Pune Update: Jala Jana Jodo Abhiyaan in Maharashtra. 24th June 2013. Jal Biradari, Maharashtra and Symbiosis College of arts and commerce, (senapati bapat Road,Pune)“Vruksha-Nadi-Neer-naari-Sanmaan” Sammelan Date and Venue -24 June 2013, 11 am to 5.30 pm.A.V.Hall, Symbiosis College of arts and commerce college,(Senapati Bapat Road ) Pune Over the last five months, through activities initiated and inspired by Jal Biradari,Maharastra,Pune Division., there have been several activities initiated by the stakeholders in the dying Rivers, Maanganga and the Agrani River

basins. The Sammelan was designed to bring about a get –together for free expression of the aspirations of the stake-holders – some of whose work is not known to each other.

The purpose was to honor (sanmaan) these efforts which are variously related to tree conservation, women’s activism in river rejuvenation, theory to practice to proved technologies shared regarding all aspects of water conservation, water harvesting/recharging and cleaning polluted rivers and nallhas.,women’s have right’s on paper but it could not execute in the field.we have to respect her natural right and always work in hand in the field to get sustainable results.Hence the Title” Vruksha-Nadi-Neera-Nari Sammelan.” Of course the scope of activities represented often went beyond these main themes which were expressed as the issues to share upon.

 Presentations

Under the overall guidance of Dr. Rajendrasinghji (Founder president, Jal Biradari) and the complete support by Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, offered through Principal Dr Hrishikesh Soman and the Professors

Mrs.Swati Dikshit and Mrs.manjushri Sharma and enthusiastic student and ex-student volunteers, the sammelan begans…

1) Low cast and effective ferrocreck cement bandhara… a presentation of innovating ferrocrete techniques in creating low cost high efficiency water-barriers/dams which can be used under certain geo-cultural and local conditions – these are low cost , low weight, and require very little time to implement. The presentation was by Pushyamitra and Dr Balkrishna Diwekar and Sonali Patil of Ferrocrete Society of India. This set the theme of ‘Karke Dikhao!’ – Do and then Show as the central validating theme for the rest of the presentations. An article ‘Karke Dikhao’ by Dr Rajendrasingh was circulated to all…

 2) Dr.Shrinvas Vadagbalkar, Seniour Geologist of India,

(Principal, Dayanand College, Solapur)This was followed by an excellent and absorbing study of the Maanganga River and Agrani River Geology – regarding the study needed to make sure the water-harvesting and storage structures are located and designed properly. Presented by. Dr Shrinivas Wadagbalkar (Principal, Dayanand College, Solapur)t it made all aware of the utmost and urgent importance of geological study of all sites of activity which is directed towards river rejuvenation of Maanganga and Agrani… so that

errors are not made in actual output from the interventions created, be they lose-boulder dams, plantations, diversion-dams or regular storage reservoirs.

 Vinod Jain gave an informative and passionate presentation on the central and state government’s laws regarding tree protection and the struggle to have the laws implemented by the local government authorities. The illustrated principle in the context of river restoration of Maanganga and Agrani rivers was – that we must identify all activists who are struggling in isolation and create the network and support structures to mold all in the river basin into a team. 3)Shri Kher,Shri Mali-

The existing NGOs and activist teams of Devrai(Maval) Shri Kher and Shri Mali of Maanganga-Nadi-payee Parikrama (sangola,dist-solapur)presented a scale of activity which was amazing and their years of effort and knowledge must be respected during any all-inclusive plan and activity implemented for

rejuvenation of the two rivers Maanganga and Agrani. Their study of local conditions has developed over years of effort and Devrai in particular has created the structures for water harvesting and storage in very large numbers… more so by enhancing the existing storage reservoirs by facilitating and undertaking deepening of the reservoirs when and where needed. The geo-cultural, botanical and social surveys made by Manganga Parikrama team and their continued efforts to enrich the data and observations and suggested solutions was appreciated. Their inputs, in furthering plans on the two river basins and water bodies therein, will be ensured. 

