Dying water body revived by poor korku tribe

Almost 100 Korku tribal families of Mohanya Dhana village in East Nimar of Madhya Pradesh face water shortage during every summer season. Desilting and reviving old natural water harvesting structures like wells and ponds in these dense areas is indeed a big challenge.

During summer most of the water bodies dry up leaving not a single drop of water for consumption.

The villagers are compelled to search alternate source of water in the far-flung areas. “Our community’s biggest problem is water, if you can help us solve it we will be very happy”, expressed by Ramsingh Kajle an elderly villager from Mohanya Dhana.

Caritas India SABAL programme works with Korku Communities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra towards ensuring food security and enhancing the nutrition status. Apart from helping Korkus to obtain food and nutrition security, the program also helps communities to gain control of community resources like forest, land and water bodies.

Spandan Samaj Seva Samiti, a grassroots organization of SABAL program brought the tribal community together in a meeting to discuss the water crisis.  It was observed that villagers are willing to revive their own water resource but require support.

The team assured some incentives to all those who contribute towards the cleaning/desilting of well. Every person who will work toward cleaning/desilting of the well will be provided 2kg rice, 250 gm pulses and 100 ml oil per day and a set of clothes for the work. The SABAL team finalised the terms and conditions with the community and initiated the work.

Community members participated in large numbers and put all their effort in desilting of well and carting away of debris to revive the well.

“My wife doesn’t have to go far to fetch the water now”, says Suresh in humor. Now all the families of Mohanya Dhana village get the benefit and draw water from the well. They have realised that a little support from outside can bring a massive change.