Support A Village
337 villages| 4600 sq. kms | 700,000 lives | $15 Million
Consecutive years of drought, shifting rainfall patterns and the disruption of natural groundwater recharge mechanisms have crippled the ability of rain-fed rivers to replenish themselves. The result of this crisis crop failures, falling farmer incomes, and their consequent inability to pay-off loans, leading to what’s being termed a farmer suicide epidemic.
Karnataka's water crisis is largely a man-made crisis resulting from disruption of the hydrological cycle due to deforestation, soil erosion, and over exploitation of ground water through bore wells. Our vision is to institute a permanently fix for this water crisis.
Project Goals
To raise the water table over 4600 sq. kms of area, covering 337 villages in Gadag, Karnataka
Irrigate agricultural land and help farmers in distress
Benefit 700,000 village residents
Gadag, Karnataka Village Adoption Financial Plan:
Total Project Cost: $15 Million
Key Success Factors
Scientific planning and oversight Geoscientists
For scientific planning, we begin by performing systematic study of the thematic maps of the entire river basin for the factors like Slope, Drainage Network, Soil Texture, Land Use, Geomorphology, Lineaments, Groundwater prospects, Village boundaries, etc. using remote sensing data and satellite imagery.
Geoscientists formerly with ISRO and the Karnataka Remote Sensing Department, have developed a comprehensive plan for mass scale rain water harvesting, for OVBI, Adopt a Village campaign
Entrenchment in local community
After formulating an appropriate action-plan, the key challenge lies in bringing the local community on-board. Community ownership is very crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of these projects. This can be achieved by
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Undertaking targeted campaigns to build awareness in the local community
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Conducting extensive Capacity Building Training Programs to raise motivation levels, leadership skills and a sense of belonging amongst local communities
This project will be executed by local village residents while generating employment through the government’s MGNREGA scheme. The Art of Living Foundation acts as a nodal agency to facilitate community mobilization and provide technical guidance.
Project Management and previous success with similar projects
This project will be executed in collaboration with local NGO, The Art of Living Foundation, along the lines of their very successful Vedavathi river rejuvenation project See report issued by the Karnataka Government [PDF REPORT]
The Art of Living Foundation provides a resilient and flexible institutional framework aided by adaptive grassroots teams that complement the functioning of the local governments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where there is Water, There is Life
