3 and 4 quarters progress report april to december, 2015...the vaitarna, the surya, the wagh and the...

Backwardness Alleviation:

Convergent, Collective, Community Change Programme

for

Water, Sanitation, Food, Livelihood and Bio-diversity Security

in

3 Backward Blocks of Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu

A Citizen-led Experiment using 6- Resource Framework for Strategising Backwardness

Alleviation in Mokhada Block of Thane District, Maharashtra, Muniguda Block of

Rayagada District, Odisha and Veppur Block of Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu

3rd and 4th Quarters Progress Report

April to December, 2015

Submitted to UNDP

13th December, 2015

Barefoot Academy of Governance

4/7, 2nd Floor, VNK Building, Errabalu Chetty Street, Chennai – 600001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.barefootgovernance.org

Phone: 044-25351474

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.barefootgovernance.org/

3rd and 4th Quarters’ Progress Report submitted to UNDP

April – December, 2015


Deliverables-Tranche 4/ MCG-UNDP

1. Submission and acceptance of the completion report on

trainings to block level change agents and action plan on

trainings to Village Panchayat Presidents/ Gram Sabha

Representatives/ other local leaders. (Ann. 1 – A and B)

2. Submission and acceptance of Final report on outcomes of

village baseline activities (status studies on Water, Sanitation,

Food & Agriculture, Bio-Diversity and Livelihoods). (Ann. 2 –

A to C)

3. Final report on Campaign on open defecation. (Ann. 3A –C)




Introduction

In this report we share the progress in the 3 Blocks related to

activating and empowering the Block Level Change agents to take forward

the change programme in each block. As highlighted previously, the entire

conceptual thrust of this programme has been to provide sufficient

exposure and training to local leaders – irrespective of whether they are

Panchayat samiti members, Presidents or Sarpanches (as the elected head

of the Village Panchayats are called in the 3 states) or youth and local

leaders, including women. As we have stressed earlier, the entire approach

is to ensure that local people demand good governance as their right and to

ensure that they themselves take charge of the type of developmental

programmes undertaken in their respective areas. The programme

consciously kept away from investing in setting up capital-intensive

infrastructure or from giving development doles or welfare funds. Instead

the programme was based on the confidence that if people saw value in the

change programme which they see and experience as being inclusive,

participatory and equitable they will be willing to invest their own

resources – human, knowledge, material and money – to take forward their

change programme addressing sustainable development needs.

Our faith at the end of the first phase of the programme has been

fully vindicated. The biggest difficulty was overcoming the negative

consequences of existing government and NGO programmes which

inundate the local areas with funds from outside turning local villagers into

recipients of aid and not makers of their own destinies. After the initial

doubts, questions and misgivings were addressed, people willingly came

forward to take charge of the development programmes they felt best

suited them. It was no longer “by” outsiders for them; it was now the local

people “doing” for themselves!

We have now demonstrable impacts in all the 3 Blocks of how local

villagers have contributed to the process of determining for themselves the

priorities for development. For example in Mokhada Block in Maharashtra,

numerous women have come forward to attend training workshops and

public meetings in which they discuss how to address the severe water

shortages during the summer months and the type of demand they should




make from the authorities to ensure that water pumped out from their area

was also shared with local villages. Meetings held in different villages had

people contributing rice and pulses, apart from vegetables and greens for

the lunches prepared for training meeting participants.

In Veppur, children of Ogalur village were mobilised to clean the

water tank in their village in October, 2015, ahead of the north-east

monsoons that normally starts in November – December, 2015. In the

beginning only a small number of youth and school students participated.

But seeing them more people, including adults joined the tank cleaning

effort. Locals also contributed refreshments to the participants. A sum of

Rs. 6,000 + has been collected to use motorised vehicles to clean bigger

water tanks filled with huge thorn bushes, rising to the height of small

trees. In Odiyam Panchayat when there was campaign recently on

protecting water resources and utilising IHHLs, the President contributed

for the campaign. We never gave TA for farmers who have been

participating in our Organic farming related initiatives.

In Muniguda the strengthening of the `Kutumba’s’ has led to a

dramatic change in the response of local villagers and their willingness to

engage in discussions around the type of developments taking place around

them. A good number of women have been mobilised, especially around

issues of `Uncultivated Foods’ (UCF) which has also led to increased

attention to deforestation of local forests and the importance of citizen

mobilisation to prevent further forest losses.

In this report we shall focus on the following:

(i) The type of training provided in the different stake holders

in the three Blocks and the type of action plans which have

emerged;

(ii) Outcomes of the different status studies and baseline

activities;

(iii) Brief note on the status of the campaign against open

defecation free villages.




Two caveats about the Report

Two caveats are in order at this juncture. The work in all the 3 places is

a continuing `Work in progress’. Following our approach of making

context-specific, socially and culturally centred, citizen led programmes,

the path of activities in each of the three Blocks is distinctively individual

and different. The overall programme principles underline all the activities

but the pathways are different taking into account priorities identified by

local people. Hence each of the narratives should be read separately.

It is important to flag another issue about this report. Since the three

experiences have their own trajectory which was unique, it was challenging

to disjunct the reports of the three Blocks into different portions because of

the need to address each of the deliverables required as part of the 4th

Tranche. While we have separated the report of the trainings in Mokhada

and Muniguda in the first deliverable as Ann. 1 A and B, we have included

the element of Action Plans along with the discussion on outcomes of

Baseline activities in Annexures 2 A and B. Similarly we have reported

extensively of the training programmes in previous reports from Veppur so

we are including a full description of the outcomes arising from the

Baseline activities, which includes brief discussion on the training followed.

So the deliverables will be split into different reporting sections. We

wanted to prevent clumsy reading and to ensure we have a coherently

reading report.




Deliverable 1: Annexure 1

Report on trainings to block level change agents and action plan on

trainings to Village Panchayat Presidents/ Gram Sabha

Representatives/ other local leaders.

Ann. 1 – A:

The Mokhada Experience

Mokhada Water and Sanitation Rights Campaign – Report of Training

to Different Stake Holders and the Action Plans Evolved

Background

Mokhada Taluka, of Palghar district probably ranks amongst the

most backward talukas (blocks) in the state, intermittently making

headlines on issues like malnutrition deaths, acute water scarcity,

epidemics, etc. Demographically, the taluka is predominantly tribal,

populated by the Thakurs, Warlis, Koknas, Kathkaris, Mahadev Kolis, Dhor

Kolis, with a small population of Scheduled Castes, OBCs, Muslims and

forward castes.

Acute poverty and deprivation marks the existence of the majority of

the adivasis, and over 90% of the hamlets, identify water scarcity as their

number one problem. While most of the tribals are marginal farmers and

need to migrate for work, the fact remains that entire hamlets sight water

shortage as one of the important reasons for migrating en masse for three

to four months during summer. These water refugees are amongst the most

vulnerable of the migrant work force as they move in large groups with

children and the aged and are forced into extremely exploitative working




conditions, often returning without their earned wages, as unscrupulous

contractors prey on them.

The situation of those who stay back is as precarious. In some

villages, women recount instances when for nearly two months, they spend

half of every night, patiently collecting water from a small hole in the river

bed through which water seeps in a trickle, or keeping vigil throughout the

night around the village well waiting for water to collect, so that they can

draw some for drinking. They travel miles to wash clothes and bathe and

often encounter hostility from those living around the water source as they

fear the rapid depletion of their own water.

In 2006-2007 when the Kashtakari Sanghatana, a mass organization

conducted a campaign for pensions for the aged in Mokhada, they

discovered a significant number of aged were dying during summer as their

families had migrated for work and forced to fend for themselves, survival

was always in jeopardy. Upon inquiring about the cause of death it became

amply clear that most of the deaths occurred because they simply could not

take the strain of meeting their survival needs, of which lack of water was

high up in the reasons for their deaths. However, this reason was hard to

prove, as the victim could not tell the story and the tragic deaths were

conveniently passed off as natural deaths, given the advanced age of the

deceased.

The ultimate irony is that Mokhada taluka is amongst the high

rainfall pockets in the country. The Block is criss-crossed by four rivers

the Vaitarna, the Surya, the Wagh and the Pinjal, all of which are major

sources of drinking water to the large urban-industrial conglomerations of

Vapi down to Vasai. This clearly indicates that water scarcity in

Mokhada is largely man made situation of stealing the water from the




‘backward’ and making it available to the relatively ‘advanced’

communities. The situation also forced the campaign to recognize that the

diversion of water was co-terminus with the continuing ‘backwardness’ of

the people of Mokhada and that ‘backwardness’ was a pre-condition,

concomitant and consequence of the denial of access to water. The

extended discussions and debates also led to the Campaign to recognize the

‘feminization of the denial of access to water’. The recognition of this aspect

of the denial of access to water led us to understand that the possibility of

reversing the trend was grounded in the campaign for the emancipation

and the empowerment of the mothers and daughters of Mokhada. Hence

the interventions of Campaign in the first phase focused on drawing the

various democratic governance institutions right from the village to the

state into the frame of mechanisms of water delivery with a considerable

measure of success. The interventions of the final phase are focused on the

empowerment of the women to take control of and ensure equity in the

access and delivery of water.

The Thrust of the Change Effort: Launching the Campaign

"The unfolding scenario for water use in Mokhada is one of

increasing concern about access, equity and the response to growing needs.

This would require a re-ordering of relations:

between rural and urban populations

between upstream and downstream interests

between agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors

between human needs and the requirements of a healthy

environment"

( Taken from WCD Report, Executive Summary, p. xx ix )




The Campaign begun with grappling with the inaccessibility and

inequity between rural and urban populations. Independently, the

students of IIT had independently conducted a feasibility study of accessing

drinking water from the upper Vaitarna dam which was impounded for the

city of Mumbai. The Campaign for the equitous right to water decided to

take this study to the people. The campaign organized meetings and shared

the findings with the people. Since the study covered only 15

hamlets/villages, the residents of a large number of hamlets in the

neighbourhood were agitated as they felt that they were left out. Activists

therefore decided to request IIT to make a revised proposal for the entire

block as the question was not just of availability but also the quality of

drinking water.

Thus our struggle began with a demand for the release of

approximately 2% of water from the upper Vaitarna to be diverted to

Mokhada by gravity, to satisfy the drinking water needs of the block. The

Campaign mobilized the elected representatives in the villages and at the

block, conducted workshops to explain the IIT study, lobbied in the

corridors of power at the district and state level, so that a scheme could be

put in place which activists so naively believed would solve the water

problems of Mokhada if not forever at least for a very long time.

Involving External Experts: Bringing in IIT, Bombay

Once the revised proposal was formulated IIT took the responsibility

of interfacing with the government at the state level and submitted the

proposal to the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP). Once again the

Campaign activists began spreading the word that the proposal had been

submitted but since there was no activity in the villages from MJP, some

volunteers decided to visit the office of the MJP in Thane, (the old district




headquarters) and follow up on the proposal. After several visits and

detailed discussions with the executive engineer in charge of Mokhada

block, the Campaign activists was informed that there were a number of

lacunae in the proposal.

For example, one of the requirements for the submission of the

proposal was to get the gram sabha resolutions of all 28 group gram

Panchayats. However this exercise was not properly carried out and the

proposal was submitted with a list of 28 names some of which are revenue

villages and some are hamlets, instead of 28 group gram Panchayats. The

proposal in the present form would exclude a large part of the block. The

Campaign activists also found out the various criteria used by the MJP for

inclusion of villages in a water supply schemes and were shocked to

discover that according to the MJP norms, all the villages that were

provided with water supply schemes, whether working or defunct, would

have to be included. Last but not the least the Campaign activists were told

that any effort to get such a scheme off the ground would require

tremendous political clout as the Campaign activists were demanding a

share of the water reserved as Mumbai’s share and Mumbai is already

facing water cuts which would be further exacerbated if the rural areas

raised their rightful demand.

The Campaign activists realised that what they thought was the end

of the road was just the beginning. The activists decided to collect

information using the Right to Information on water supply schemes in the

block, the status of dams, planning and implementation of water supply by

tankers in summer etc. In reality the nature of the information received is

fragmented and incomplete and requires to be accessed from different

departments, but despite the shortcomings, this information has become a




potent point for discussions in various forums. More importantly the

Campaign activists kept adding to the information each time they discussed

the water issue with citizens of Mokhada and were often required to go

back to the government agency and rectify the information.

The activists also decided to share their experience at the MJP offices

with the powers that be in Mokhada along with the common people. The

activists individually met the leaders (Taluka Pramukh) and some active

party workers of every political party with a presence in the taluka. The

activists also met all the elected representatives beginning with the

Member of Parliament, members of the Panchayat Samiti and Sarpanches

and village Panchayat representatives of several villages and tried to

develop a broad consensus on the issue. The one point agenda was that the

citizens of Mokhada should articulate their demand for water from the

Upper Vaitarna setting aside the political considerations of their respective

parties. Initially, the party leaders were reluctant to accept the proposal to

come under one banner of The Mokhada Pani Hakk Sangharsh Samiti,

but as influence of the Campaign grew among the masses they realised that

the Campaign could make or break their political futures and one by one all

except one pledged their support.

The activists also conducted a series of training workshops and “in

house” training meetings for elected representatives of the Panchayat

Samiti (Block Panchayat), training workshops Gram Sevaks, workshops for

Anganvadi workers and Asha workers, for elected Panchayat

representatives in the villages, women members of SHGs and other civil

society actors and students.




Objectives of Training

The broad objectives of the trainings activists are as follows:

To create a broad consensus around the popular demand for

secure water.

To build a perspective of equity and justice in the access and

distribution of water.

To develop an understanding of sustainable development in the

context of climate change.

To understand the strategies of coping with climate change i.e.

adapting to climate change v/s mitigating the effects of climate

change.

To initiate action wherever possible to protect, conserve and

replenish water resources in the micro watershed. (a hamlet or

part of a hamlet).

To facilitate the Gram Sabha resolutions to be submitted to the

MJP.

While the overall objectives were common to all the trainings, there

were additional objectives specific to each group. The training

methodology too was adapted to the group, however, as a rule the

methodology has been interactive.

So far the Campaign has conducted the following trainings for local

agents:

1. Training of Panchayat Samiti (Block Panchayat) members

2. Training of Village Volunteers.

3. Training of Village Women leaders




4. Training of Mokhada Bazaar (Market) Women’s group

5. Training of Students of Khodala College

6. Training of Students of Dolara Junior College

7. Training of Students of Palsunde Junior College

8. Training of Rugna Kalyan Samiti (Patients Activistslfare

Committee) members

9. Training of Ashas and Anganwadi workers of Asa Public Health

Center

10. Training of Ashas & Anganwadi workers of Vashale Public

Health Center

Training of Panchayat Samiti members: (Two sessions)

The Campaign requested the chairperson of the Panchayat Samiti to

give the activists a slot during the monthly meetings of the Panchayat

Samiti. These trainings are a continuous process.

1. The first time our slot extended to half a day. The stated objective

was to prepare for the gram sabha resolutions to be submitted to the MJP.

Much of the time was spent on seeking clarifications about the demand, its

implications, the effect on other proposals of water schemes in the pipeline

with different government agencies, etc.

2. The next step was to get the Panchayat Samiti to own up to the

demand for the Upper Vaitarna water. It was decided that all

correspondence would be initiated by the Panchayat Samiti and the elected

representatives would also be responsible for the follow up. The Barefoot

Coordinators would actively assist in the process.

The different members of the Panchayat Samiti took responsibility of

having the resolutions passed in their constituencies.




After the nitty-gritties of the Campaign, the concluding part of the

session was on the planned content viz. the reasons for water scarcity,

climate change, mitigating the effects of climate change, planning for water

in Mokhada Bazaar, saving and recycling water, etc. When the activists

began this session the members resisted thinking that it will be a waste of

time but at the end of the session they were very appreciative and

expressed a desire to get such inputs on a regular basis.

Breakthrough: Meeting of Dy. Chairperson with Mokhada GPs

The effect of the campaign on decision makers and the

administration became obvious when an extraordinary meeting was called

by the Dy. Chairperson of the Panchayat Samiti with members of the

Mokhada Gram Panchayats and some other concerned residents regarding

the contamination of Mogyachi Vihir, a large well which is one of the main

sources of drinking water in Mokhada bazaar area, a very densely

populated area and prone to epidemics. The reason for the contamination

of the well is the seepage of sewage water. The well has been temporarily

cleaned and the Cottage Hospital is managing the disinfection of the water.

