Women take lead in revival of rivers

Small rivers have been getting depleted and sometimes simply vanishing in many parts of the country.

- BHARAT DOGRA

This has aggravated the problem of floods as well as droughts, as people are denied access to their water in drought years and during floods, rain water which would have flowed into these rivers instead turns towards human habitations.

Keeping in view these problems, efforts that have been made at some places for rejuvenation of several small rivers have been widely appreciated. One such effort has involved the mobilization of communities with the help of women water protector volunteers called Jal Sahelis. This initiative of Parmarth voluntary organization has been mainly concentrated in Bundelkhand region (spread over 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh) but is now spreading to other states like Rajasthan.

Speaking to several Jal Sahelis in their villages and at training programmes, this writer has been impressed by their deep commitment and ability to contribute voluntary work on a regular basis. Their work has also been praised by the Prime Minister.