GRAM VIKAS LEADING THE WAY WITH INNOVATIVE WATER SOLUTIONS ON WORLD WATER WEEK 2023

Bhubaneswar(24/08/2023): Gram Vikas has been a pioneer in sustainable water management and rural empowerment in Odisha and Jharkhand for over four decades.

As the world prepares to observe World Water Week 2023 with the theme "Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World," Gram Vikas seizes the opportunity to showcase its remarkable work in the water sector.

This year's focus on innovation amid unprecedented challenges calls to reimagine water management practices and inspire transformative ideas for a better, water-secure future. At the core of Gram Vikas's approach lies an unwavering commitment to empowering village communities in constructing and maintaining their piped water supply systems.

By mobilising and supporting these communities, the organisation ensures a continuous supply of clean water for drinking and domestic use.

Integrating water solutions with sanitation facilities has improved health and hygiene and significantly reduced the burden of daily chores, particularly for women. Gram Vikas has made numerous communities water-secure long-term by fostering awareness, sharing knowledge, and practising sustainable water resource management.

The impact of their interventions is evident, with 99,776 households now benefitting from access to three taps with water supply in the states of Odisha and Jharkhand.

Moreover, diligent efforts have resulted in an impressive 85% reduction in waterborne diseases within these regions. An automated dosing system utilises chlorine to disinfect well and spring water in a modular disinfection unit, requiring minimal technical knowledge.

Village Development Committees (VDCs) from seven rural Odisha villages have collaborated with Gram Vikas and their partner, AguaClara Reach, to ensure safe drinking water.

Lahanda in Keonjhar district pioneered in 2018, installing the Hydrodoser for 150 households and becoming Odisha's first village to operate this system.

Following this success, six more partner villages across Khurda, Gajapati, and Keonjhar districts have adopted the approach, benefiting 385 households. Basudha Rath, an innovative approach to information, communication, and education (IEC), aims to engage and raise awareness among rural communities about safe drinking water and sanitation issues.

Since April 2023, the Basudha Rath has reached 6575 villages across 709 Gram Panchayats in 36 blocks, effectively reaching over 3,468,165 individuals.

The initiative is set to extend its reach across the Boudh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts in Odisha, covering a wide geographical area. While Gram Vikas has successfully provided piped water systems, challenges remain.

Around 35% of the villages supported by Gram Vikas rely on spring water sources, which have faced reduced availability due to human and natural interventions in the spring sheds and the weakening of spring aquifers.

Furthermore, groundwater depletion has adversely affected the yield of borewells, which account for about 50% of the water sources, necessitating a better understanding and management of hydrogeology. Gram Vikas plans to address these challenges by leveraging its watershed-based soil and water conservation expertise in Odisha's hilly regions.

This experience forms the foundation for developing strategies to safeguard and replenish spring and groundwater aquifers.

An example of this approach's success is the water absorption trench project in Mardiguda village, Kalahandi, which has revitalised aquifers, increasing spring water availability by 25%.

Collaborative efforts by eleven indigenous communities have also restored 540 acres of land through afforestation and water conservation. Micro Automatic Weather Stations (mAWS) provide farmers with tailored weather forecasts and crop advice, promoting efficient irrigation and cost savings.

This benefits 414 farmers in 35 Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) across Bangomunda and Balangir.

With the ambitious SDG6 for universal water access by 2030, Gram Vikas exemplifies grassroots innovation.

Our community-centred approach ensures lasting positive impacts beyond water access.

Since 1979, Gram Vikas has empowered rural communities in Odisha and Jharkhand, reaching over 600,000 people in 1700 locations across 27 districts. For more information, please visit the official website of Gram Vikas at www.gramvikas.org.