However, everyone is aware that this is not the solution.

When the Panchayat Samiti Dy. Chairperson approached the

Campaign activists for help, they explained how drainage can be planned in

the town. The activists also explained at length about waste management,

organic and inorganic waste, management of medical waste and the like.

The activists learnt that as part of the Swach Bharat Abhiyan, adivasis had

come from the villages to clean the bazaar, particularly the surroundings of

the Cottage hospital, but medical waste was just collected and dumped on

the outskirts of the town. Unfortunately, due to lack of understanding on




the management of waste, the mass actions of the Swach Bharat Abhiyan

are creating more problems by creating large dumps of mixed waste in

backyard of other families and very often on forest lands.

A further workshop has been planned on drainage and waste

management. Activists have promised to arrange for an expert to guide and

possibly assist in the implementation of the project.

Training of Village Volunteers

At the village level the Campaign activists have decided to focus on

working with women so that they remain at the centre of the process of

planning and monitoring water and sanitation schemes in their hamlets.

There are three tiers of volunteers. First tier is volunteers willing to take

the responsibility of motivating and mobilizing about 10 to 20 hamlets

around their own village. These are number eight at present. The second

tier is four to five leaders at the hamlet level in each hamlet volunteering to

share responsibilities in the campaign. The third tier includes all women in

the hamlet committed to take the water campaign forward in terms of

developing protocols of use, reduction and recycling of grey water,

mobilizing mindset change of the women of the village on caring for a

scarce resource.

Two training workshops of three days each were conducted for

the first tier of volunteers. Their training will be a continuous exercise, both

in terms of inviting and introducing new volunteers to the campaign and

intensifying capabilities of the present volunteers. The objective is to

develop perspectives, understand social oppression and economic

exploitation as the dominant realities that determine access to resources,

impart knowledge on the water issue and also develop skills of working in




the field. Since most of these volunteers are young women from backward

areas, they have a low self image and lack confidence hence the activists

also conduct exercises in personality development. The workshops are

supplemented with one day monthly workshops in which the volunteers

learn skills like drafting applications, using Right to Information, practical

skills of negotiating with block level officials and functionaries etc. No

workshops have been conducted for the second tier, although a series of

workshops are planned between January and May. The content will be

similar to the content of the three day workshop.

Six trainings have been conducted in Chaas, Dhamni, Ikhricha pada,

Shendyachi Met, Sirisgaon, Dhondmaryachimet and Sirsonicha pada and

Mokhada town. These have been interactive sessions with the women of

the hamlet, assessing the water situation, introducing our demand for

water from the Upper Vaitarna dam, exploring possibilities of remedial

measures to mitigate the water crisis and selection by consensus of hamlet

leaders. In Chaas an NGO has constructed a water supply scheme under

CSR which will become functional in summer, our effort is to mobilize

women to monitor the scheme.

In Dhamni, the women were very despondent and said they just

migrate during summer as they are totally dependent on water supply by

tankers which is most unreliable. In fact, they said soon after our workshop

they would be migrating only to return in the monsoon. Dhamni is

supposed to have a piped water supply scheme and there was a huge tank

lying in the village in a state of disrepair. There are no pipes.

Shendyachi Met is a village predominantly inhabited by Katkaris, a

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and tanker affected. Water

supply through tankers is very irregular and women spend most of the




night keeping vigil over the wells for water to trickle in so that they can

collect it. They identified three problems that could be remedied. First

widening and deepening of the existing wells and second repair of the dam

in the stream flowing along the hamlet as all the water seeps trough by

February. Third is construction of paths leading to the wells as the wells

are situated down-hill across the stream. Hence the women have to wade

through the stream with three pots of water. Both the paths leading to the

well from two different sides of the hamlet are stony and difficult to walk

on. Women have had accidents particularly while carrying water in the

dark in the wee hour of the morning. A couple have been seriously injured,

with fractures and stitches. The women have submitted an application to

the Tehsildar, Revenue Head of a Block or Tehsil, to undertake these works

on a war footing. The Tehsildar has assured them that he would widen and

deepen at least one well and construct the path to the wells. As for the dam

he said would require a project proposal which will take time. The women

have also applied for work under MNREGA and have negotiated to work on

the paths to the well themselves.

Ikhricha pada has a perennial source of water and a village pond that

lasts throughout the year. Infact, several village around Ikhricha pada

access water from their well. The women reported that they fetch water

late at night in summer as the well is crowded throughout the day.

In Dhondmaryachimet and Sirsonichapada, also predominantly

inhabited by the katkari community, a joint workshop of two hamlets was

conducted. The katkari women were mobilized by the women of

Shendyachimet. They too have a serious water problem in summer and the

village has a tradition of migrating annually. Sirisgaon has a serious water

problem and the workshop is scheduled.




In Mokhada town the Campaign conducted a workshop of about 50-

60 women who have started meeting regularly. However they are from a

small part in the centre of town and the challenge is to expand the group to

the other hamlets of Mokhada. The issues have been of an extremely

practical nature, repair of the water tank supplying water to the town, the

political intrigues and corruption by contractors, day to day problems

concerning sourcing water, the expenses involved, the poor quality of

water, drainage problems. The women also collectively decided to make

joint applications to the gram sabha regarding water and decided to

monitor the work. A workshop is scheduled for mid- December as the issue

of contamination of the drinking water well through untreated sewage

poses a major health risk.

Training Students

There are a total of nine Junior colleges in Mokhada and two senior

colleges viz. Mokhada and Khodala. The Junior Colleges are in Adoshi,

Palsunda, Dolara, Karegoan, Suryamal, Hirve and Gonda. Originally the

Campaign planned to work with colleges was with a view to involve NSS

students in mobilizing at the village level and collecting data. So far

campaign activists have contacted Mokhada and Khodala Senior and Junior

Colleges and Palsunda, Dolara and Adoshi Junior colleges.

Campaign activists have conducted one joint workshop for Khodala

College, one in Dolara Jr. College and one in Palsunda Jr. College. The

workshops for Mokhada College and Adoshi Jr. College are scheduled. They

have also conducted a workshop in the Adivasi Girls Hostel and the Adivasi

Boys Hostel in Mokhada, and hope to conduct at least one workshop in all

the colleges in the next six months.




Design of Student Work shop

Objectives

1. To form student groups to become mobilizers at the community level.

2. To raise their consciousness on the water issue

3. Collect data at the hamlet level

4. Involve village youth through the students in the campaign

Content

1. Start with their perception of the water problem in Mokhada.

2. Recognize Climate Change as the unintended effect of the way the

world has developed.

3. Coping with climate change. The easy option of climate change

adaptation.

4. Undertaking strategies that tend to modify the environment in

complicated ways creating new problems.

5. Accepting the challenge of climate change mitigation which attempts

sustainable, equitable development.

6. Introduction to the water policy. Prioritization of water…water for life

and water for livelihood and other needs.

7. What are the kinds of solutions possible. Combination of big and small,

of centralized and local to provide water for life and livelihood.

8. Discussion on the demand of Upper Vaitarna water for Mokhada.

9. Combination of local initiatives to conserve and store water.

10. Developing an understanding that draws the younger generation out

of a feeling of hopelessness to hope. Exploring various possibilities that

create a faith that the water problem in Mokhada can be solved and




that THEY can actually be important players in the solution to the

water problem.

Training for Ashas and Anganwadi Functionaries

These have been short motivational workshops dovetailed into their

monthly meetings. Since the anganwadi is the secretary of the Village

Nutrition, Health, Water and Sanitation Committee activists felt it was

important to share with them about the work activists are doing and also

enlist their support at the village level. So far two workshops were

conducted one in Asa PHC and another in Vashale PHC. The training for the

Moronda PHC and Khodala PHC are scheduled. Some of the Ashas and

Anganwadis have taken an active part in organizing village meetings,

however they are apprehensive about participating in any activity even

remotely confronting the government as they feel it will adversely affect

their job.

Training of the Rugna Kalyan Samiti Members

This was the only unplanned activity though in terms of impact it has

been a great success. When we were moving in the villages, conducting

meetings and workshops the issues of lack of water in the Primary Health

Centre and Cottage hospital repeatedly emerged in the discussions. With

the governments emphasis on institutional deliveries and the cash

incentives accompanying them, pregnant women are under tremendous

pressure to deliver in the government hospital but they reported that they

have to live under extremely unhygienic conditions as after delivery they

are merely wiped with their own petticoats and kept for three day s

without a bath. One woman from Dapti who delivered a low birth weight




baby was shunted between three government hospitals for 21 days during

which period she did not have the opportunity for a single bath.

We therefore went to the Cottage to check out for ourselves.

Interestingly, even the doctor reported that sometimes he does not even

have water to wash his hands. The Cottage hospital has a pipeline from

Mogyachi Vihir, but the doctor reported that the towns’ people did not

allow them to start the motor in summer as the water in the well had

already reduced considerably. Therefore the hospital had to depend on

tankers.

While we were in the process of gathering this information a Rugna

Kalyan Samiti was scheduled. The Dy. Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti

who is the chair person of the committee and one other civil society

member asked us to attend the meeting and assist them in understanding

the records and securing the information. The one point agenda of the

meeting was utilization of the funds which the administration wanted to

use to pay pending water bills. The amount of pending bills was staggering

and amounted to over a lakh of rupees. We asked for a break up of each bill

which was hurriedly read out. Then the BDO almost bulldozed the

members to sign their acceptance to their proposal for using the money.

The BDO got his way. The Committee members were extremely angry. So

we have been strategizing with them how they can monitor the funds

better. Activists also went scouting for an alternative source of water for

the hospital which we have found. The next step is to have a proposal put in

place. This has also led to taking on board issues of waste management,

particularly med waste, sewage drainage etc.




Training and Education of Full Time Workers

The full time volunteer activists have monthly study group where

activists read together or invite an expert.




Ann. 1 – B:

Training and Change in tribal context: The Muniguda Experience

Process of Intervention of BA team in the Community:

Before entry to the community we collected some secondary

information on Muniguda Block, like, geographical area of Block, Village

wise Population, Total No. of Village & Gram Panchayat, different tribes

etc. Then based on secondary information we have selected only 46

villages (only ST communities) out of 412 villages. Those 46 villages are

from 10 grama panchayats and situated in three directions of Muniguda

Block. In preliminary stage we have conducted rounds of community

meeting in 46 villages. In first month we have identified the existing CBOs

at community level. Like Youth Sangha, SHGs, Pani Panchayat, Vana

Samrakshyana Samitti (VSS), Gaon Kalyan Samitee (GKS) and “KUTUMBA”.

We collected Primary data on different institutions. The concept of

different instititutions comes to the community after 1992 other than

“Kutumba”, but “Kutumba” is a traditional institution of the community.

The other institutions having a limited nos. of members from the

community, but all the persons from the community are the members of

the “Kutumba” and the “Kutumba” having some traditional role holders,

like jani, disari, Naik etc. We met the traditional role holders again and

again; discussed with them about their community and day to day life of

the members from the community. They briefly discussed with us about

their community and “Kutumba”, role of the “Kutumba” for the

community, like the people told that they always respect the village

common interest because they belong to same caste (ST community). All




the persons had given respect the decision of “Kutumba” in each and every

case. It was happening in all villages. Some persons told that “Kutumba” is

here, but it is not functioned like before 10 to 20 years. We observed the

views of villagers in first “Kutumba” meeting with the community as a

silent observer in every village. We found in every community that the

process of function of “Kutumba” before 30 years was better than the

present situation. So we proposed the community to revive the function of

their “Kutumba” like before. But, some young mass given their views that

it will not happened, because they have not seen the management of

“Kutumba” earlier. Some of the old persons told that “Kutumba” was their

village court, but now nobody can agree to obey the decision. After three

to four rounds of community meetings, the young mass realized that all

the outsiders other than members of “Kutumba”, joined their (Govt. or

Non-Govt.) hands, to attain their personnel benefit first. Some youth also

mobilized by the outer agency for getting some money. As a result of that

gradually the “Kutumba” has lost its identity.

Training Needs: Identifying the key problems through Kurumba

meetings

In all 46 villages, we had arranged the community meetings before

conducting the “Kutumba” meeting. In that community meeting we had

tried to sit all together, like mothers, old age persons, youths and children

also. But every village we found that from the very beginning of the

meeting the villagers raised their personnel and common issues. We

listened as silent observers and listed out those issues. Some old person

told that at the time of their youth period they did not depend on anybody

to do our work. “We thought that all the problems in our community are




our problem. It may be personal or common problem. When outsiders

entered into our village the villagers gradually practiced the begging

occupation through different schemes of govt. or non-govt”, they said. As a

result of that they were not getting the quality of different developmental

work, like construction of road, construction of house under Indira Awas

Yojana (IAY), construction of toilet under TSC etc.

Finally the villagers agreed to conduct the “Kutumba” meeting every

month and a fixed date also decided by the community. Different date was

fixed for meeting in different community. According to the date decided by

the “Kutumba”, we attended the entire first round “Kutumba” meeting in

every village. We found the members of “Kutumba” raised the no. of issues

in those meetings. The issues were very common for all the communities,

like

1) Water issues for drinking purposes (renovation of Tube Wells) in

every villages.

2) Water scarcity for drinking purposes in 10% of our programme

villages.

3) Renovation of defunct lift irrigation point for agriculture in 3

villages.

4) Regularize the services of AWC, improve the preschool education

of 3-6 yrs Children and reduce malnutrition. To achieve these

points they thought about the construction of an AWC building.

5) Construction of Road.

6) Teachers post is vacant in School.

7) Construction of House for “Dharani Penu”.

8) Service providers of health and nutrition at community level

appointed by govt. have not been doing their duty properly; ANM




& AWW are not staying at the village. So that the beneficiaries are

not getting proper services in time for maternal & child health, it

increases infant and neo natal death.

9) Due to water scarcity the farmers not got the crops as per their

expectation.

10) Due to natural calamities (like cyclone, in time lack of rain fall),

the farmer did not cultivate the land and the young mass migrated

to other state for non agricultural labour.

11) Applied for land under FRA, but not getting the patta.

12) Some villagers have applied for “gara diha” patta, but not got.

13) We are having job card, but no work.

14) Old age persons, those are needy they cannot get the OAP, IAY,

Mo Kudia Yojana etc.

After repeated questions from our side regarding health, sanitation and

hygiene some persons raised the issues given below,

1) Defecation problems for adolescent girls and women particularly.

2) Sanitation problem in every village.

3) Problem in maternal & child health, like worm infection and under

nutrition of 0-5 years children and anemic of adolescent girls,

Pregnant and lactating mother.

4) Suffering from malaria frequently.

Critical Interrogation: Evolving unique Pedagogy for a Tribal Context

We realised that we had to adapt our training methodology to

address a largely non-literate society with a high proportion of people who

were essentially oral – knowledge based. So using normal training tools

like written mate had to be adapted for the Muniguda context, and a




unique pedagogy of learning evolved. This essentially had to include a

discussion process involving the participants in a critical examination of

their own contexts.

The lack of exposure to the outside world was also a major fator to be

considered in the training methodology. Hence training sessions for

different groups had to involve themes which could be stated in a simple,

yet comprehensive, manner so that any participant irrespective of age,

gender and experience could follow the discussions.

This would typically involve discussion on the problems they had

identified as critical to the community and following up by continually

asking questions like what are you thinking about to solve those

problems? , Whose problem is this? What do you think as to who is

supposed to solve those problems? The villagers told that in every village

that those problems are our problem, but govt. will take action to solve

those problems. At that time some old age person told that no those

problems are our problem. We were solving the entire problem of our

community or personnel through our “Kutumba” before 30-40 years. Not a

single day we had not gone near govt. or anybody to solve our problems.

Then some youths told that now also the “Kutumba” system exists in their

villages. “The same persons (decision makers, like Naik, Jani etc in

“Kutumba” through the assistance of villagers) are available in our village.

Why we depend on others for development of our community?”, they

asked.

Then a bunch of questions were asked to the people from our side,

who will take the responsibility? Who developed the plan for community

development? How the plan will be implemented? They answered that our

“Kutumba” will take the active role for our community development.




