The life support systems of the planet earth are intimately linked with the extent and quality of natural resources like land, water, vegetation, livestock and trained manpower. The over exploitation of these resources, particularly in the developing countries, has led to their depletion, deterioration and degradation with far reaching economic and ecological consequences.
InIndia, strong research and development initiatives were taken by the states and the central government, but the rate of degradation remained faster than the rate of rehabilitation. The compartmentalized approach and inadequate attention to stakeholder participation produced sub-optimal results.
Sukhomajri and many other successful projects on natural resources management indicated the need of integrated approach and creation of vibrant social institutions for sustainable development of natural resources. The mobilization of rural communities to form such institutions, ensuring their capacity building and empowerment for functional success and sustainability require the support of devoted Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). They should act as facilitators and motivators by working as interface between the government departments and the communities.
Impact of an industry dominated Shivalik watershed on farm economy, livelihoods, groundwater depletion and possible remediation measures
The industrial pollution has become a major environmental problem defying solution. A 3256 ha watershed located in the Shivalik foot hills of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh gradually came under state promoted industrial development with a provision of incentives and subsidies. As the industry expanded, it created the serious problem of groundwater depletion, pollution by untreated sewage water as pollution control norms were not strictly followed. The agriculture and livelihoods of the watershed communities were largely affected. A corporate supported study was conducted during 2022-23 to analyze the cause and effects of these problems and scope of sustainable and environment friendly development.
Floods in Ghaggar River
The recent examples of cloudbursts and flash floods in the Shivalik hills and Kishtwar in J and K, Manali on Beas River shows that the cloudbursts are occurring next door and their frequency is ever increasing. In one of the reports of Down-To-Earth Magazine, 26 cloudbursts occurred in seven months of 2021 in four northern Himalayan States of India. The increasing intensity of cloudbursts has been attributed to climate change. The bridges were washed away and river protection works failed to provide any protection in view of very high magnitude of river floods. If you try to encroach upon the territories of the mighty rivers, they would teach you a lesson sooner or later. God forbidden, if such a cloudburst happens in the hilly catchment area of Ghaggar River or a torrential rain cause huge landslide which may block river flow temporarily when breach, the settlements of the Panchkula township located along its banks may face unprecedented damage. Such examples are many which happened during the recent times.
BASANT IN WILDERNESS - A CASE STUDY: RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CHANGES IN NRM PROJECT AREA
The Natural Resources Management Project supported by the SRF Ltd. operated in 35 villages of Tijara block of Alwar district of Rajasthan from 2006 to 2016. The project was implemented initially with the help of Pardan a reputed NGO and thereafter with Sir Syad Trust. The Society for Promotion and Conservation of Environment an NGO was placed on board since 2008 for evaluation, impact assessment and technical support. In this ten-year period, 206 earthen dams were constructed to harvest rain water from the barren Aravali hills for ground water recharge and flood moderation. 1850 hectares of privately owned waste lands were leveled under a cost sharing system. Around 3.5 lakh Aruneem plants were planted on field bunds of reclaimed lands. In addition fifty thousand fruit plants were raised in clusters. More than 200 Self Help Groups were formed under a poverty alleviation program for weaker sections and women empowerment was particularly focused. The project was closed in the present form in 2016. However, it was continued again from 2017 with support from SRF Foundation with main focus on Hydrological and Environment Studies in Villages Surrounding the SRF Plant.