Trust and renowned social reformer. He was joined by his wife Minal Gandhi, Bharat Gandhi Trust co-founder Dr. Wage, local sarpanch Chandrakant Karad, Sidhu Karad, and Sangeet Charaya Kanse.

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Community Participation Turns Project into a Movement

The event saw enthusiastic participation from local panchayat representatives, farmers, and hundreds of villagers. Their collective support transformed the initiative into a people’s movement. Villagers appreciated the efforts of the trust and contributed wholeheartedly to the project’s success.

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• Read an Interview with Mayank Gandhi: Transforming Marathwada: Mayank Gandhi’s Mission for Agricultural Revival through GVT 2.0 – India CSR

A Model for River Rejuvenation Nationwide: Rusen Kumar

This river revival project has now become a source of inspiration for the entire region. On this occasion, India CSR Founder and CEO Rusen Kumar was present as the special guest. Addressing the villagers, he remarked, “Efforts like these in water conservation drive real social transformation. Reviving a river is not just about making water available; it is about breathing new life into an entire village.”

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Global Vikas Trust and CSR Partnerships

Farmer Welfare in Parli, Marathwada

Global Vikas Trust, led by social reformer Mayank Gandhi, is working actively in the Parli region of Marathwada to uplift farmers through sustainable development projects. The Trust collaborates with various corporates under their CSR initiatives to support large-scale water conservation, river rejuvenation, and agricultural development.

These partnerships have helped revive rivers, improve irrigation, and restore groundwater levels, directly benefiting thousands of farmers. The efforts aim to boost agricultural productivity, reduce migration, and create long-term rural prosperity in drought-prone areas of Marathwada.

(Copyright@IndiaCSR)

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About the Author: Rusen Kumar

Rusen Kumar is a renowned journalist in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability, and the Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR—India’s largest and most influential CSR and sustainability media platform. He was recently on a week-long grassroots journey across the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, engaging directly with farmers, and closely studying agrarian challenges, rural development models, and impactful solutions on the ground. Through his fieldwork and interactions, he aims to highlight transformative efforts in agriculture and bring national attention to the urgent need for rural empowerment and sustainable livelihood solutions.

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