Selection and Training of VLCAs

At the same time we proposed them the concept and role

responsibility of VLCA. Then the people decided to select two active

youngsters those will be taking responsiblity for solving the issues of their

community. They were also agreed to work for their community without

any remuneration with respect to their “Kutumba”. Apart from that some

youth have voluntarily joined with the VLCAs to support them wherever

necessary.138 VLCAs were selected from all 46 villages. Then one day

training programme was conducted for all the VLCAs and one action was

developed for their work for the community. According to that we have

developed some format for PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal). At the

same time one day capacity building training programme was conducted

for all VLCAs to enable them to identify the core issues of their village. Like

Roles and responsibilities of VLCAs for the community.

What is leadership?

Development with dignity

Health, Nutrition & Hygiene

Agriculture

Food Security

Water and Sanitation.

Community Mobilization

Conflict Resolution

Plan of Action




VLCAs collected the base line data of their villages and our team also

assisted them for that. At the same time we have collected some

information through focus group discussions (FGD) focused on the

problems on Agriculture, Food, Water, Health, Sanitation & hygiene.

In Ann. 2 – B we expand on the outcomes of the different training

interventions and change programmes initiated in Muniguda.




Deliverable 2: Annexures 2 A – C

Outcomes on Baseline Activities

Ann 2 A – Mokhada Ann 2 B – Muniguda

Ann 2 C - Veppur

Annexure 2 A

Outcomes in Mokhada – Impact on Drinking Water Issues

Mokhada, as we had reported earlier, is a rain rich Block with a

severe water shortage, largely man-made. Hence water supply had to be

the key issue that the change programme addressed in Mokhada as part of

BA’s strategy.

The two predominant strategies of the government to address water

scarcity in Mokhada have been to construct piped water supply schemes or

supply water through tankers.

Piped water

According to data collected from the BDO, up to the year 2002, a total

of 30 piped water supply schemes were constructed in the taluka of which

only six are functional today. The reason for non functioning of the

balance 24 schemes is common, “MSEB bill not paid, major repairs

required”. Interestingly schemes constructed in 1981 and 1991 are still

functional in Khodala and Mokhada while all the others have gone defunct

within one year of construction. No data is available after 2002.




Tankers

According to data collected from the BDO in the year 2013, seventy

five, hamlets demanded water tankers and they were provided water

through private contractors between 25/2/2013 and 6/6/2013.

In the year 2014, seventy three hamlets demanded water tankers and

they were provided water through private contractors from 24/4/2014.

In the year 2015, 80 hamlets demanded water tankers, but according

to the data provided only 45 hamlets appear to have got the tanker water.

The period was between 16/3/2015 and 23/6/2015.

The source of water for all the tankers for all three years has been the

same viz. Gandhipul, Sakhri, Valuchi Vihir and Palaspada dam. Gram

Panchayats in which these water sources are located are also supplied

water through tankers. It is important to note that none of the water

sources are private and hence no cost is incurred for water, yet the

contractors charge the government per liter of water.

The total cost on tanker based water supply in just three years is

more than the planned budget for permanent solutions for water supply in

the same period. In the year 2013, Rs. 43, 25, 680, was paid to private

contractors for water tankers and Rs. 67, 47, 880 was paid in the year

2014. The exact figure for 2015 is not known but it is in the range of Rs.

80,00,000.

A study of the Tanker Driven Water Supply is necessary to

understand the extent of the diversion of funds for tanker driven water

solutions so as to bring pressure on government to adopt permanent

solutions as the payments made to the water tanker owners consumes a

major part of the development budget of the block.




Expected outcomes of the study

1. To locate the problems with the existing system of water management

and suggest a more effective way of monitoring and managing water.

2. To suggest more permanent and sustainable solutions for solving the

water problem.

3. To explore ways and means of mobilizing local labour through

MNEREGA to create conditions for conserving water and regenerating

natural water sources.

4. Status study on how Mokhada block administration copes with water

scarcity and the provision of tankers.

A booklet, covering water challenges and the ways through which they

are being addressed and the costs actually borne by the tribal people, will

be prepared by volunteers to place facts before the tribal communities and

draw their attention to the fact that they development funds are being

drained to fund the financial advancement of a small group of water

contractors.

Additionally, the booklet will focus on the approach to the sustainable

and efficient use of water and the integration of the large and the small, the

modern and the traditional in the context of ensuring rural livelihoods and

needs.

The viewpoint or the approach we put forward in this booklet is

rooted in a rapidly accumulating body of social experiences and draws on

relevant scientific and technological developments. Over the last ten or

fifteen years, various social struggles and people's movements on water

challenges and development projects have directly or indirectly addressed

the issue of sustainable and equitable water use. This has been also




matched by an evolving body of scientific knowledge and technological

developments which make possible an alternative approach to the

questions haunting the water sector today.

One of the important components of the alternative is the belief that

we cannot leave out large sources if small systems are to provide a service

with a high degree of reliability, especially in the drought prone regions. It

therefore does not see the conflict as one of large versus small, but as a

question of what is the relationship between them.

Water used for domestic purposes and for animals

Water is of course an essential human need, for that matter, an

essential need for all living things. We need water for drinking and for

cooking, for washing and cleaning, for sanitation and for our animals.

Water used for these purposes is not `productive expenditure' though it

needs to be classified as `useful and essential expenditure'.

We need to keep a separate account of water used for these purposes.

This is a first priority need as well as a higher quality need and so, besides

working out its magnitude as a component of the annual water balance, we

also need to keep separate track of it over time, and depending on the

situation, over different hamlets/habitats/settlements. In some areas, a

simple division into monsoon, winter and summer seasons may be enough.

In areas where there are further periods of acute scarcity or great variation

in source and availability within these seasons may require a different kind

of more detailed division. More specifically it should have the following

information:

a) hamlet/habitat grouping

b) number of persons served




c) appropriate season-wise information

i. source type and identification

ii. water quality

iii. amount of water drawn

iv. water use; In case water is used for animals, number of

animals (bovine units) served.

Many government schemes tend to treat drinking and sanitation

water needs in isolation, and we need to be clear about this issue. There

should be no doubt that drinking and sanitation water needs require

special attention, but they should be seen as part of the overall problem of

improving water resource availability in an area. With such an approach, a)

there is a more stable solution and b) because major source development is

taken care of by the overall plan, only the additional costs are incurred.

However, as we delved deeper into the issue, we are now convinced

that sustainable and equitable distribution of water goes far beyond supply

and demand. During the past months we have interacted intensively with

local people especially women, local politicians, contractors and

government officials and functionaries, as well as experts who have worked

on water issues over three to four decades. Our understanding is still

evolving, but we hope we are moving in the right direction.




Ann. 2 B: Muniguda

Analysis on Agriculture:

Agriculture is the back bone of Indian Economy. 80% HH depend on

agriculture for their food along with uncultivated food also. In Muniguda

block People have practiced shifting/burnt cultivation. In some villages,

they had small patches of plane land. Before 30 years they cultivated paddy

in those small patches. At that time they never used chemicals in any type

of cultivation. 15 varities of paddy were cultivated at that time. Those were

Ratanchudi, Baihanda, Bandalanchhi, Dhubalanchhi, Asanchudi, 140,

Indrabhogi, Kusthapani, Jagannath, Nadiakarka, Kahnei, Haldichudi,

Sikidisama, Kahneichhapa, Ranga lanchhi etc. Those type of paddy

cultivation required more water and 120 days (month of July to Nov) for

harvesting. 70% land of Muniguda is non irrigated land. Due to severe

deforestation now rain fall is very less and irregular also.




The trend shows that rainfall is slightly increased in this year, but

it varies year to year. So the farmers have no faith on rainfall. In gudia

chasa, they cultivated raggi, black gram, horse gram, Kandul, Alsi, rasi,

jhudunga, maize, mustard etc; these requird less water and also cultivated

by using of organic manure. This practice is continued till now. The

cropping time is from month of Sept to Jan. Along with above cultivation

every family done some vegetable cultivation for their own consumption,

like brinjal, tomato, chilly, radish, okra, beans etc. Before 30 years they did

not use chemicals for any type of crops. After collected the information we

had again sit with the villagers and discussed their present cultivation

pattern. Some youngsters told that now the people gradually accepted the

modernization. 30% to 40% youth from every village have gone to town




area (out side the village), students are going to other villages and staying

at residential schools, so they grow paddy more than raggi. So the farmers

also want to cultivate paddy in their lands. Govt. also mobilizes them for

high yield paddy in sixty to seventy five days, like Subhagi, lalata, Nabina,

konark, kansiri, Puja, Arjil, Jajati, Jitipitti, Panjab, Swarna Masuri, and Diesel

etc. Now in all paddy cultivation the farmers are using chemicals for high

yield. Govt. mobilized for this type of cultivation and supplies the seeds in

subsidy price.

Before 20years the farmers had cultivated more quantity of gurji, jari,

suan etc in their gudia land (dry land). Those required less water. They

used those crops at the time of food scarcity. Those were used as a

substitute of rice.

Planned Activity:

So it is focused/planned to promote the traditional agriculture, like

pulses, millets etc those needs less water along with modern cultivation;

Planned for organic farming.

Bio Diversity and Food Security:

The household level food insecurity is one of the major reasons for

existing under nutrition among the family members as well as of the

children in the PVTG areas.The families find it hard to meet their basic food

requirement.

More than 50% HHs are landless, they have no own agricultural land

in Muniguda Block. So the people depend on daily labour work. It may

agricultural or non agricultural labour. 30% HHs having > 1 acre of land. So




they are not getting food 3 to 4 months every year. So they depend on the

uncultivated food (UCF) at that time or done the labour work or migrated

to other state for non agricultural work. Now 20% youths are migrated to

Kerala, Tamilnadu, Maharastra and other states for more income. Some

persons borrowed money from sahukar, money lenders with more interest

to meet their emergency need. After entry of Sahukar and govt. in the

villages their self respect practice and unity of community also decreased.

After that we have collected data on availability of uncultivated food in the

local areas.

Uncultivated Forest Food:

The project area is rain fed without any assured irrigation facility to

grow one more crop beyond January. So, people grow their food in their

farms, backyards and collect food from forest, water bodies and village

commons. We had organised community meeting especially with women to

interact with them on the foods collected by them in different seasons.

They collect fruits, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, insects and roots & tubers,

fish & crabs, birds and oil and seeds etc. Their compiled information is put

below




Rainy (July ~ October) Winter (November ~

February)

Summer ( March ~

June)

12 varieties of Fruits,

Nuts, and Vegetables,

16 varieties of Fish

&Crabs,

29 varieties of

Mushrooms,

24 varieties of Green

leaves,

17 varieties of Birds,

14 varieties of Wild

animals and Insects,

Honey from 5 sources,

2 varieties of Roots &

Tubers

1 variety of Oilseeds.

17 varieties of Fruits, Nuts,

and Vegetables,


leaves,

21 varieties of Roots

&Tubers,

3 varieties of Fish &Crabs

Honey from 3 sources,



17 varieties of Birds and

1 variety of Oilseeds.

43 varieties of Fruits,

Nuts and Vegetables,


leaves,

2 varieties of Roots

&Tubers,



Honey from 7 sources ,

9 varieties of Oilseeds,

6 varieties of Fish and

6 varieties of Birds.

The mothers have shared a trend of decline of food available in their

forests, in terms of quantity, and diversity. One of the reasons is shrinking

forest diversity due to plantation of eucalyptus, teak, cashew, and

pongomia etc.The next stage of discussion with villagers will concentrate

on strategies to address this issue.

These foods, which do not require a household to incur costs, borrow

money, seek the permission of others before accessing, and lend

communities as well as individual households a sense of self-dependence,

and therefore, dignity and pride, which are quite dear to Adivasi




communities. There is an enormous wealth of biological knowledge

associated with these foods with women whether it is about where a

particular species grows, seasonality, characteristics, identification and

appearance, or its nutritive and medicinal properties, properties related to

processing or storing, cooking methods and quality, veterinary and

livestock uses etc., are all valuable knowledge that community members

possess. The wild edible leaves are excellent sources of vitamins A and C,

protein and micronutrients such as calcium and iron.

Collected report on uncultivated food (UCF) from all 46 villages.

Those are mostly used by them at the time of food scarcity. The people are

also understood the medicinal and nutrition values of UCF. They are

collecting varieties of Saga, Kanda, animals (like Musa, thekua, sapa, Kutra

etc.) and birds, types of Chhatu (mushrooms) etc as UCF in various seasons.

A detailed report on UCF collection in their local language of three villages

is given below as an example:

Name of the Village: Karadabandha, GP: Patraguda, Muniguda.

Sl

No. Name of the Item

Season wise Collection of UCF

Summer Rainy Winter

1

Saga(Green

Leaves) Barada Gandhri Gandhri

2 Gandhri Simili Amli

3 Kanta bhaji Banapoi Gurli

4 Kena Kanta bhaji Kena

5 -- Amli Turuda

6 -- Karli Balasari

7 -- Sunsunia Jahni

8 -- -- Jaba

9 -- -- Muninga

10 Pakshi(Birds) Kau -- Para

11 Badudi -- Kau

12 Bati -- Kajalapati




13 Katha hana -- Katha hana

14 Para -- Gundri

15 Bana Kukuda -- Badudi

16 Kurmi -- Kira

17 -- -- Bati

18 -- -- Dengi

19 Kanda Bhata Kanda -- Pita kanda

20 Tala Kanda -- Katha kanda

21 Cheranga -- Bhata Kanda

22 Pittala -- Cheranga

23 Pita kanda -- Mundi Kanda

24 Hemi -- Hua Kanda

25 Napa -- Rani Kanda

26 Palaheri kanda -- Saru Kanda

27 -- -- Pittala Kanda

28 -- -- Simili Kanda

29

Animal (Jeeba

Jantu) Kai (Red ant) -- --

30 Kutra -- --

31 Thekua -- --

32 Musa -- --

33 Kuji Musa -- --

34 Marna Musa -- --

35 Chhatu(Mashroom) -- Bati Chhatu --

36 -- Kendu Chhatu --

37 -- Mendha Chhatu --

38 -- Jamba Chhatu --

39 -- Balsira Chhatu --

40 -- Khuda Chhatu --

41 --

Mayuree Dimba

Chhatu --

42 -- Sargee Chhatu --

43 -- Basa Chhatu --




Name of the Village: Cherangpai, G.P: Munikhol, Muniguda.

Sl

No. Name of the Item


Summer Rainy Winter

1

Saga(Green

Leaves) Barada Bhaji Kalam

2 Gandhri Barada Gurudi Saga

3 Muninga saga Chakunda Kanta Saga

4 Kena Jaba Sunsunia

5 Kalam Saga Kalam Barada

6 Jaba Saga Kalara Chakunda

7 Gurudi Saga Mersinga patra Jahni

8 Kanta Saga Sunsunia Jaba

9 -- Hulhulia Saga Muninga

10 -- Turuda saga Turuda saga

11 -- Gandhri Muninga saga

12 -- Muninga saga Hulhulia Saga

13 -- Kena Kalara

14 -- Kanta Saga Mersinga patra

15 Fruits Amba(Mango) -- Amla

16 Bela -- Batei

17 Kendu -- Kunduru

18 Jamukoli -- Narji

19 Charu Koli -- Sindhi koli

20 Dimiri -- Sargi seeds

21 Bahada -- --

22 Pijuli -- --

23 Kantei koli -- --

24 Kasa koli -- --

25 Mahula Fulla -- --

26 Ram phala -- --

27 Kusum koli -- --

28 Chuna koli -- --

10 Pakshi(Birds) Bana kukuda -- Para

11 Kapta -- Kau




12 Mayura -- Kajalapati

13 -- Katha hana

14 -- Gundri

15 -- Badudi

16 -- Kira

17 -- Bati

18 -- -- Dengi

19 Kanda -- -- Pita kanda

20 -- -- Katha kanda

21 -- -- Bhata Kanda

22 -- -- Cheranga

23 -- -- Mundi Kanda

24 -- -- Hua Kanda

25 -- -- Rani Kanda

26 -- -- Saru Kanda



29 -- -- Hata konda

30 -- -- Hemi kanda

31 -- -- Khamba alu

32 -- -- Hua kanda

33 -- -- Palheri kanda

29

Animal(Jeeba

Jantu) Kai (Red ant) -- --

30 Kutra -- --

31 Thekua -- --

32 Musa -- --

33 Kuji Musa -- --

34 Marna Musa -- --

35 Kutra -- --

36 Barha -- --

37 Harina -- --

38 Tenkar Poka -- --










45 --

Mayuree Dimba

Chhatu --



48 Oil Sargi Tela -- --

49 Tola Tela -- --

50 Chakunda tela -- --

51 Mada (liqour) Mahula Mahula --

52 Khajuri Amba Sardha --

53 Salap Khajuri --

54 -- Tala --

Name of the Village: Ankulapadar, GP: Telengapadar Muniguda.

