Mauda, which was one of the most water-deficient tehsils of Nagpur district, has now become water-surplus. Following the success stories of Jalayukta Shivar in the State, the Government of Maharashtra joined hands with Art of Living for a new technique that helps in increasing the groundwater level in the tehsil. River rejuvenation with the help of ‘Trap the rain where it falls’ technique, helped to increase the ground water level in Mauda. The technique is developed by Art of Living and is funded by Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) to improve the groundwater level in the tehsil. Sandeep Shirkhedkar, a civil engineer and Apex Member of Art of Living, who is innovator of this technique, shared the details about the project that is implemented by the Government to restore groundwater level in Nagpur district.

 

“In the process, we create ponds in nullahs throughout the stretch which can hold the rain water for a long period.” It gets enough time to percolate water and increase the groundwater level. We also undertake deepening, desiliting and widening trenches on both sides of the nullah which also help to percolate water, said Shirkhedkar to The Hitavada. “The project has started in 2017 and we have covered more than 200 kms under this project in Mauda, Hingna and Kamptee tehsils so far. Even, we have finished the whole work in Mauda taluka which is one of the most water deficient tehsils in the district,” said Ranjeet Ghivtonde, Member, Art of Living.

 

“Today, rain water harvesting is a topic of discussion everywhere but there is less awareness about importance of the topic among the rural masses. Spreading awareness about the project and water conservation among villagers is also a part of the project,” said Ghivtonde. The team of Art of Living is currently working at Dhanla, Ashti-Dahegaon and Anjangaon villages in Mauda which is the last phase of the project in the tahsil. The then Guardian Minister of Nagpur Chandrashekhar Bawankule provided Rs 23 crore fund to implement the project in Mauda and other parts of the district. The team is getting good support from the State Government, NTPC, Mauda and other private companies which are providing the CSR funds for this project. Art of Living invested Rs 68 lakh for the machinery and NTPC provided Rs 78 lakh for the fuel charges of those machinery, informed Ghivtonde.

 

He said, “Villagers have now realised importance of rainwater harvesting in their areas. They are now voluntarily extending good response to the project.” While stressing importance of the project, Ghivtonde pointed out that the farmers were badly in need of water couple of years ago for their agricultural crops such as paddy, wheat and chilly in the final stage. But, the stored rain water in this project came to their rescue and they used it to give a lease of life to their crops. In last four years, more than 150 villages are benefited of this project.

 

We have plans to initiate the project in Ramtek and Parsheoni talukas in near future, he added. The rainfall intensity in Nagpur is increasing every year but the annual rainfall remains the same. However, the soil is not capable to absorb the excess rainwater and store it. Therefore, the water is directly washed away through rivers, without recharging the groundwater level. These villages of Mauda tehsil come under Pench project. Due to restriction of water supply to Maharashtra from Chaurai dam, these villages are facing water crisis. Keeping this status in mind, the team decided to initiate the project from Mauda tehsil.