4)Mrs.kavita Mhetre (Mhaswad,Dist,Satara) continuous Work is important.The Tanishq group from Mhaswad led by Smt. Kavita Mhetre ( and the Dnyana Wardhini College, Gondavale represented by Dr.Vaishali Kulkarni(Gondavale,Dist-Satara) gave an inspiring report on the activism for river bank and river bed cleaning and how the women of the region have inspired ordinary citizens to gather together for river cleaning and such activities one hour every day… while some busy citizens do offer an hour or two a week. The cleaning effect of this on river bed, river bank region and nalas was presented… this is significant in ensuring an eventual “nadi-sansad”… for where the women have taken responsibility of activism the families have got involved and the Jal Biradari Rajasthan model is based on having each family represented by one adult at least in the “Grama Sabha” to

make decisions about water use and water recharging – as community decisions. These women who have involved community have done a wonderful job. Identifying and supporting such groups would be further needed in the task before us of rejuvenating the two rivers. 

5)Mahendra Ghagre of Harit Mitra Parivaar,PuneHe explained the most basic aspects of his own campaign of distributing crores of seeds, seedlings and planting and having planted millions of trees through his initiative in alliance with people and the government. The fact of such individuals being present as well as the fact that the DFO Sangli has committed a large budget to the greening of Maanganga Origins Mountain and plateau tops, there is reason to believe a massive tree plantation drive could be successfully undertaken. 5)Pasha Patel,Latur ( Ex-MLC and Member of Central Govt. Committee of Agro produce Price and stratageis,Delhi),explained the sad state of affairs in the vested interests having control over pricing of agriculture produce and the procurement of agri. produce from foreign markets leading to crisis in the personal economics of the farmer and how these were issues if not addressed now would lead to widespread disenchantment and turmoil threatening the stability of our very fabric of society. How local peoples are important to make

sustainable efforts for water conservation..he explained unite work of sugar factory, villagers and funds from MLA and Member of Parliament can make change..he assured that, he will support for “River Policy “draft made Team Jal Biradari and it will brought in both houses of Maharashtra,ie.Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.. 

Sunil Joshi, Coordinator Jal Biradari Maharashtra guided the Sammelan through its paces with appropriate explanations of how all the diverse topics hold together as one within the effort to rejuvenate Maanganga and Agrani Rivers..with the help from Govt. and and nadi premi,this task it will becomes easier, he explained..  The special of special officer Mr. Sriram Nanal for river rejuvenation of Maanganga River as appointed by Collector of Satara District was an encouragement to all as he brings with him the entire resources of the district administration which as per his mandate he has already alerted and mobilized for a massive effort towards river rejuvenation. The efforts of citizens and institutions and NGOs will complement this government work. His inputs from the government side which are very important in understanding one side of the point of view on solutions to the problem of drying up of the two rivers – will be continuously sought.

 The team of Narendra Chugh and Raju Gandhi, ably supported by Shamalatai Desai and Dr Vadakbalkar discussed the issues of the day and Vinod

Bodhankar compiled the summary of which direction this movement of different individuals and institutions, government and NGOs seems to be progressing on the whole.. His five minute review of this included 11 points (see below) on which we all need to act… these were not necessarily all the points but a beginning towards an integrated vision coming out of the Sammelan. These are draft points open to modification and correction and not any final document yet.

 The Sammelan concluded with the guidance from Dr Rajendrasingh which was primarily expressing happiness that the different threads of activism and activities, citizens’ institutional, NGO and Industry and Government were in dialogue here and were all passionate and committed and with the same aim coming from the heart. He said that the activities will create dynamic overviews which will guide the movement and at this stage no formula or list can be comprehensive but can be a guideline which helps us to define what we may need from the district and division administrations in the regions of the two rivers Agrani and Maanganga.

 Additiona;l Divisional Commissioner Indrajit Deshmukh had earlier given an inspiring talk on how we must act now or it will soon be too late.

Discussions with Govt. Pune Divisional Commissioner Shri Prabhakar Deshmukh At the end of Dr Rajendrasinghji’s talk the Pune Divisional Commissioner Shri Prabhakar Deshmukh gave a visit which quickly became an informal round-table between core members of the Maanganga and Agrani combined river rejuvenation movement – and the several requirements in the list were read out to him and explained and he agreed with all as follows: 

1. A co-ordination committee between the three districts Satara-Sangli-Solapur through which districts the two rivers Maanganga and Agrani flow shall be constituted with Shri Indrajit Deshmukh(Deputy Commissioner, Development) on special deputation there to facilitate the whole integration of efforts from all govt and no-govt stakeholders of the region- to ensure integrated planning and implementation,

especially in Maanganga rejuvenation project as that river goes through all three districts.

2. As the collector of Satara Shri Ram swami has been passionately involved and has appointed a special office Shri Shriram nanal to co-ordinate river rejuvenation efforts in the state – similar officers will be appointed in the other two districts of Sangli and Solapur.

