As mercury soars higher across India, a CSR initiative is ensuring uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water for residents of Maharashtra’s Nagpur. The CSR project is aimed at restoring the Sawangi canal in Nagpur. This has led to improved fertility of around 400 hectares of land and benefited 200 families. The residents can now enjoy safe drinking water and also water for irrigation and livestock.
The CSR project aims to support agricultural and other activities of over 1,200 farmers and indirectly support over 3,000 farmers and their family members.
Nitin Gadkari praises CSR Project
Appreciating the initiative, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who is also the Member of Parliament from Nagpur constituency, said that the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra needs more such initiatives to help prevent farmer suicides. “I appreciate the initiative’s role in uplifting the lives of farmers and extend best wishes for the project’s continued success and lasting impact in the years ahead.”
How the CSR project was implemented?
The project which began in February last year, has now been completed with the widening and deepening of 4.11-km canal stretch spanning from ridge to valley, improving groundwater levels and the standard of living for farmers, livestock and wildlife in the area. The Tamaswada pattern of water conservation was followed here. The project focussed on desilting and restoration of the canal to ensure optimal water storage and prevention of soil erosion.
The Sawangi Canal Project created 1,00,000 cubic metres of surface water storage and contributed 2,25,000 cubic metres of ground water annually, as per an announcement. The project aimed at addressing the scarcity of water in the area was part of a Corporate Social Responsibility programme initiated by logistics conglomerate Allcargo Group’s CSR arm Avashya Foundation in collaboration with non-profit organisations Sadbhavana Gramin Vikas Sanstha and Purti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha.
Allcargo Group founder and chairman Shashi Kiran Shetty said, “We are pleased to play a part in addressing the water scarcity in Vidarbha region and flourishing the rural economy. Restoring water sources along with strengthening groundwater reserves will revive rivers, wetlands, and forests.”
CSR for Water Conservation in Palghar
Meanwhile, JM Financial Foundation has been implementing the Integrated Village Development Project in a cluster of seven villages and 15 hamlets of Mokhada block in Palghar, Maharashtra. Over the years, the project has attempted to establish the non-necessity of relying on large, constructed water conservation structures, by promoting Continuous Contour Trenches (CCTs) along hill slopes in some of the most water-scarce areas of the block.
A total of 10,794 CCTs were dug and deepened year on year, leading to an in-situ water conservation, and natural recharge of groundwater, while also preventing run-off of surface water in the abundant monsoons in this region. Besides, the project has promoted rainwater harvesting with the digging of 294 small farm ponds.
Since its initiation in 2018, the project has worked on enhancing agricultural yield, encouraging multi-cropping and farming in two seasons. These efforts have entailed regular, scientific training, followed by advanced agri-inputs being provided to 1,100+ marginal and small farmers, handheld throughout, as per an announcement.