Sl No. Name of the Item


Summer Rainy Winter

1

Saga(Green

Leaves) Barada Gandhri Gandhri

2 Gandhri Simili Amli

3 Kanta bhaji Banapoi Gurli

4 Kena Kanta bhaji Kena

5 -- Amli Turuda

6 -- Karli Balasari

7 -- Sunsunia Jahni

8 -- -- Jaba

9 -- -- Muninga

10 Pakshi(Birds) Gundri -- Gundri

11 Badudi -- Badudi

12 Katha hana -- Katha hana




13 Para -- Para

14

Bana

Kukuda -- Bana Kukuda

15 Kurmi -- Kurmi

19 Kanda Bhata Kanda -- Pita kanda

20 Tala Kanda -- Katha kanda

21 Cheranga -- Bhata Kanda

22 Pittala -- Cheranga

23 Pita kanda -- Mundi Kanda

24 Hemi -- Hua Kanda

25 Napa -- Rani Kanda

26

Palaheri

kanda -- Saru Kanda



29

Animal(Jeeba

Jantu) Gezet Musa -- Gezet Musa

30 Kuji Musa -- Kuji Musa

31 Marna Musa -- Marna Musa







41 --

Mayuree Dimba

Chhatu --



44 Vegetable -- Karadi --

45 -- Kankada --

46 -- Kunduri --




Then it was discussed with the villagers and they planned to

focus on afforestation. To get the more no. of HHs to be covered under

forest land patta under FRA and applied for the CFR patta; mobilized

the community to raise trees (special focused on fruit bearing plant)

in the forest with the convergence with Forest dept.

Water & Sanitation Security:

Main Source of Drinking Water of Muniguda Block:

Using tap water : 14.42%

Using Well (covered & Open) : 28.98%

Using of Bore well : 46.96%

Using of Spring water, River : 9.64%

Source: Statistical Data-2011

Due to using of contaminated water it may increase the worm infection

among the children and adolescent. So it may increases anemia and

malnourished status.

Source: ICDS MPR.




Findings from Six Resource Frame Work and Analysis:

SOCIAL:

We found Kutumba, the traditional institution of Kondh community

and SHGs functioning in almost all the villages. According to village elders,

the Kutumba has gone through a major change in terms of its role in the

village governance. Approximately 30 years ago it was a space to discuss

and resolve issues concerning village life- management of village forest,

agriculture & water planning, conflicts, management of festivals, natural

disasters, and the engagement with the external world etc. The village

priestess and two other traditional role holders – Jani , and Nayak used to

play important role in the decision making process .The villagers had trust

on these role holders .The collective well being was the guiding principle in

its decision making process .The decision of Kutumba was binding on every

villager.

In between 1985 and 1990 roads were laid out in villages by the

Government. With the roads, people from nearby markets, neighboring

blocks, district and state (especially Andhra Pradesh) had begun to visit

villages and new contacts were established. The outflow of village and

forest products to market and inflow of cash into the villages increased.

Gradually a number of Governments sponsored schemes came to villages

along with SHGs. It according to elderly women brought in a major change

in their villages. The Panchayat Raj institutions and SHGs had started

playing significant role in village governance. The conflict in between

villagers increased. The role of Kutumba got restricted to discuss only

issues on their traditional rituals. It needs deeper reflection to

understand the underlying factors which have contributed to the

changes as narrated above.

The village level planning process of govt. or non govt. is mostly

dominated by politically influential PRI members. They do not consult

Kutumba. People have shared experiences of how deserving households

have been ignored. Lack of women participation is seen in every forum, like

Palli Sabha, Grama Sabha even KUTUMBA meetings of some villages. It

seems that male person has not given any scope to female person for way

forward. In 13 out of 46 villages, the population is mixed consisting of




Dalits and Adivasis The adivasis do not eat food cooked by Dalit and don’t

drink the water collected by Dalit. People have the common understanding

and given respect to the decision of their “KUTUMBA”. There is a social

barrier in every village. It needs to be focused to gather the people from all

the communities under the umbrella of village “KUTUMBA”. People have

the common understanding and given respect to the decision of their

“KUTUMBA”. Economic groups are based on having more agricultural land

and assets.

The social and cultural practices in relation to child care are a cause

of concern in the PVTG areas. Most of the mothers of the PVT community

are working and therefore either take their small children with them or

leave them with their older siblings at home for care. On both the

occasions, the feeding of the small child is compromised. Studies on PVTGs

indicate to late initiation of breast feeding, feeding of additional food other

than breast feeding during the first six months and very late initiation of

complimentary feeding. The frequency of feeding for the children as well as

adults is very low which leads to high levels of under nutrition in the

community.

ECONOMIC:

The local communities are small and marginal Adivasi farmers. The

average per household land holding is 2 acres. It is a rain fed region and

more than 60 % of the cultivable land is upland having poor soil health. As

per our interaction with villagers and especially women, 90% of the

households have 5 month (between May and September) of food scarcity.

Majority of households of the 46 villages visited depend on agriculture,

forest and daily wage work. Due to open grazing after the month of

December they can’t grow 2nd crops.

The rain cycle has become quite erratic in the last 5 ~ 7 years

affecting the agriculture operation in the area. Local farmers, used to begin

ploughing their field after the first rain in the fourth week of May. However,

there has been a change in its arrival in the last five years. It is delayed by 3

~ 4 weeks. Similarly, rain has been delayed by almost a month at critical

stages of flowering of paddy and millets. Long dry spells, untimely rains,

and hailstorms have become a pattern in the area affecting the local




agricultural operations. The chemical intensive monoculture has led to a

dominance of only a few rice varieties in the area. It has made the fields

more vulnerable with the unfolding changes in climate and increased the

risk of harvest failures resulting in localized food, feed, and fodder

shortages.

The local population depend on forest for 30 ~ 40% of their annual

food. However, the forest biodiversity is getting shrunk in the district due

to plantation of monocultures. Most of the agriculture program being run

by various actors has been pushing synthetic chemical inputs, aggressive

seed replacement rate, non renewable seeds, steadily increasing input cost.

In 26 out of 46 villages they have a community fund .It is independent of

SHGs funds. They raise the fund by selling agriculture and forest products

and by collecting fees from the trucks collecting sands from Village River.

They loan out to people in need at 2% interest especially to meet medical

and marriage related expenses. In 7 villages they have purchased mike sets

and utensils to rent out for marriage and other festivals.

In all 46 villages, 50% households have no land patta for agriculture

and for housing. 30% HHs have applied for revenue land patta before our

intervention and 20% people have yet to be applied. Sufficient revenue

land is inside the village under custody of govt.

CULTURAL:

The communitarian ethos is reflected in their way of life. Every

village has traditional role holders the Jani, Naik, and Barika .These role

holders play important role in the context of rituals, and festivals .They

observe various festivals.

Brief description of some of the festivals - Festival season starts in

‘magha’- Feb-March, with ‘Ambabadi puja’, where the village deity is

worshipped. Hen, pigeon and buffalo are sacrificed by Bejuni (village

priestess) & Disari conducts the rituals.

In March-April, ‘katal puja’ is performed before clearing of the forest.

Hen, pigeon, eggs are offered on these occasions. After this, fire is set to

clear off the land.




In the month of chaitra (March-April) seed festival is commenced.

Mother earth, Kuteyu bali and Sita rani are invoked and pig, pigeon, hen,

goat are offered. It is believed that by doing so, seeds will germinate well.

By the moths of mid June – July, the fields are having standing crops. At this

moment they worship mother earth, yatra kudi, kuteyu wali, bhima, kitiri

rani, biri kuleni are invoked and are offer with hens, pigeon and buffalo. The

deities are prayed to provide protection to the growing crops from the

pests and diseases.

In the month of ‘shravana’( mid July to mid Aug) ‘rakashi puja’ is done

and deities like Rakashi, buru kuleni, mother earth are worshiped by

offering buffalo/ pigeon/ hen to safeguard the crops from unforeseen

causes described as ‘rakshya’- the devil. This is performed by the ‘bejunui’

of the village.

Mandia rani’ festival is also performed in this month. Goddess Mother

Earth and Sita rani is invoked and it is believed that through this puja, the

goddess blesses to have good harvest. Sita rani is worshiped at home with a

offering of a hen and mother earth is offered a cow at the village common

place. Bhima is also prayed for good rain. Yatra kudi (deity at the entrance

of the village) is worshipped with an offering of a buffalo. This puja is done

by the bejuni of the village.

At the end, rice is collected from each of the house of the village and

feast is made at the village entrance with rice and buffalo meat.

In the month of bhadraba’ (mid Aug – mid Sept), budha masa or nuakhia

festival is celebrated. Varieties of roots and tubers, raw tamarind, little

millet, finger millet (either the fruits or incase of no availability of fruits, a

twig of the plant would do) are offered along with hen, pigeon, goat meat to

mother earth first and then to Sita rani, Lada, Bhima. A part of the meat is

shared among all the families of the village and common feast is made with

the other part at the entrance of the village.

Next month, in Aswina( mid Sept to mid Oct) Dussehra is celebrated

and Mother Durga is worshiped. Usually these adivasis have a small hut

just at the outskirt of the village and it is called as the place of the goddess

Durga. During Dussehra, they worship their weapons (sword – big & small),

their music drum called Tamaka and a kalashi offering coconut, banana,




incense etc. Tamaka is offered a hen. A buffalo is sacrificed to deity. After

that all the villagers drink country liquor and dance using axe and knife.

In between two months aswina and kartika (Sept-Oct) deity Sita rani is

welcomed to house. A chick or a piglet is offered to welcome her. With this

begins the harvesting season. First they harvest finger millet and next little

millet and then other crops. The crops are harvested and kept at Ladi (the

hut in the dongar). Once cutting of crops of whole village is over, next

round of processing of crops starts.

In Margashira (mid Nov-mid Dec) ‘dannda puja’ is performed. Near

the stocks of finger millets and little millets, they make small rangoli and

bejuni invokes gangi, Sita rani, Danda debata.Gangi is offered a pig, Danda

debata a goat and Sita rani hen and pigeon. After this they start thrashing

finger millet and little millet and take grains home.

In pousa (Mid Dec-mid Jan) kandula festival is celebrated as pigeon

pea, cow pea etc. pulses get ready to be eaten. Mother earth, Sita rani,

amma kauri and bhima are worshiped on this occasion. Buffalo, hen, goat,

pigeon and pigs are sacrificed. People drink alcohol on this day and spend

the day by singing and dancing.

It is believed that while worshiping on the above mentioned

occasions, spirit of GOD enters the body of bejuni and she starts speaking a

different language. An older woman manages her. The drums are beaten as

per her choice. People clarify their doubts if any, with the bejuni this time

or confess any ‘wrong ‘done, beg excuse and pray to forgive the villagers.

Meria Parab is celebrated once in every 3 years or if all the families of

the village get good harvest of all the crops in a year. At present it is

celebrated even at a gap of 8-10 years, because expenditure for this festival

is quite high.

POLITICAL:

The villages have the institutions likes SHG, Vana Samrakshyana

Samittee (VSS), Pani Panchayat, and Janch Committee 1etc. The people

respect the decisions of the traditional role holders. We can see positive

collaboration between various institutions, like PRI members, members

1 Janch Committee is a group to monitor the feeding programme of Anganwadi Centre and MDM (Mid Day

Meal) of the village as per the guideline, Govt. of Odisha.




from CBOs and other committees.As per discussion we wanted to know

that the members of different committees did not know about their roles

and responsibilities. So the members were not able to play their roles

correctly. So it was a cause for mismanagement of different programmes

implemented by the govt. or non-govt. agency. One person keeps in touch

with GP and Block regularly. He is also working for his own interest for

community benefit and simultaneously his own benefit. Sarapanch is also

exploited by the govt. servant. If sometimes the PRIs members demand any

project from BDO or any govt. officials as per their community need, the

govt. official use the PRIs as per their flexibility. Sometimes the villagers

were also exploited by the Govt. official.

One Adivasi person from another village purchased 10 acres of land

from a villager of Balijodi village some years back. At that time he was an

employee of PWD dept., Govt. of Odisha. He was also a member of Balijodi

Pani Panchayat. He cultivated 10 acres land and cheated the farmer; he did

not pay the electric bill as per their share. It was also a cause for non-

functioning of Pani Panchayat. As a result, 40% farmers of this village those

are dependent on that L.I Point for cultivation, lost for one year.

The people respect the decision of the traditional role holders. There are 6

women out of 13 Sarpanchas. They are also dominated by the male

persons. Their husbands or any male persons controlled those female PRI

members. Some Sarpanchs told that they are also exploited by the govt.

servants also. If sometimes the PRIs members demand any project near

BDO as per their community need, the govt. official bias them and motivate

the PRIs as per their flexibility. Sometimes the villagers also exploited by

the Govt. official. We have seen some villages that the govt. and NGOs have

taken some programmes for the villages and some of the active villagers

have denied to accept the programme because the implementers did not

implement the programme as per the requirement of the village or the

villagers. Active and vocal youth of the villagers have the capacity to

represent the issues of the villagers in various forum but they are migrating

to other states like Kerala, Madhyapradesh and Andhrapradesh in search of

daily labour work.




ECOLOGICAL:

The project area is rain fed without any assured irrigation facility to

grow one more crop beyond January. So, people grow their food in their

farms, backyards and collect food from forest, water bodies and village

commons. We had organized community meetings especially with women

to interact with them on the foods collected by them in different seasons.

They collect fruits, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, insects and roots & tubers,

fish & crabs, birds and oil and seeds etc.

There is a trend of decline of food available in their forests, in terms

of quantity, and diversity. One of the reasons is shrinking forest diversity

due to plantation of eucalyptus, teak, cashew, and pongomia etc.

People in the area have water stress periods from March to June. The soil

being red lateritic has very poor water retention ability. In Muniguda block,

people practice shifting cultivation. It is known as ‘Dongar chasa / Huru

chasa’. It is practiced by Dongarias, Kutia kondhs and Talia kondhs .They

select a hillock within a radius of 1-2 kilometers from their habitat. Once

selected, all the villagers take a patch of the hillock to cultivate. They grow

their food for 5 years maximum in a given hillock and move from bottom of

the hillock to up each year. They follow a pattern of growing crops as

explained below.

In a new patch, they grow Finger millet, Kodo millet, little millet, Cow

pea, Pigeon pea, and Rice Bean.

In the second year they grow there little millet, Foxtail millet,

Sorghum, Barnyard millet, Castor, and Turmeric.

In the third year they plant Ginger, Turmeric, and Banana in the same

patch.

On the fourth year, ginger is harvested. A part of the harvest is sold in

the market. The rest is stored for household consumption and as planting

materials for next season.

In the fifth year little millet, Sorghum, Ginger, Castor are grown and

turmeric is harvested.




Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Finger millet,

Kodo millet,

Little millet,

Cow pea,

Pigeon pea, Rice

Bean

Little millet,

Foxtail millet,

Sorghum,

Barnyard

millet, Castor,

Turmeric

Ginger,

Turmer

ic,

Banana

Ginger is

harvested and

sold. Seeds are

stored for next

season.

Turmeric

continues

Banana is

harvested.

Little millet,

Sorghum,

Ginger, Castor.

Turmeric is

harvested.

Earlier they used to grow 56 varieties of crops on upland and 38 on

low land. They had an 8 ~ 12 year cycle. It has been reduced to 3 years as

‘the forest guards don’t allow villagers to move up’ say villagers.

The seeds

Usually these tribals use their own seeds. If a family does not have

seeds of a particular crop, they borrow it from other families and return

double the quantity to them after the harvest. They are very particular to

save the seeds of little millet and finger millet which they neither like to

borrow or buy.

