Interventions led by women, communities, WUAs, and SHGs in water conservation in Udham Singh Nagar include:-
1.Rainwater Harvesting:- Implementing rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store rainwater for future use.
2.Water Management Training:- Total 1645 Women's trained in water quality testing by Jal Jeevan Mission. Village Water and Sanitation Committees are being led by 300 women.
3. Community Awareness Campaigns: Organizing campaigns to educate the community about the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices. 105 numbers of water conservation awareness programmes constructed exclusively by Women self help groups.
4. Afforestation Projects:- Engaging in tree planting activities to improve groundwater recharge and reduce soil erosion. Approx 47000 trees were planted near water bodies. In which a large number of women participated.
5. Maintenance of Water Bodies:- 80 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed at the district level. Out of which 36 Amrit Sarovars have been allotted to SHGs/Mahila Mangal Dal. Regular cleaning and maintenance of Amrit sarovars will be done by Women's groups.
6. This year 57 ponds have been constructed by Fisheries Department. Out of which 37 ponds have been selected for allotment to women beneficiaries under TSP/SCP.
7. 168 sprinkler sets have been allotted to women farmers by the Agriculture and Horticulture Department.
In Udham Singh Nagar, women, communities, Water User Associations (WUAs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) play a crucial role in water conservation:-
1. Women Leadership:-
Women have emerged as key leaders in water management. These women are involved in activities such as rainwater harvesting,Fishing,Participation in agricultural and horticultural work, flood management, and promoting water use efficiency.
2. Community Involvement:-
Communities in Udham Singh Nagar actively participate in water conservation efforts. Programs like the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) support community-led initiatives to manage water resources effectively.
3. WUAs in Udham Singh Nagar are instrumental in managing irrigation systems and ensuring sustainable water use. They work on maintaining irrigation infrastructure, promoting efficient water use practices, and organizing community training programs.
4. SHGs/ Mahila Mangal Dal play a significant role in water conservation by mobilizing community participation and implementing sustainable practices. They focus on activities like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and creating awareness about water conservation.
The objective of leadership of women/communities/WUAs/SHGs in water conservation in udham singh nagar:-
1. Sustainable Water Management: To ensure long-term availability and quality of water resources through efficient and community-driven practices.
2. Empowerment: To empower women and marginalized communities by involving them in decision-making processes and management of water resources.
3. Community Resilience: To build resilient communities that can effectively manage and conserve water, especially in times of scarcity.
4. Capacity Building: To enhance the knowledge and skills of local communities, WUAs, and SHGs in water conservation techniques.
5. Awareness and Education: To spread awareness about the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices.
The leadership of women, communities, WUAs, and SHGs in water conservation in Udham Singh Nagar has led to several positive outcomes:-
1.Improved Water Management: Enhanced community-led water management practices have resulted in more efficient use of water resources.
2. Increased Awareness: Awareness campaigns have educated the community about the importance of water conservation, leading to more sustainable practices.
3. Enhanced Biodiversity: Afforestation and other conservation efforts have contributed to the preservation and enhancement of local biodiversity.
4. Empowerment of Women: Women have taken on leadership roles, gaining confidence and skills in water management, which has also improved their social standing. Along with this, along with the increase in livelihood of women, self-reliance has also been promoted.
5. Sustainable Development: The collective efforts of these groups have promoted sustainable development, ensuring long-term water availability and quality.
There are some Innovations:-
1. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting: Schools and households have adopted rooftop rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for non-potable uses like sanitation and gardening. This reduces dependency on groundwater and promotes sustainability.
2. Community-Led Monitoring: Local communities, including women and SHGs/Mahila Mangal Dal, actively participate in monitoring water quality and usage, ensuring sustainable practices and early detection of issues.
3. Educational Programs: Schools and community groups conduct educational programs to raise awareness about water conservation, teaching students and community members about the importance of sustainable water management.
4. Collaborative Projects: Partnerships with NGOs and government bodies to implement large-scale water conservation projects, such as the installation of groundwater recharge pits and the maintenance of water bodies.
ICICI Foundation has made 100 rooftop rain water recharge systems and recharge pits in Udham Singh Nagar government schools. In which approximately 23 lakh liters of water is being stored every year.
5. Use of Technology: Implementing remote sensing and GIS for better planning and monitoring of water conservation efforts, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely interventions.