3. All citizens’ efforts will be reported to the officers like Shri Nanal who will guide the co-ordination to ensure synergy and effectiveness.

4. Organizations like Tanishq, Devrai, Maanganga Parikrama Team and youth groups, self help groups, and college groups like Dnyanawardhini will be identified exhaustively in the three districts and a networking accomplished by informing them of all that happens during the movement to rejuvenate the two rivers.

5. At this juncture Mr. Deshmukh added there is a need to visit each village with a 3 member team (2 technically describing and answering all questions about how the rivers will be rejuvenated and 1 person in a motivator’s role) and to draw up a schedule for the villages of the basin.

6. Dr Rejendrasinghji has insisted that the core members from government and representing different stakeholder groups should visit Rajasthan at the earliest and that only that would give a comprehensive idea of river rejuvenation overviews and strategies. Mr. Nanal mentioned that Collector Satara and himself would go there at the earliest.

7. That a geo-hydrological survey should be conducted of the entire region and that spot surveys of project and intervention sites be made to the depth of finding and mapping rock formations up to 30 feet depth or more as needed. Dr Wadakbalkar’s expertise and knowledge and experience will be invaluable here and his role in overall planning was accepted by Div Comm. Mr. Deshmukh.

8. When handed over the recently published book ‘Green Bridge’ which presents a successful bio-remediation of a river Ahar in Udaypur (Rajasthan) by Green-Surgeon Sandeep Joshi,Pune and Team he agreed to take a look at the technology and there is a technology session for two hours on 27th at Yashada where Div Comm has called in PCMC Comissioner Dr Shrikar Pardeshi to consider the Chikhli Nala bio-remediation and rejuvenation project and to thus take a look at the entire model of bio-remediation as an important part of a decentralized indigenous-technology low cost strategy to clean the pollution in our nalas and rivers.

9. The consideration of the Bidal Diversion Dam as one of the immediate project sites under guidance of Dr Wadakbalkar who had studied the local-ecological and geological conditions there has been accepted in principle. We will have to provide the scheduling and facilitate the quick commencement of this effort as earlier two visits to Bidal Diversion Dam have created enthusiasm in the young Sarpanch and a team of youngsters to do water harvesting work from maatha to paaytha near the Bidal Bandhara… on two adjacent hills.. to augment the input of water into the diversion-dam water storage sub-surface volume.

10. It was generally agreed that tree plantation scope for entire two basins must be decided, defined in terms of numbers locations and types of plants and strategy to keep them alive once they are planted. The MNREGA scheme of appointing for payment a single villager per 200 trees to look after their survival after planting will be inducted in this work according to the Div Commissioner.

11. There is an agreement that rainwater harvesting is an activity which can be taken up by every stakeholder in the basin and must be planned and scheduled and facilitated. And to avoid removal of sand under the guise of removing silt from the river beds. That such removal must be decided after much more expert study than done today.

12. There was also a discussion on the establishment of a tradition of an annual review of entire Krishna River and its tributaries and every small stream… that this could be around some boat expedition undertaken for Krishna maai Jana-Jodo Abhiyaan and that it would be an opportunity to make larger sammelans like today to strategise for the coming year and to continue the activities round the year till the next annual review around the Krishnamaai Jana-Jodo Expedition/Sammelan takes place.

13)Scope for CSR activity.-Mahindra and Mahindra,Mumbai (tractor Division)HRD officer Mrs.Suvrata Gharge discussed with Dr.Rajeendrasinghi in detail and going to make total development action plan and present in front of Team jal Biradari and Div.Commisioner,Pune.

On broad outlines there was an agreement to carry on activities in convergence between govt and non-govt stakeholders of the two river basins. The Sammelan was a success in as much as it showed the stakeholders present that they are all working with sincerity and more urgency and purpose than before and that the sammelan was about undertaking micro and macro project responsibilities and not just a discussion.--------------------------------------------    

Summary by Vinod Bodhankar, Adhyaksha, Jalbiradari Pune District 0985023006 and supported by team Jal Biradari,Maharashtra,Pune Division along with Mrs.Swati Dixit,Manjushree Sharma,(Dept of Enviroment,Symbiosis college of arts and commerce ,Pune)with the help of Shaymlai Desai,Neelam jagdale and Shabnam Poonavala,Meera Bondre,Pune.(Members, Lakaki lake protection committee)