Land preparation

They start cleaning (cutting of the bushes, twigs and branches of big

trees) the hillocks in February and complete it by March or first half of

April. They work collectively one from each family joining together. This

group is paid a day’s wage, called ‘bhuti’ by the land user and a meal to eat.

Earlier it used to be Rs.10-15’ per household per day according to Sikoka

Bundo. However, now it has become Rs 100 ~ 150/-. The amount is

deposited in a village common fund, called ‘Chhauni’. They make expenses

from this common fund during festivals. In case a family is not able to join

the group in the work, their relatives or friends share the labour.

Once the bushes are burnt in the month of May, land is considered to be

ready for cultivation.




After the first rain, they broadcast finger millet & little millet. The

entire family gets involved in this activity. It gets over by first week of June.

They do weeding once in the month of July. Families having less number of

persons to work, take the help of fellow villagers.

Some villages having the check dam, Canal and Lift irrigation Point as

irrigation facility for agriculture. All the villages having the tube well for

use of drinking water, but in some villages it was defunct and in some

villages water was not sufficient due to water level goes downwards

gradually.

KNOWLEDGE

Due to less knowledge on mother & child care, they have a regular

practice to bath their small children (0-1 yr age) two times a day, i.e.

morning and evening. They are not thinking about the sickness of the child

at all. They are thinking that if the child baths more no. of times in a day the

child become very strong. A common understanding of the tribal

community the child called “BUDU” pila. As a result of that infant death and

neo natal death has been increased. It needs to be focused on the practice

of dry and wrapping method for new born baby. They are having the

knowledge of traditional process of cultivation, but now they have less

practiced the traditional method of cultivation. The farmers having

knowledge on crop diversification, organic farming etc., but they don’t have

the practices, because water is not sufficient for multi crops etc. People are

inability to receive knowledge from others. They are interested to adopt

the new methods implemented under the various schemes under govt.

/non govt. In every village they are having the knowledge of manufacturing

of furniture’s, making of iron material (like arrow, axe, and bullock cart

etc). In all the villages they are having the knowledge on traditional dance,

art & craft and singing songs, making of musical instruments (like Dhapu,

Changu, Tamaka, Sarangi etc). They have the knowledge on soil

conservation and water shed management on traditional method (like

stone bonding, digging of contour trench etc). At the time food scarcity they

eat the processed uncultivated food and they have also knowledge on that

how to process the UCF for eating.




They have the knowledge on traditional agriculture Process, like

process of seed collection, Preparation and Preservation and use of bio-

fertilizer. They use their own seeds. If a family does not have seeds of a

particular crop, they borrow it from other families and return to them after

the harvest they are very particular to save the seeds of little millet and

finger millet which they neither like to borrow or buy. They have the

knowledge to built arrow, axe, ploughing materials etc for their use. Due to

irregular rain fall, less fertility of land by using chemical fertilizer now they

have got less quantity crops from their land. So it needs to visit the other

areas for exposure.

There is a scope for preschool education for 3-6 years children. One

Anganwadi Centre is there, One Anganwadi Worker has been posted there,

but due to lack of infrastructure the people are not getting the available

services for health & nutrition services properly.

Geographical inaccessibility and inaccessibility due to knowledge and

awareness amongst the PVTGs results in low uptake of health, nutrition

and other services. Knowledge on health, nutrition and sanitation in the

community is found to be abysmally low.

According to the above findings a concrete plan is developed

Progress of Planned activity Vs Achievement (Period of implementation: Jun 2014-Dec 2015)

1. Enable conducting community convergence and collective action

programme at community level for addressing backwardness alleviation & leading to sustainable development.

Sl

No

Activity

Planned

Activity

Completed Result

Not done

with

Causes

1 Revive &

Conduct

regular

meetings (on

issue based) of

Conducted

monthly

“KUTUMBA”

Meetings in each

It is continued and

the members of

Kutumba in 24

villages are now able

to identify the issues




“KUTUMBA” in

all 46 villages.

46 Villages.

of their Kutumba

and made the plan

accordingly.

In those villages they

are able to present

their issues in Palli

Sabha.

In other villages it is

improved gradually.

2

Selection of

Village level

Change Agent

(VLCA).

Conducting

training &

capacity

building

Programme

for VLCA.

138 VLCAs

Selected by the

Kutumba of their

village.

One day training

completed for all

VLCAs (4 times).

They have done

the base line data

collection with

the support of BA

team members.

In every 46 villages,

They are supporting

to Kutumba for

arranging the

meeting.

But 72 nos VLCAs

empowered

gradually and they

have actively

involved in the

developmental work

of their community.

Arrange the

Kutumba meeting

before Pallisabha of




Involve in the

collection of data

by using of 6

resource frame

work.

their village and

develop the plan for

presenting the issues

at Palli Sabha.

3 Baseline Data

Collection

with the

support of

VLCAs

Completed for 46

villages.

Support the

Kutumba to identify

the issues of their

community on

agriculture, Water,

Sanitation and

Hygiene, Bio-

diversity, food

Security, Health and

Nutrition.

4 Data collection

on using of six

resource

frame Work

Completed for all

46 villages and

analysed the data

on six resource

frame work in all

villages.

Issue identified and

Prioritize the issue

as per need of the

community.

Share the issues with

the villagers in

Kutumba Meetings.

Plan was developed

for the 46 villages.

5 Selection of

Block level

Change Agent

(BLCA).

32 nos BLCA

selected

6 Conducting

training &

capacity

They have

involved in the

developmental

They consolidate the

prioritized problems

with assistance of




building

Programme

for BLCA.

work of

community as

per plan of

programme

villages in

Grampanchayat

Level.

VLCAs. After that

they present the

prioritized issues in

“Gram Sabha”.

7 Formation of

CRGG

They have met

before the Gram

Sabha.

They met once in

this period.

They have

consolidated the

issues of their areas

and submit the plan

near appropriate

forum.

8 Form and

strengthen the

Youth Clubs.

36 youth Clubs

formed and 382

youths involved.

Active youths

have involved in

the training

programme of

VLCA.

They have

participated in all

developmental work

with VLCAs of their

community and

support the VLCAs.

9 Conducting

training cum

workshop for

Panchayat

Sarapanchs.

-

Due to

natural

calamities,

like Hud

Hud

(Cyclone)

and as

they

involved




2. Empowerment of Women through “KUTUMBA” and increase the

Health & Nutrition status of stake holder in the programme villages.

Sl

No. Activity

Planned Activity Completed Result

Not done

with

Causes

1 PLA meeting

conducted bi-

monthly in

every month

to address

Malnutrion.

5nos PLA meeting

completed in 5

villages.

100% drop out/left

out reduced from

getting the health

services.

Minimum 10

women members

from every

“KUTUMBA”

aware about the

basic health

services

provided by the

system and basic

Problems of

mother and child

health.

Attend VHND

&

immunization

session by

the VLCA

along with

192nos regular VHND

and immunization

session attended by

the BA team member

along with the

100%

attendance of

beneficiaries in

every Village

Health and

Nutrition Day

in

agriculture

it was not

happening

10 Selection of

another 20

new villages.

20 new villages selected.




the BA team VLCAs.. (VHND).

Provide

counseling on

health &

nutrition to

women

members

from

“KUTUMBA”

by the

AWW/ANM.

100% beneficiaries

immunized.

100% beneficiaries

got quality health

check up at VHND.

Attacking by the

six killer diseases

(Diphtheria,

Porto sis,

Tetanus, TB,

measles) with

Hepatitis to

Children is

reduced.

100%

children (0-5

yrs) weighed

regularly

every month.

100% beneficiaries

weighed by the

AWWs and 62nos the

VLCAs are support to

AWWs in those

AWWs having more

remote tag village.

Normal children

status increased

by 1.8%,

moderate status

decrease 1% and

Severe

malnourished

children status

decreased by

0.8% in this year.

42 VLCAs are

able to 2track the

malnourished

status of the

children.

Dry and

wrapping

method

practiced

20% practiced the

dry and wrapping

method.

Neo natal death

is reduced

gradually.




immediately

after the child

birth by the

beneficiaries.

All the issues

on Health are

discussed

with the

Kutumba.

In all the issues of

health nutrition

services discussed in

all 46 villages.

The people are

empowered and

develop the plan

for health issues

on health and

nutrition.

VLCAs are able to

accountable near

the Kutumba to

solve the health

issues in 24

villages.

2 Creating

awareness on

malaria

Discussed with the

villagers at the

meeting of Kutumba

in all 46 villages to

use of mosquito net

to prevent malaria.

40 % families are

added with the

existing users of

mosquito net.

20 % HHs used

Malaria

percentage is

reduced

gradually.




Karanja oil, Neem oil,

Kusum oil etc to

prevent malaria.

Form smoke with

Neem leaves.

3. Conserve biodiversity and food security.

Sl

No. Activity


Not

done

with

Causes

1 Conduct

monthly

meeting of

“KUTUMBA”

and discussed

on bio-

diversity and

identified the

issues from

different

studies.

Discussed with the

Forest Dept. Staff and

with the Vana

Samrakshyana Samittee

(VSS) for forest

protection and for

plantation in new forest

area.

In 12 villages,

the villagers are

actively involved

in forest

Protection.

Plantation is

well survived in

12 villages.

Waste land

development

through

plantation

with

increasing the

income of

individuals.

184 families planted

cashew plant in 92

Acres.

92 families planted

mango in 42 acres.




Plantations done with

govt. collaboration and

with seedlings and

resources.

Mobilize the

people to

reduce the

shifting

Cultivation

(Podu).

Mobilize the people to

reduce the shifting

Cultivation (Podu) in

Kutumba meeting

Ensure

agricultural

and food

security

through Grain

Banks.

Continuation of 6 Grain

Banks in 18 villages and

form 6 new Grain Banks

with People’s

participation to avoid

their dependency on

money lenders for

agricultural

Practice.512 households

will be benefited.

512 families

have got food

throughout the

year.

Conduct

meetings of

BLCAs and

discuss on

environment

issues and

water level is

fall down

gradually.

Rain fall data collected

for five years and

discussed it in BLCA

meeting.

Counselled to Kutumba

members not to

cultivate Nilagiri

plantation.

Nilagiri

plantation is

gradually

decreased.




4. Enable people to solve the water issues on agriculture and drinking

purposes.

Sl

No. Activity

Planned

Activity

Completed Result

Not done

with

Causes

1 Conduct

“Kutumba”

meeting on

drinking water

issues.

72nos defunct tube

wells have been

repaired before

summer season out

of 178 tube wells.

7nos new tube

wells digging with

the efforts of BLCAs.

100% have got

safe drinking

water before

summer and

rainy season.

2 Creating

awareness on

prevention of

diarrhea and

other water

borne diseases

through

meeting at

village level.

Aware the people

through Kutumba

meeting.

100% have got

safe drinking

water before

summer and

rainy season.

3 VLCAs from

every village

trained on

water tasting.

BLCAs take

28nos person

trained for water

tasting.

The villager of 44

villages using the

safe water.




active role on it.

4 Two diversion

based irrigation

facilities

constructed in

two villages, i.e.

at Karamohan &

Sana Bankili

villages with

the support of

Tata Trust.

Work started with

guidance of the

VLCAs.

5 Proposal

submitted for

new LI points in

two villages and

46nos new bore

points for

individual.

Proposal already

submitted for

Tobhapadar and

Karamohan Village

by the BLCA near

District collector.

6 Conduct

“Kutumba”

meeting on

water issues for

agriculture.

Status audit

completed for every

villages.

7 Repair the

defunct lift

irrigation

points

in our

programme

villages.

Repaired 4 nos

defunct lift

irrigation points in

3 villages.

2 nos canal cleaned

and repaired in 3

Villages.

100 acres of land

irrigated in three

villages.

8 BLCAs/VLCAs 32nos new bore 70 acres of land




take active role

on it.

point comes to

running Condition

under Biju Krushak

Yojana & used by

individual.

Proposal submitted

for new LI points in

two villages and

46nos new bore

points for

individual.

irrigated through

bore facilities.

5. Agriculture.

Sl

No. Activity


Not done

with

Causes

1 Conduct

“Kutumba”

Meeting on

agriculture.

All 46 villages

have the plan

for agriculture

if rain fall will

be less.

Discussed issues on

agriculture in every

46 villages & planned

accordingly.

70% families

have done

Dongor Chasa &

Gudia Chasa due

to less rain fall.

(Mandia, Kosala,

Black gram,

Kolatha, Maize,

Kandula Dal,

Rasi, Alsi etc)

2 Capacity

building of

Farmers

100 VLCAs with the

farmers from every

Programme villages

Only they are

using chemicals

in 172 acres of




through

Meetings with

the

Involvement of

govt. and

Other non

govt.

Programmes.

will be aware on

different schemes on

agriculture for their

Village.

100% farmers used

organic manure in

Agriculture other

than paddy

cultivation.

Paddy

cultivation.

In 652 acres of

gudia chasa they

are using organic

manure.

3 Conduct 3

days meetings

for farmers

with

involvement of

VLCAs.

Promotion of

Organic

farming

Supply of quality

vegetable seeds to

the Farmers by the

Govt. and Tata Trust.

352 nos families

have the kitchen

garden. (Brinjal,

Beans, Drum

stick etc)




Ann. 2 – C

Outcomes of Baseline Activities: The situation in Veppur

Water Resources – Status Audit for Veppur Block

Table of Contents

1. An introduction to Water Resources Status Audit (WRSA)

2. The Purpose and Objectives of WRSA

3. The Approach (Wholistic, Inclusive)

4. The Preparation for WRSA

4.1 Capacity building of field staff

4.2 Ascertaining the required data

4.3 Data collection and collation

4.4 WRSA Lab exercise and verification with the WRSA expert

5. Execution: Water Resources Status Audit for Veppur Block and 9

operational villages.

6. Sharing the Water Resources Status Audit reports with respective

village community

7. Community Action Programmes stirred by WRSA (The Outcome)

8. Challenges & Dilemmas

9. Concluding remarks

1. An introduction to Water Resources Status Audit (WRSA)

Water Resources Status Audit is a process through which the community

of a particular geographical or cultural area understands the dynamics

between water supply and demand. Through this process, initially with the

help of an external expertise, the community ascertains available water

resources, measures water supply and demand. The process leads the




community towards efficient and effective water use culture. It helps to

narrow the gaps between supply and demand.

The Barefoot Academy of Governance hereinafter referred to as BA,

while breaking the barriers has also planned to use WRSA process for

triggering sustainable community actions for revival and restoration of

traditional water bodies in the village through mobilizing community

participation.

2. The Purpose and Objectives of WRSA in BA

Water Resources Status Audit, here in Barefoot Academy of Governance,

initiated with a long-term Vision.

Revitalize & Restore the emotional bond (community ownership)

between the community and water bodies with specific focus on

youth and children.

To ascertain the present condition of water bodies in the village. To estimate the existing condition of water resources, supply and demand.

To ensure that the community (WUAs, Women SHGS, Panchayath,

Youth and Children) becomes consciously aware of water context

of their own village.

To initiate community sensitization process on water and

collaborative action towards water conservation and management

practices with long-term vision.

3. The Approach (Wholistic, Inclusive)

Water cannot be compartmentalized. We, at BA, see water as water. In the process of WRSA, we included the water requirements of all water users; human population, animal population, for farming sector and other livelihoods such as Washer folk, Pot makers etc.,

BA’s approach has been inclusive; Inclusive of all sections of the village, most importantly the Unreached. The Elders are recognized and acknowledged for their experience and wisdom. Active farmers are identified and involved. Women Self Help Groups are part of the process representing mainly the domestic water requirements. Youth are the primary players of the whole process. The water needs of other livelihood




dependents are also included (Pot makers, Dhobi etc.) School children and teachers are also involved.

In one of the public meetings in one of our operational villages, we experienced an eye-opener incident. While facilitating an interactive public meeting, a lean person from the people side, who was half naked, was emotionally clamouring for revival of water bodies in the village, including the big tank which is under Water Resources Department. At the end of the meeting, we found that the half naked gentle man did not own a piece of agricultural land. To our utter surprise, that man said, “I own nothing”. “Oh! You are not a farmer then”, screamed the facilitator of the public meeting. He said, he is a washer man of the village and his family’s livelihood is entirely dependent on the availability of water in the big tank and other small water bodies in the village. He further said, not only the farmers but people like him also were suffering due to shortage of water in the village. This incident triggered us to be inclusive.

