To intensify the efforts towards land and water conservation, Caritas India laid down the new strategic thinking of animation empowerment, dialogue, volunteerism and resource development and management in the region.

10 partner organization were invited for the Central Tamil Nadu Cluster Programme orientation workshop on land and water on September 19-20, 2017 at TASOSS, Trichy. Zonal Manager, Mr. John Arockiaraj and Thematic Manager of Climate Adaptive Agriculture & Livelihood, Dr. Haridas from Caritas India facilitated the two-days’ workshop.

It was proposed that through dialogue the overstressed communities, particularly women, children and the most vulnerable have access to adequate nutritious food to maintain a healthy living. The food security can be ensured through enhancing the quality and quantity of food intake, facilitating the supply of traditional millets and pulses through Public Distribution System, promoting similar food pattern in the Anganwadis and ensuring distribution of climate resilient seeds to the farming community. Promotion of nutrition garden to ensure intake of nutrition food is suggested as an integral component of this programme.

Ms. Roseline of CEEMA- Erode said “this programme should not only educate on the  cultivation of right food but also right way of cooking and consumption so as to improve the health and well-being of the poor”.

Ms.  Agnes, the point person of Coimbatore MSSS with 2 decades of development experience said that the time has come to think about “Cadre and Movement Building”.

“Caritas India in the drought assessment has given insights into the magnitude of negative impacts of environmental issues and the urgency to tackle them collectively to safeguard the dignity and human rights of the vulnerable and marginalized of the society”, said Mr.Lawrence of Madurai.

Dr. Haridas said the Social economic data is vital in preparation of drought Proofing Plan. Our interventions should reduce unsafe migration and protect communities from distress selling or abandoning of livestock.

Ms. Amalorpavarani of Pudukottai MSSS said that from the planning stage of  the programme itself we should have well devised  strategies to  address the issues of farmers suicide and unethical  exploitation of natural resources by vested interest.

Mr. Arockiaraj from Sivagangai MSSS emphasized  that farmers need to be schooled  to abandon water intensive agricultural practices and adopt crops that are suited to areas that receive less rainfall.

Mr. Justin of Trichy and Ms. Suguna of Coimbatore are confident that the existing innovative  models among the member organisations can be the source of inspiration and cross learning.

Mr. Bosco from Dindigul MSSS shared his experience that good governance mechanism at local level should be ensured so that it can look into the possibility of promoting Cash for Work through MGNREGA that aims at protecting and nurturing of Water source, common property resources and reserved forests.

It was discussed that People’s movement should be oriented towards advocacy dialogue focusing on the following:

• As most of the industries use lot water, they may be made more responsible on these kinds of issues to provide support.
• Periodical de siltation of lakes, ponds and canals .
• Construction of dams ,check dams, water tanks, drinking water storage containers  and community irrigation wells which would help recharge of water in wells. Preference should be given to dalit communities. Promote traditional systems of water harvesting.
• Creating awareness with the community on the importance of Insurance and ensure insurance for livestock are done.
• Fodder cultivation on the bunds to be promoted
• To empower the PRIs to develop Grazing land in poromboke area.
• To promote indigenous breeds of livestock Livelihood
• Stressing on sustainable farming with promotion of livestock that would create a cycle by its own.
• Livestock support for the Landless people should be considered in the long run and also provision for providing land for them should be considered.
• Farmers need to be supported to abandon water intensive agricultural practices (with a provision of compensation for risk taking by way of soft loans) and adopt crops that are suited to areas that receive less rainfall

This programme on land and water issues after much deliberation is unanimously named as “THULIR” meaning “TO SPROUT” with the tag line “Towards Green Nature”. All the partners are ready to dialogue with the community and service providers to promote green nature. It was observed that the partners are happy that they are involved in every stages of programme development which increased their ownership.

The participants expressed their unanimous conviction towards the proposed intervention strategies which needs to go beyond project and lead towards sustainability with strong awareness and community led processes.