www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Water water everywhere

Font Size

Prachi Mujumdar

Posted: Jun 08, 2009 at 0310 hrs IST

Gram Gaurav Prathisthan, an NGO in Naigaon region, strives for equitable distribution of water and sustainable development in rural areas of the state

A number of government and non-government organisations have taken up the cause of rural development and water issues in rural areas, however, not all were able to solve the problems, because of several reasons. But the winner is not, who succeeds but one who tries relentlessly to solve the problem. Gram Gaurav Pratisthan (GGP), an NGO, is one such organisation that has been championing for the cause of equitable distribution of water and rural development since when it has been established in 1974.

Founded by late Vilasrao Salunkhe in Naigaon region of Purandar district, the organisation aims to achieve sustainable rural development. To meet its goal, it led to a movement, 'Pani Panchayat' in the rural areas. The movement aims at enabling equitable distribution of water to people in the village through sustainable development of the watershed. It has also developed holistic farming system through the use of organic farming. Some of the successful projects of The GGP are the Naigaon model and the Ponde model. In the Naigaon model protective irrigation was successfully brought about with the participation of the local community, whereas the Ponde model brought about equal water distribution through micro watershed. Another achievement of the Gram Gaurav Prathisthan is that it has been extremely successful in bringing together the people from rural areas for the cause of rural development through water distribution.

After Salunkhe, his wife Kalpana Salunkhe has taken up the responsibility as the managing trustee of the NGO.

The GGP has also worked with the tribals throughout Maharashtra for the same. Widening its area and thus its reach, the organisation is working with corporate organisations such as Bilt, Suzlon and Praj. It is also carrying out a number of projects related to organic farming in rural Maharashtra.

Kalpana Tai Salunkhe has judiciously kept alive the essence of the movement. "It was not a smooth sail for the organization that faced difficulties like issues of energy and electricity. Also, there were agitations against the activities of GGP but the organisation successfully and amicably solved the problems with proper dialogue with the concerned authorities and villagers."

GGP does not believe in the gap between the privileged class and the under privileged class. It seeks to bring about development from within for the rural areas. "Development has to be a complete circle. Unfortunately today we only look at vertical development. It should be such that natural resources should be nurtured. The nature's cycle should remain undisturbed. There should be a balance in everything," she adds.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Crorepati MPs double in LS: ADR

7 dead, 53 injured in Assam blasts

Shiv Sena slams Tendulkar again in 'Saamna'

Headley vowed to 'retaliate against India' in e-mail msg: NYT

'Equipment, better intelligence could have altered 26/11 operation'

Indian govt offers safe passage to ULFA's Rajkhowa, Barua

Bofors case: CBI refuses to reveal info on 'Q' under RTI

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map