4. The Preparation for WRSA

4.1 Capacity building of field staff

Water Resources Status Audit comprises of water budgeting exercise

which involves plenty of arithmetic calculations. Moreover, the exercise

needs to be demystified in order to take it to the ground level. Our field

staff were trained by an experienced Civil engineer who has extensive

experience in conducting water budgeting exercise at the village level in

Tamil Nadu. The training component included water measuring techniques,

conversions, adaptation of tools and dymistification.

1 Cubic Meter of Water = 1000 liters or 10 crore ML (milli

literes) or 35.3 Cft

1 Cft = 28.33 liters

1 Cubic Kilometer of Water = 1 lakh crore litres

10000 Sq.M = 1 Hectare

1 Sq.M = 10.764 Sq.ft

1 sq.Kmt = 100 Hectares

1 Hectare = 2.4710 Acres




4.2 Ascertaining the required data

We gathered data for the entire Veppur block and the operational

villages.

The data required and source of data collection were ascertained. The

village is the geographical area for which Water Resources audit as been

conducted.

The area of the extent: The area of the extent of the village is the first and

foremost data required for the water resources audit. This data is required

for measuring the rain water collected by the entire village. The area of

extent of the village is measured by Hectares.

Average rainfall: The average rain fall of Veppur block was taken for

measuring the rain water collected by the village.

Water harvesting / storage structures: No.of ponds, tanks, wells and

other traditional / modern water storage structures were enumerated.

The data was collected pertaining to the demography of the village,

population of livestock, poultry etc., categories of water users in the village

such as domestic, agriculture, cottage industries, poultry, duck rearing,

washer community, pottery and other livelihoods.

Cropping pattern is vital data. We collected data pertaining to cropping

pattern of the village.

4.3 Data collection, conversion and collation

Data collection was proved to be a herculean task. We had to visit a

village for many times in order to collect pertinent data. The Village

Panchayat President, Village Administrative Office, Panchayat Secretary,

Village elders, Districts revenue officials, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) were

some of the main sources of data collection.

Gathering the data pertaining to cropping pattern of a village was a tough

task. We prepared a Master sheet of entire data for each village for easy

reference and utilization.




4.4 WRSA Lab exercise and verification with the WRSA expert

Once the relevant data was collected, the field staff worked out water

audit (budgeting) for all operational villages. Since it involved complicated

mathematical calculations, they had to do it more than twice till they got

correct values which were verified by the Civil engineer who trained our

field staff on Water Status Audit.

Now our field staffs have expertise in Water Resources Status Audit.

5. Execution: Water Resources Status Audit for Veppur Block and

operational villages

Our field staff, after lab exercises, did final drafts of Water Resources

Status Audit for entire Veppur block and operational villages. Let us have a

glimpse of hydrological and demographic profile of the Veppur block.

Veppur block’s total area of extent is 42902 Ha.

Total Human Population : 128674 (2011)

Live stock population (In thousands) (2009-10)

Cattle Buffaloes Sheep Goats Poultry Pigs Dogs Rabbits

33032 1084 10224 45467 8860 2689 1391 17

Soil resources

Soil type – Clay loam, Major nutrients which are deficient – Nitrogen,

Micro-nutrients which are deficient – Zinc and Boron.

Veppur block has 1236 tanks, 3189 tube wells, 3145 ordinary wells

irrigating to the extent of 7570 Ha. (Source: Department of Economics &

Statistics, GoTN – 2005-06).




Average rainfall for Veppur Block

The Perambalur district receives rainfall under the influence of both

south west and north east monsoon. The normal rainfall for the period

(1901-70) ranges from 843.5 to 1123.3 mm.

The normal rainfall of the district is 908 mm which is less than the

state average rainfall of 946.9 mm. (Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Perambalur)

North East monsoon period receives 475 mm followed by 314 mm

during South West monsoon, 91 mm during summer and 28 mm during

winter season.

Veppur block comes and north-eastern agro-climatic zone of

Perambalur district which according to KVK receives an annual rainfall of

900 to 975 mm.

The district average rainfall can be taken for Veppur block.

Measuring rainfall:

In terms of volume, with a rainfall of 10 mm, every square metre of the field receives 0.01 m, or 10 litres, of rain water. With a rainfall of 1 mm, every square metre receives 1 litre of rain water.

A rainfall of 1 mm supplies 0.001 m3, or 1 litre of water to each square metre of the field. Thus 1 ha receives 10 000 litres.

The Ground water status

The Ground water availability for Veppur block (As on 31st March

2007)

Net ground water availability was 6198.40 Ha.m, the existing gross

draft for irrigation 6660.42 Ha.m, existing gross draft for domestic and

industrial water supply 279.13, existing gross draft for all uses 6939.55

Ha.m.




Allocation for domestic and industrial water uses for next 25 years is

289.99 Ha.m.

The cropping pattern of Veppur block

Percentage of gross cropped area under irrigation of Perambalu

district is 30.99 which is relatively lower/ Source: Tamilnadu Statistical

Hand Book 2011, Department of Economics and Statistics, Chennai

Veppur block: The major irrigation sources are tanks, wells and tube

wells. Since the rainfall is uniformly distributed from July to December, two

crop sequences of groundnut followed by purses or sesamum are practices.

The other crops like sugarcane and millets are raised with the help of well

irrigation.

Cropping Pattern for the year 2011-12 in Veppur Block

Sl.No. Crops Area in

Hectares

Percentage Remarks

1. Paddy 3204.94 5 11.95

2. Cholam 1164.68 5 4.34

3. Cumbu 16.400 0.06

4. Ragi 4.550 0.02

5. Maize 11228.5 75 41.85

6. Varagu 268.030 1.00

7. Pulses 152.225 0.57

8. Spices 336.455 1.25

9. Sugar 1572.29 0 5.86

10. Fruits

Banana = 31 Ha.

74.685 0.28

11. Vegetables 331.590 1.24




Chillies = 76 Ha.

12. Cotton 7462.46 27.8 Non-food

13. Oil Seeds 856.350 3.19

14. Other crops

Turmeric = 168

Ha.

Coriander = 28 Ha.

Tapioca = 173

Ha.

155.960 0.58

Grand Total

Source: Joint Director of Agriculture, Perambalur District

Andhur, Assor, Odiyam and Perali are predominantly non-food crop

villages in Veppur block. Among the common dry crops, cumbu, cholam,

ragi and maize, red gram and Bengalgram come under category of food

crops. On the other hand,

groundnut, gingelly, castor

and cotton are the non-food

crops.

For the purpose of

water budgeting exercise,

we consider predominant

rainfed agriculture as

"unirrigated areas" and

predominant irrigated

agriculture as "irrigated

area."

The Water Status Audit

for entire Veppur Block: Veppur Block with a population of 128674

(2011 cenus) is one of the most backward blocks in Tamil Nadu. Please

note that the population figure of 2011 Census was taken into account

without any addition for the year 2015 as migration is quite rampant in

Veppur block. The annual growth rate seems to be 1.5% based on which




the estimated population for the year 2015 could have been calculated. But,

keeping in view ‘the migration factor,’ the 2011 census population figure

was taken in to account. The water supply has been estimated at

592358.31 lakh litters. We could not get the precise data pertaining to the

additional water the block gets from Vellar River. The water requirements

for the block have been estimated at 17599941.51 lakh litres. The water

balance for Veppur block is ‘a deficit account’ which has been estimated at

1167583.2 lakh litters. (Please see Annexure 1 for detailed Water

Resources Status Audit Case Report).

Please see the table given below.

Sl.No. Name of the

Village

Water Balance (In Lakh Litres)

Estimated Available

Water (Both

surface and

ground water)

Estimated Need /

Demand (For both

Wet and Dry crops

– two crops in a

year)

Surplus Deficit

1. Andhur 9748.38 22402.27 12653.81

2. Moongilpadi 5455.72 13559.92 11134.2

3. Ogalur 7645.69 27050.22 19404.53

4. Thirumandhurai 15106.28 8860.44 6245.84

5. Perumathur 9753.06 37997.39 28244.33

6. Asoor 16061.46 14472.95 1588.502

7. Kolappadi 7575.32 18732.26 11157.04

8. Nannai 7333.45 28646.16 20982.71

Out of 8 operational villages, where we conducted Water Resources

Audit, only two villages have surplus account. Thirumandhurai has water




surplus account because it has no agricultural activity. This village had sold

most of its agricultural land to the state for industrial purpose. Asoor

village, despite the continued agricultural activities, has surplus water

balance due mainly to diversified cropping pattern. However, this inference

needs to be cross verified with various variables.

Andhur is one village where no ‘Wet crops’ (no paddy cultivation), the

entire village has only dry crops. Still the village has a deficit water balance.

Moongilpadi, despite a small village, has water deficit balance.

6. Sharing the Water Resources Status Audit reports with respective

village community

BA initiated the process of sharing the Water Resources Status Audit

reports with Ogalur village. Ogalur is one of the largest villages among our

all operational villages. The village has a huge traditional irrigation tank

and 9 ponds. The village is rich interms of water resources but water deficit

seems to be quite high; estimated at 19404.53 lakh litters. (Please refer

Annexure 2)

As one of the primary objectives of conducting Water Resources

Status Audit is to trigger collective community action for revival and

restoration of traditional water bodies in the village, and as Ogalur has

some potentials for that, BA field staff chose to initiate the process in this

village. An initiative titled ‘Reclaiming Pubic Water’, a community based

collective action programme, has been launched in Ogalur. The details of

which can be read in the successive para.

7. Community Action Programmes stirred by WRSA (The Outcome)

Reclaiming Public Water Bodies in Ogalur Village (Veppur Block) has

been launched with a small step on 4th September 2015 with 6 committed

youth. Along with BA field workers, the six volunteers from Ogalur resolved

to clean up a pond situated close to dalit hamlet. 20 person hours of manual

labour made the Marudhiyan pond look clean and green. Enthused by the

difference that they could bring about in a couple of hours, the youth then

resolved to clean up Chinna Kulam (pond) on 19thand 20th of September




2015 with more youth. On hearing the success story of Marudhiyan Kulam,

the School Head Mistress of Ogalur volunteered to send her students on

19th and 20th to take part in cleaning up of Chinna Kulam.

Revival and restoration of water bodies in Ogalur was further

strengthened by mobilizing people to participate in the public meeting on

5th September 2015. The Public meeting was organized for formally

launching the Reclaiming the Ogalur tank and 9 ponds. The School children

were also present. Nearly about 40 people had assembled. All those who

had assembled took active participation in the dialogue which was

centered on elimination of Neyveli Kaattu Amanakku (weed) from Ogalur

Big Tank. BA members briefed on the need for people’s action for

reclaiming public water bodies in Ogalur Village. It was resolved to request

the Panchayat Council to depute NREGS workers for the task of cleaning up

Ogalur Big tank.

BA staffs have also ensured that there would not be any objection from

District authorities. In fact, one of the District Officers who visited NREGS

work site on 2nd September 2015 had orally asked NRGES workers to

eliminate the weed from Ogalur tank.

BA field staff are simultaneously having dialogue with NREGS workers.

Some of them are ready to work and some are not ready. There are wild

pigs living inside the weed which is wide spread in the tank. BA field staff

are continuously having dialogue with people of Ogalur to strategize the

elimination of the weed.

In Ogalur, there are two approaches going on simultaneously as far as

Reclaiming public water bodies is concerned. One is with small ponds for

which field action has already been started and with Ogalur big tank for

which community consensus building process is going on.

People’s movement for Democratization of Water in Ogalur Village

“This pond was once our primary source of drinking water. The water from

this tank was used for all domestic purposes except bathing. Nobody was

allowed to take bath in this pond. The water in this pond was protected with




social control measures. The community had arranged a security person to

protect this pond from any misuse. Look at the situation of pond now; it is

painful to see people throwing garbage into it. The tap water system has

alienated ponds from people.” Pitchai, one of the senior most persons of

Ogalur village described how beautiful was this pond when he was a child

and how painful it is to see the situation of the pond now.

People will soon realize that surface water bodies are primary source

of drinking water even now as they contribute immensely for ground water

recharge.

The Youth energy was unfurled - The beauty of Chinna kulam was

unveiled

In an effort to revive and restore the water bodies, the youth of

Ogalur village have launched a movement with the “Mission Possible

Mindset.” The Barefoot Academy, the institution working for

Democratization of Water, had pleasant surprise on 19th September 2015

when 65 youth (including school children) turned up to clean Chinna

Kulam (Pond), part 1. Dharmadhurai, the leading volunteer of Ogalur, was

taken by surprise by the response from the youth, kudos to BA field team

which toiled for mobilizing youth.

There was a brief discussion on the need for reviving and restoring

ponds in the village before youth jumped into the pond for cleaning it up.

Mr Pitchai’s historical description of the pond was shared with the youth.

The extensive mining of ground water can easily be prevented in Tamil

Nadu by augmenting the storage capacity of surface water bodies.

The voluntary action began at 7.30 AM and went on till 9.40 AM. 120

hours of voluntary manual labour cleaned up Chinna Kulam (Pond), Part 1.

The youth celebrated it by embracing each other. Few women who were

observing, were overwhelmed by the efforts of youth and felt proud of their

boys. They requested them to clean up other ponds too.

The beauty of Chinna Kulam, indeed, has been unveiled by the

voluntary action of Ogalur youth. The concrete structure (steps) leading the

way down to the pond has been exposed by removing thorny bushes. The




silt that stood in the way between the pond and surplus channel has been

removed. The public has been requested not to throw any garbage

anymore into the pond.

A young school going child (Studying in 3rd Standard) stole the show

by working for 120 minutes without a break. Like him, there were about 20

odd school going children who worked for cleaning up the pond without

Sandals / Shoes. The BA team has resolved to mobilize funds for providing

Sandals / Shoes for these children. These children are the real members of

Barefoot Academy of Governance. They are, indeed, the change champions

BA is looking for. These children contribution for Chinna Kulam’s revival so

far is priceless. The Youth energy was unfurled – The beauty of Chinna

Kulam was unveiled.

Way Forward

Complete Revival and Restoration of Chinna Kulam requires

machines too. Part 2 of Chinna Kulam has been covered with thorny

bushes. As per BA’s estimate, 15 days of machine work is required to

complete the revival and restoration of Chinna Kulam. An estimated

amount of Rs 20000/- is required for hiring machines. A working

committee for the purpose, as part of institutional arrangement, is

being formed for mobilizing funds.

As part of sustainable institutional frameworks, A Public-Public

Partnership model can be initiated. The Community Based

Organization (CBO) comprising of youth who are committed for

“Democratization of Water” in Ogalur, will have to be enabled to form

an association in order to forge partnerships with the Local Self

Governing Body (Panchayat), Department of Rural Development,

GoTN and Barefoot Academy of Governance. The BA will have to be

one of the key players in Public-Public Partnership initiative as

capacity & institution builder. The Department of Rural

Development, GoTN might or might not come into picture in this

process. The Public-Public Partnership initiative should entrust upon

the CBO the responsibilities of Operations and Maintenance of Ponds

in the village. The CBO should also be permitted to generate revenue

from the ponds through Fish culture. Chinna Kulam is such a huge




pond which has potential for Fish culture. Ideology alone is not going

to ensure the sustainability. The CBO needs some money for

Operations and maintenance of the ponds. The CBO will be

empowered to take up revival and restoration of other ponds in the

village in order to ensure Water security for all domestic purposes

including “Sanitation.”

Participation of children in Ogalur

School children of Ogalur, on 15th October 2015, participated in public procession for mobilizing the entire village community for reviving and restoring water bodies in their village. Nearly about 200 school children, 20 youth and school teachers participated in the procession. Ms Amuthaselvi, beloved teacher who has been teaching in Ogalur Welfare School since several years, flagged off the procession by waving the green flag. The procession went around all major streets covering about 400 house-holds. The slogans were raised in support of revival and restoration of water bodies in the village. At the end of the procession, school children planted saplings on the bank of Chinna Kulam (Pond).

The school children have resolved to mobilize resources for revival and restoration of water bodies in their village with the support from parents and teachers.

Expanding Horizons: Democratization of Public Water Bodies and Sanitation in Odhiyam village has been initiated

Unlike Ogalur, Odhiyam seems to be bit proactive thanks to the committed Village Panchayat President. Odhiyam has also been blessed with 12 public water ponds. There is a huge pond called "Sutha Kulam" which is still being used for drawing water for all domestic purposes. Barefoot Academy of Governance (BA), initiated interactions with different groups in Odhiyam village pertaining to regenerating community ownership of Public water bodies. The Village president response was overwhelming. The High School Management responded with commitment.

The Village Panchayat and the School Management expressed their willingness to collaborate with each other for revival and restoration of traditional water bodies, especially ponds, in the village. To make it more public, Panchayat and School management gave their consent to organize a procession with school children and youth. The procession was held on 29th October 2015. Panchayat President led the procession while teachers




were facilitating. The children addressed the public with slogans pertaining to 'revival and restoration of water bodies and total sanitation.'

At the end of end of the procession, the school children resolved to adopt a pond and work for it's revival and restoration. They chose "Sutha Kulam" (Pond) which is very close to their school. A team of student leaders has been formed for leading this process. The children have also resolved to place a Hundi at the school premise for mobilization of resources for the purpose of revival and restoration "Sutha Kulam."

The Odhiyam vanguard school team consists of Kalaiselvan, Ravi, Sakthivel (of 7th Standard), Gayatri (9th Standandrd), Pavitra (9th Standard), Kaavya (8th Standard) and Jayanthi (9th Standard). Mr Saravanan, Science teacher from same school, has volunteerd to coordinate the student’s voluntary initiative for revival and restoration of “Sutha Kulam”. This is part of institutionalizing the change process.

The Odhiyam Model with school children, for democratization of public water and sanitation, will also be replicated in Andhur village.

8. Challenges & Dilemmas

Should we take into account the extent of rain-fed agriculture in

every village? We had this question in our mind and resolved it with

the help of water experts. Yes, we had to, otherwise the exercise is

incomplete. The villages in Veppur block, except the villages close to Vellar

and Chinnar sub-basins, predominantly depend on rain-fed agriculture.

While preparing the water budgeting estimation, we needed to take into

account the area under rain-fed agriculture and crops cultivated under

rain-fed agriculture. The area under rain-fed (dry land) agriculture and the

area under irrigated (wet land) agriculture were shown separately. And

attempt was made to estimate, atleast roughly, the water requirement for

agriculture met directly by rain and moisture in the air, in order to get the

estimated water balance for a particular village.

While in the process, we included the following aspects into the whole

exercise.

Water needs for schools and anganwadis to be estimated and added

to the public institutions demand list.. Mid-day meal programme….




What could be the proportion of the extent of irrigation tank and the

extent of ayacut area. For example: A tank of 25 Hectares would

irrigate how many hectares of agricultural land?

Water requirements for housing construction in a village

What are the crops that get water from moisture from air

What are the water requirements for a person for sanitation alone

9. Concluding remarks

When we look with naked eyes at the outcome of water balance

estimates that we have prepared, we may not resist ourselves from raising

our eye-brows. The gap between the supply and demand looks huge. The

gap between the demand and supply will be reduced if we add the

estimated water requirements met/supplied by rain and moisture in the

air. But gap may not be reduced to a significant level. Even then the gap

between demand and supply might look very wide. The question that

arises is how then it could be possible for so much of land under

cultivation. One probable question that arises consequently is related to

over exploitation of ground water.




Annexure 2 of this part

Water Balance for Ogalur Village

- ,

Let us see the details of it

Village Profile -




Population -

Cattle population -

Sl.No.

.

Cattle population - Total-

1. Cow - 597

2. Buffalo - 23

3. Goat - 2040

4. Sheep - 172

5. Dog - 193




Total - 3025

Land classification -

Sl.No.

.

Type of Land -

Ha. Acre

1. Wet - 217.32 537.0085

2. Dry - 276.35 682.8746

3. Porambokki (Public

Land)

72.305 178.6692

4. Others - 0.34 0.8401

Total - 566.315 1399.3924

Water Bodies -

Sl.No.

.

Type of Water

Body -

Nos

1. Tank - 1 (Ayacut area in Ha. 333.17, Storage

capacity 79.1 Mcft which is equal to 21357 Lakh Litres) Source: IAMWARM Project,

WRD GoTN. 2. Pond - 9

Total – 10




The Current Cropping Pattern of the Village -

( )

. –

Sl.No.

Name of the Crop -

Extent in Ha.-

Extent in Acre-

1. Paddy - 105.725 261.25

2. Sugarcane - 30.305 74.885

3. Maize -

105.00 259.460

4. Ground nut -

0.20 0.4942

5. Teak wood - 1.035 2.5575

6. Coconut – 1.27 3.1382

7. Tomato - 0.02 0.049

8. Cotton - 55 135.9077

9. Mango - 0.17 0.42

10. Banana - 0.21 0.5189




11. Ladies Finger -

0.05 0.12

12. Tamarind – 0.01 0.0247

13. Bamboo -

Total 298.995 738.8315

Estimation of Water Supply -

Extent of the Village -

566 (Ha)

Annual Average Rainfall -

904 MM or 0.904 M

MM = , M

=

566 Ha x 0.904 x 10000 x 1000 = 51166.4 Lakh Litters

100000

Ground Water 10% - 5116.64 Lakh Litters (A)

Surface Water 20% -

10233.28 Lakh Litters (B)

Storage in the tank 60% -

0.904 x 0.6 x 1000 = 5424 Lakh Litters

Storage in Ponds 60% (9 Ponds) -

0.010 x 0.6 = 60 Lakh Litters

Storage in surface water bodies (Tank

and ponds)-

5484 (C)




(B-C) x 0.20 = 10233.28 – 5484 = 4749.28 4749.28 x 0.2 = 949.856 (D)

A + C + D =5116.64 + 5484 +949.856 = 11550.47 (E)

Total Water availability / supply for Ogalur

(for annum) -

( )

11550.47 Lakh Litters (E)

Supply from Vellar River (Not regular, not known also) The total storage capacity of Ogalur Big tank is 791 Lakh Cubic Feet. Or

21357 Lakh Litters. 791

(21357 ).

Water Requirement -

Domestic Needs (Per Annum) -

Population - 4735

For Human Population -

4735 x 70 x 365 = 1209.79 Lakh Litters 100000

Note: 70 litters per person per day (lpcd)

:

70

For Animal population -

3025 x 60 x 365 = 662.475 Lakh Litters 100000




Total Water need for all domestic

purposes -

1209.79 +662.475 = 1872.27 (F)

Water requirement for agriculture -

Sl.No.

/ .

Name of

the crop /

Extent /

Water Requirement /

1. Paddy -

105.72

Ha.

105.72 x 1.20 mm = 126.864 126.864 x 10000 x 1000 = 12686.4 Lakh

Litters 100000

2. Maze -

105 Ha. 105 x 0.50 mm = 52.5 52.5 x 10000 x 1000 = 5250 Lakh Litters 100000

3. Teak -

1.03 Ha. 1.03 x 0.25 = 0.2575 0.2575 x 10000 x 1000 = 25.75 Lakh Litters 100000

4. Ground nut

-

0.20 Ha. 0.20 x 0.60 = 0.12 0.12 x 10000 x 1000 = 12 Lakh Litters

100000

7. Coconut -

1.27 1.27 x 0.25 = 0.3175 0.3175 x 10000 x 1000 = 31.75 Lakh Litters 100000

8. Sugarcane

-

30.30 30.30 x 1.60 = 48.40 48.40 x 10000 x 1000 = 4848 Lakh Litters

100000




9. Cotton -

55 55 x 0.42 = 23.1

23.1 x 10000 x 1000 = 2310 Lakh Litters 100000

10. Banana -

0.21 Ha. 0.21 x 0.30 = 0.063 0.063 x 10000 x 1000 = 6.3 Lakh Litters

100000

11. Tomato -

0.02 0.02 x 0.50 = 0.01

0.01 x 10000 x 1000 = 1 Lakh Litters 100000

12. Mango -


100000

13. Tamarind -

0.01 Ha. 0.01 x 0.25 = 0.0025

0.999 x 10000 x 1000 = 0.25 Lakh Litters 100000

14. Ladies

finger -


100000

Water Requirment for

Agriculture (Annum) -

25175.75 Lakh Litters

Water Balance for Ogalur

Domestic Water Requirement -

1872.27 Lakh Litters (F)




Water Requirement for Agriculture -

25175.75 Lakh Litters (G)

The total annual water demand /

requirement for Ogalur village

(F + G)

1872.27 + 25175.75

= 27048.02 Lakh Litters (H)

The Annual Water Supply for Ogalur Village

11550. 47 Lakh Litters (E)

Water Balance for Ogalur (E – H) 11550.47 – 27048.02

Deficit by 15497.55 Lakh Litres

The Expected benefits of increasing water storage capacity in Ogalur tank: 1. Now not even 100 hectares are being irrigated. Storage capacity can be

increased by eliminating weeds and regulating sluices so that an additional 100 hectares can be irrigated.

2. Ogalur tank is a big one. Water storage for 6 months in the tank would enable fish culture and overall income of Rs 1 lakhs from which 50% could be granted to WUA of Ogalur for O & M of the sluices and field channels.

3. Ground water recharge could take place ensuring sufficient water in irrigation wells and drinking water wells.

4. Institutional arrangements have to be strengthened in Ogalur for Water management.




Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Audit in Veppur and

Outcomes

Agri.Context

Based on our Perspective plan work for Veppur block earlier and a

study carried out by Mr. Pranav, student intern, in Jan.2015 (facilitated by

Barefoot Academy) and also extensive interactions with farmers during the

months of Feb and Mar.2015 and whenever necessary there after, we could

summarise the agri.context in Veppur block as follows:

Cropping Pattern

• Majorly dry, rainfed agriculture –Famers are into cultivation of

Bt.Cotton (35% of cropped area-ca) and Industrial Maize (41% of

ca)/ Block G Return Fasli,2011-12

• Irrigated tract -Northern part, where Vellar and Chinnar rivers flow

& small patch-central part of the block-into Paddy, Sugar Cane,

Turmeric, Vegetables etc

Land Holding & SC farmers (Source: District HDR 2014)

• About 78% of cultivators are Marginal farmers, <2.5 acres

• 15.28%, small farmers- upto 5 acres

• 6.7%, medium farmers- upto 10 acres

• Only 0.02%, Large farmers, >10 acres

• About 98% of SC farmers own <5 acres, of which 88% own < 2.5

acres

Agricultural economy

• Local money lenders cum agents control the agri economy. They are

into selling of agricultural inputs and buy back produce. No proper




credit system with government involvement . This makes farmers to

get trapped in vicious cycle of debt.

• Very little processing and value addition happen in Veppur block.

Produce is directly sold to Market. Industrial maize is sold to poultry

industry in Namakkal and other areas and Bt. Cotton is sold to cotton

industry in Tiruppur and other areas.

Sustainable interventions - Exploring Possibilities

After extensively studying the agriculture context and the attendant

livelihoods scenario in Veppur Block, Veppur Block Anchor has visited

many successful agriculture based livelihood initiatives in Tamil Nadu and

other states. The following are the list of places visited and people with

whom the BA interacted with.

• Organic Cotton:

1. Ethicus (Appachi cottons)-Pollachi (near Coimbatore), Handpost

(near Mysore), Athur units-exploring the whole chain of seed to

fabric. Interacted with farmers, its staff, visited their processing and

procurement centres and interacted with its MD Mr. Mani

Chinnaswamy.

Also travelled to Dharwad (Karnataka) along with him to explore the

possibility of introducing Coloured cotton in Veppur block.

2. Tula - An initiative Mr. Anantu of Organic Farmers Market (OFM)

and Safe Food Alliance (SFA), which tries to cover the whole chain of

cotton from `field to fabric’. It is small in scale but involving

Vidharba farmers, handlooms, natural dyes etc. In terms of suitability

it has possibilities for replication in Veppur as it is not only a eco-

friendly alternative but is also based on an ethical business model for

organic cotton farming.

• Organic Millets: Sittilingi Tribal Farming Initiative – Dharmapuri

District, Tamil Nadu, which is part of Tribal Health Initiative (THI) a

very well known Ngo working amongst rribals of the Kalrayan Hills




and who have initiated a comprehensive and intensive development

model in the area, which has become a model for the whole country.

• The unique part of the initative is that it is a collective of 200 organic

farmers who decide on what crop to be cultivated in each season and

what price to be fixed for their produce. Governance structure is a

model to be followed (It has been incorporated as a producer

company recently). Interacted with tribal farmers, its President and

secretary and its main coordinator Mr. Manjunath.

• Bamboo: AS bamboo visibly seems to be growing well in Veppur

block, we thought of exploring livelihood possibilities related to this.

Visited Co-op Forest and bamboo workshop of Piyush, Dharmapuri

dist. to get an idea of how availability of bamboo can be turned into a

business.

• Marketing avenues: Organic Farmers Market (OFM) Anantu,

Retstore

• We have also interacted with Mr. Ramasubramanian of Samanvaya

who is the main anchor of Sustainable Livelihood Institute of

Auroville to explore successful agri related business models. His

suggestions were useful.

Organic Cotton-Ethicus

• Ethicus Eco-logic project-helps farmers to slowly move from

inorganic to organic in 3-5 years

• Highlights: Contract farming-ensures MSP and pay market price (if

it’s higher than MSP)/ Fair Trade-Electronic weighment, instant

payment

Organic Cotton-Tula

• This initiative deals with small number of people involved in cotton

value chain- 5000Kg-175-200 days/ 25lakhs investment




• Farming (15ppl, 30 Acres), ginning (1-2 ppl/Machanised), spinning

(40-50ppl), dyeing (5ppl), weaving (10ppl), stiching (5ppl)/ Approx.

Rs.150-200/day/ person

• Marketing garments-5000 pieces seems to be an issue

Organic Millets-TFI/ SOFA

• Involve 600 acres, 200 farmers, 21 villages, 2 Panchayats in Sittilingi,

Dharmapuri district.

• Production by men, processing and value addition by women- both

into groups/ nearly in every village

• Marketing processed Red rice, Ragi, Foxtail, Bajra, Little millet,

Bengal gram, Balck gram, Horse gram ground nut, Coconut, Coriander

and Turmeric

• Sittilingi Organic Farmers Association has become Producer

company for independent functioning now and atleast 100 more

farmers are expected join the fold.

Two day Conference on Organic Farming

After having visited the above said initiatives, we had a

brainstorming meetings in Chennai and also in Veppur. We have also

widely interacted with farmers across Veppur block and planned to

organise a two day conference on Organic Farming. The idea was to launch

a major change initiative with the objectives of

‘Reclaiming Soil, Reclaiming Self-reliance, Reclaiming Dignity

and Strengthening Sustainable Livelihood’

by introducing successful initiatives in terms of organic farming so that

farmers of Veppur block will think of coming out of Bt. Cotton and Maize

trap! Slowly they would realise the importance of self-reliance, protecting

the soil health and earn a dignifed livelihood. As per the plan the

conference was organised on 30Apr & 1May 2015. Highlights of the

conference are given below.




The conference was well attended and participation was good.

Mobilisation of farmers and SHG members were done through direct

meetings, distribution of pamphlets and pasting posters across the

block. Panchayat wise list of participants is as follows

S.No Panchayat No. of

Participants

1 Olaipadi 63

2 Kulathur (out of Veppur block) 10

3 Keezhapuliyur 14

4 Kizhumathur 06

5 Kovilpalayam (out of Veppur

block)

02

6 Thungapuram 02

7 Sittali 07

8 Nannai 04

9 Paravai 04

10 Ogalur 08

11 Ezhumur 06

12 Varagur 01

13 Vayalapadi 03

14 Aandikurumbalur 05

15 Sirumathur 02

16 Perali 02

17 Anukkur (out of Veppur block) 02




18 Melapuliyur 01

19 Thozhudur (out of Veppur block) 01

20 Agaram Sigur 03

21 Andhur 03

22 Kizhumathur (Thenur +

Keezhakudikadu)

03

23 Vashishtapuram 01

24 Kunnam 01

25 Perambalur 05

26 Athiyur 01

27 Odhiyam 01

28 Vadakkalur 01

29 Kolapadi 02

30 Pudhu Velur (outside Veppur

block)

01

31 Thiruthalaiyur (outside Veppur

block)

01

32 Nattarmangalam (outside Veppur

block)

01

TOTAL 167

Sub-Collector, Perambalur Mr. P. Madhusudhan Reddy IAS

inauguarated the conference. Mr. N. Krishnakumar, Chairman,

Veppur Block and Ms. P. Sudha Devi, District Project Manager, Pudhu

Vazhvu project have also participated. Due to prior commitments,




officials from agriculture department and KVK could not participate

in the event.

Mr. Mani Chinnasamy, MD-Ethicus, Mr. Anantu, Organic Farmers

Market and Safe Food Alliance, Mr. Manjunath of Tribal Farming

Initiative, Mr. Ramasubramanian of Samanvaya and Sustainable

Livelihood Institute and Mr. Pon. Senthilkumar, Editor in-Charge of

Pasumai Vikatan (a leading Tamil fortnightly on organic farming and

environment) have participated from outside to talk about their

experiences. Dr. V. Suresh, Founder Trustee and Director gave

introductory speech.

Mr. Arumugam, Elampalur, Mr. Elayaraja, Melapuliyur, Mr.

Ramachandran, Anukkur, Mr. Ramakrishnan, Sengunam who are

leading Organic farmers in Perambalur have also participated and

spoke at length.

The speakers gave a detailed overview of possibilities of organic

farming based livelihood initiatives. The speeches covered a wide

range of topics including why one should opt for organic farming,

production techniques, how to work as a collective, governing

structure, importance of processing and value addition, marketing

possibilities etc.

‘Nalla Uzhavargal (Good Farmers)’, a small booklet on leading

organic farmers in Perambalur district was released by the Sub-

Collector during inaguration.

The complete 2 day conference was video documented and to be

edited for a shorter version.

BA proposed to take forward the work of organising farmers into a

collective which will strive to realise the objectives mentioned

earlier. In the end of second day, 18 farmers came forward to

experiment the change initiative.

Experimenting the Change : Follow-ups after conference




Following the conference, a wide variety of works were done. We are

just highlighting the major ones here.

A meeting with farmers who volunteered for the initiative was

organised within 10 days. We discussed on how we can collectively

work towards realising the objectives we set for ourselves.

A farm training was organised for preparation of Organic inputs in

the field of Mr. Arumugam, Elambalur.

Exposure visit to Sittilingi Tribal Farming initiative was organised.

Veppur block Farmers interacted with the coordinators, President 7

Secretary and other tribal farmers. Our farmers were really energised

after seeing the collective of 200 farmers leading the change.

Follow up meeting was done in two days time in Veppur. The

discussion was around sharing the learnings from Sittilingi and how

can we work together.

Following the meetings after conference, farmers decided to try

millets to start with. Very few takers for Organic cotton as it is a cash

crop and risk is high and also the Ethicus model needed more

number of farmers.

Once we decided that the main focus of the group would be millets,

we have invited other experts in the field to Veppur to interact with

our farmers. A team from ‘Siruthaniya Magathuva Maiyam (Centre of

Excellence in Millets), a GoTN initiative travelled from

Tiruvannamalai to Veppur to interact with our farmers on 28th

Jul.2015. This team consisted of Dr. Jayachandran, HoD, Dr.

Nirmalakumari and Dr. Sivagami. They talked on production

techniques and suitable millets for Veppur area. Dr. Nirmalakumari’s

speech was very much useful. They proposed to work with BA to

train farmers on post production techniques and offered 35kg of

Varagu seeds.




Mr. Karthikeyan, a farmer from Thiruvannamalai district who have

expertise in Thinai and organic farming interacted with our farmers

on 27th Jul.2015

BA block anchor met Dr. Mani of Periyakozhapalur in Tiruvannamalai

district, who have expertise in ‘Varagu’ to learn important

techniques in terms of Varagu cultivation.

BA field staffs have participated in number of meetings on organic

farming, along with farmers in and around Perambalur. They have

also shared the experiment that was going on. A field staff has been

sent for a 7 day intensive training on Zero budget farming given by

Mr. Subhash Palekar in Palladam between 10th and 17th Dec.2015.

Two of BA members visited Timbaktu Colletive, Andhra Pradesh to

participate in a two day conference which focused on best practices

across India, in terms of organic farming and evolving co-operatives.

These initiatives have influenced 13 farmers from 6 panchayats ( 4

in Veppur and 2 in other blocks. Some farmers opted out from

original list of 18 volunteers and some new farmers have joined) as

of Dec.2015 to intensively work with us. These farmers have sown

atleast 10 crops extensively Varagu and other millets like Thinai,

Kudiraivali, Samai, Nattukkambu, Irungu Solam and also other

crops like Kadalai, Thuvarai, Mappillai samba (local paddy

variety) and Vegetables. The total acreage would be roughly about

20acres.

Though the rains were delayed for Aadi (August-September) pattam

and there were heavy rains in November, the crops, especially millets

were not affected as was the case in Bt.Cotton and Maize.

Way Forward

So far we have been able mobilise farmers and facilitate the process

without any major hurdles. We foresee the following broad

tasks/commitments ahead of us




Evolving an institutional arrangement for the collective

Imbibing ideology and enhancing skills whenever necessary

Arrangements for processing and value addition

Self consumption and reaching out to others (Marketing Linkage)

Need based association with govt. Institutions

Need based studies

Documentation & Dissemination

We can categorise and summarise the tasks as follows

Institutional arrangement

Evolving constitution/ MoU/ Framework for functioning

Bring in democracy and ownership-Electing representatives

Main agenda is to promote a self Sustainable model

Imbibing ideology & Enhancing skills

Training and workshops-

o Zero budget farming & other Sustainable agri. Practices

o Possibilities in Seed Production

o Possibilities in Processing and Value addition

o Possibilities in Marketing

o Institution building

Exposure Visits to Deccan Development Society, Timbatktu Collective

, OFM, processing units etc.




Processing & Value addition

Setting up a processing unit-Explore possibilities for soft loans/

grants etc.

Intensive training (including from govt. institutions)

Involving women

Self Consumption & Marketing

Promoting self consumption and local consumption

Reaching out to retails in small towns and cities

Work on various models

Association with govt. agencies

Need based association interms of

o Production, processing and value addition technology

o Soft loans to set up processing and value addition units

o Promotion of PuP (Public-Public Partnership)

Need based studies

Soil health, Water context etc.

Pests, birds and Agriculture

Impacts of Chemical Intensive farming

Agri. economy

Documentation & Dissemination

Documenting on

o Farmers and Farms




o Process

o Trainings and Workshops

Dissemination

o FB Page o Writing articles o Publication of small booklets etc. o Organic Mela etc.

The broad commitments mentioned above are collective

commitment and we hope that Barefoot Academy along with farmers with

the help of agencies like UNDP, government agencies, other support

institutions and Press, we would realise the objectives we set for ourselves.

It will take time. But surely, we are willing to go forward in this regard.




Deliverable 3: Annexure 3

Campaign on Open Defecation

Ann. 3 A: `Open Defecation Free Campaign in Muniguda: The

Sanitation Challenge

Sanitation Facilities

The tribal communities in Muniguda are not used to separate toilet

systems. The challenge is not merely changing mind sets and practices but

also linked to availability of water as against the availability of forest areas.

It’s paradoxical that unlike caste societies, sanitation practices in

tribal areas are noticeably sensitive to open defecation or the visible open

defecation. By and large tribal communities are very particular to maintain

their surroundings in a clean and hygienic manner. The campaign in

Muniguda which included a major sanitation thrust however had to

address the issue of availability and access to water also.

The following issues list the prevalence of modern toilet systems in

the Block.

Total toilet available in Muniguda Block with flush/pour water

system: 16.69%

Toilet available with Slab: 0.95%

Without Slab: 0.43%

Public latrine : 1.14%

Open defecation : 92.8%

Both field observations as also discussions with the people, especially

women and children, indicated that those are having toilet are also not

using the toilet. The question “why” this was so as also “how” to change the




situation was taken up for discussion in the villages and discussed with the

villagers.

What are the problems in open defecation? Why they are not using

the toilet? Causes of child malnutrition? Some person answered that they

accepted open defecation as it is a time old practice and they didn’t know

differently. It was also not unusual for some urban-exposed tribal youth to

cheekily say that they practiced open defecation as a hobby! Irrespective of

the reverence or irreverence on the replies, each one was taken up for

detailed discussion in the community.

After rounds of discussion the villagers agreed to construct and use

of toilet. The thrust of the BA team’s effort was on use of toilet rather

than construction. In the mean time govt. declared monetary support for

toilet construction under “Swachha Bharat Mission”.

As on date, the following villages have come forward to initiate a

more concentrated programme to ensure `Open Defecation Free’ (ODF)

villages in their areas. Not just the elders, but the children and youth are

being mobilised for this purpose. As highlighted previously, the key thrust

is not merely to ensure construction, but to ensure regular and daily use.

Plan: Toilet construction to be completed and used in 12 villages. Those

are

Sl

No.

Name of the

Villages Name of the G.P

1 Balijodi Ranipinda

2 Bongana Jagadalpur

3 Dakdumuri Sivapadar

4 Sunakhunti Ranipinda

5 Bandhuguda Sivapadar

6 Dambeshi Sivapadar




7 Dhepaguda Sivapadar

8 Kantrabali Kumudabali

9 Kurmajodi Kumudabali

10 Sana Bankili Telangapadar

11 Ankula Padar Telangapadar

12 Kandha Madakhal Agulo

The campaign will be ongoing, by continuously conducting PLA

meeting to address malnutrition and child illness in every villages as part of

the method to spread the sue of toilets and latrines.

The Open Defecation Free Campaign in Muniguda: The Way forward

The following strategy is in place to address the sanitation and

hygiene issues, evolved after several trial and error methods.

Enable people to solve the Sanitation and Hygiene issues Sl

No.

Activity


Strategy

ahead

1 Conduct

“Kutumba”

meeting on

sanitation and

Hygiene.

Conduct

Capacity

Building

programme of

VLCAs on

CLTS.

Status audit

completed in all 46

villages.

Conducted 5 rounds

meetings in every

Village with the

involvement of VLCA.

IHL construction

started in 22 villages.

Only 3

villages’ toilet

construction is

completed.

Planning

continuous

training

programmes

and visits to

successful

villages.




2 Conduct

“Sanitation

Yatra” in three

direction of

the Block with

the

involvement

VLCA, SHG

members,

Some BLCAs

and youth club

members etc.

All the 138 nos VLCA,

32 nos BLCA, youths

and more than 300

mothers involved in

the 3 campaigns.

Motivate the

SHG members

to construct

the IHL

With the

emergence

of many

aware and

politically

conscious

youth the

thrust will

be to utilise

their

numbers

and

eagerness to

bring abour

ODF

villages.

3 Progress

review cum

training on

CLTS with

VLCAs/BLCAs

and some

selected

members from

Kutumba.

3 nos meeting

completed.

To be

undertaken

in a more

intensive

manner in

the coming

year.

4 Plan for

construction

of IHL with the

financial

support of

SHG.

The govt. staff committed to construct the

IHL those are not got the assistance from

govt... So it creates problem for ODF village.

In later stage the Tata trust personnel comes

and committed to construct IHL for every

HH. So the people agree with them. Now they

started in 5 villages. Other are started with




govt. support.

5 Cleaning of

drinking water

drawal point

in all 46

villages.

95 nos tube well

points cleaned in 35

villages.

All the house hold

got safe drinking

water.

People are

getting safe and

hygienic

drinking water.

The success

of provision

of safe

water is a

positive

social

capital

which will

require to

be built

upon. This

shall be the

thrust in the

next phase.

6 Counselled in

the Kutumba

meeting on

hand washing

practices by

the VLCAs.

It is continued and in

every AWC in our

programme area.

Now the

practice of

hand wash

after defecation

and before

feeding will be

increased

gradually.

Slowly the

hand

washing

importance

is becoming

more

noticeably

seen.

Prolonged

campaign is

necessary to

overcome

old cultural




practices.

Ann. 3 B: Sanitation Challenge in Veppur

As discussed in previous reports, the sanitation issue is a keyissue in Veppur, being a dry plains block, with poor supply of water. The BA team had focsused on a 9 Panchayats (having3-4 revenue villages) which had volunteered to initiate a sanitation security programme. As detailed in earlier report, there were many initiatives like public meetings, door-door campaigns, discussion with youth avilable, women, trainings to school children in all 9 Panchayats, were rolled out for many months. There were a number of structural challenges. Most of the youth and working age population migrated for more than 7-8 months returning only during monsoon and cultivation seasons. They were well suited to be the carriers of sanitation awareness as they were exposed to better and improved sanitation practices in the urban areas where they had migrated for work. However their absence for long periods of time was a major difficulty and the times they returned was too short to mobilise them to undertake a sustained and intensive campaign. Nevertheless, the BA’s thrust was with children, especially school children and teachers. This work met with much more positive response. This work is slow, but ongoing. Until a particular tipping point is reached the progress in this activity is difficult to perceive but it’s important to keep persevering. The district administration has recognised BA’s interventions and has on several occasions invited BA staff to discuss the expansion of the government programme. Although the state thrust is on construction of toilets and much less on mind set changes, the thrust of BA’s work has made them realise that eventually their efforts will succeed only if people accept the sanitation practices as part of a cultural value. In the previous report itself we had discussed some of the key issues and challenges confronted when building up the sanitation programme in Veppur. Very intensive work was undertaken in a few villages which offers an insight to the type of challenges prevailing in making people accept better sanitation practices. Its taken the investment of huge amounts of effort, time and human resources to make people realise that sanitation practices are not mere fetishes but something which has major impact on




their health, health budgets and lives. We present below one such experience which can be seen as illustrative of other villages too. Ensure Water Security for Ensuring Sanitation Security

Ogalur is a village situated in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, South India. Though blessed with a huge tank and 9 ponds, the village has been struggling with acute water shortage problem. Barefoot Academy of Governance (BA) has been working in this village since August 2014 and began its interventions with campaign for ‘Total Sanitation.’ Despite several efforts, we were not able to achieve desirable indicators for ‘Total Sanitation’ in Ogalur, especially where dalit families live. There is a school situated in dalit hamlet which has toilet facility but no water supply, hence, children were not able to use toilet. When contacted the representatives of local self governance (Panchayat), we found that there was shortage of water supply. The sources were drying up. We also found the house-holds who had toilet facility but not using it because of shortage of water. When a family gets less water, the priority for allocation of water for toilet is nowhere. Same thing happens when a Panchayat supplies water. When there is shortage of water, the panchayat or municipality doesn’t take into account the water supply for sanitation, the priority is given only for drinking, cooking and bathing. The water for Toilet and hygiene doesn’t appear anywhere. The WASH is an extremely marginalized phenomenon. Unless there is a conscious effort WASH gets washed out, especially in developing countries. Water security, therefore, holds the key for promoting WASH habits in a village or slum.

We, then, started looking at the water sources in Ogalur. The village has a huge traditional irrigation tank with storage capacity of 79.1 Mcft (21357 lakh litres) and there are 9 ponds with combined storage capacity of 80 lakh litres. Neither the traditional irrigation tank nor the village ponds are in a position to store water as they are encroached by weed plants which pollute water. Tamil Nadu is one of the states where ground water is being mined extensively and has already reached the ‘danger sign.’ There are 79,524 habitations and 12524 Village Panchayats in Tamil Nadu. At an average 3 ponds per each habitation, it is estimated that there are about 2.37 lakh village ponds (including Ooranies) in Tamil Nadu but their condition is similar to that of village ponds in Ogalur. These ponds, once were primary source of drinking water supply for all domestic purposes, are now in the state of disrepair. Their storage capacity has drastically been reduced by siltation, unscrupulous human behaviour and




growth of weed plants. Each pond on an average has the storage capacity of between 7 - 9 lakh litres (Source: Dhan Foundation). There is a pressing need to ‘Reclaim Ponds.’ The revival and restoration of Ponds / Ooranies ensures water security for the entire village by raising ground water levels.

BA staff with local youth have dedicated themselves to ensure water security in order to ensure “Total Sanitation” in Ogalur village.

Note: For a more detailed descriptin of the campaign for sanitation security

in Veppur Block please see the report submitted earlier.

3 and 4 quarters progress report april to december, 2015...the vaitarna, the surya, the wagh and the...

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