Business News | The remarkable Rampur revival of The Art of Living

PRNewswire

Bengaluru (Karnataka) (India), April 30: In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, where the ebb and flow of the Kosi River once dictated the rhythms of life, a new chapter is being written. The Art of Living Social Projects River Rejuvenation Team, with inspiration and guidance from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has embarked on a bold mission to address water resource challenges in Rampur District, breathing life into parched areas and forge a path to sustainability.

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Rampur District, once a bustling hub of agricultural activity, faced a double dilemma: water shortages in the scorching summer months and devastating floods during the monsoon season. The need for a delicate balance between abundance and scarcity spurred the team into action.

Art of Living’s approach was as innovative as it was pragmatic. They sought to exploit the untapped potential of floodwaters and baseflows, channeling them into groundwater reserves that could meet both irrigation and drinking needs. The concept was simple yet profound: turning excess water into a lifeline for the community.

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Recognizing that real change starts with education, they launched water literacy awareness camps and programs, inviting more than 7,000 people to join them on the journey towards sustainable solutions. Through these initiatives, they promoted a sense of community ownership and empowerment, laying the foundation for lasting change.

The results of their pilot project were nothing short of transformative. In 80 villages they have built 244 charging shafts in 122 ponds and a pioneering underground dike. These interventions not only replenished groundwater reserves but also provided a lifeline to surrounding farmlands, allowing farmers to thrive in the face of adversity.

Success through careful methodology and technical competence

The team’s journey began with an extensive survey of surface and water levels to understand the existing challenges. Armed with insights from exploration studies, they embarked on a mission to revive the Kosi River and its tributaries. Their innovative idea, the underground dike, aimed to convert flood water into groundwater. After its construction, together with recharge shafts in ponds, the groundwater status improved significantly. According to the Central Ground Water Board’s 2022 report, Chamraua has moved from ‘critical’ to ‘semi-critical’, and Saidnagar from ‘semi-critical’ to ‘safe’.

The impact of these interventions was quickly felt in villages like Behla and Benjana, where farmers had long struggled with water scarcity. With the construction of recharge shafts and underground dikes, the groundwater level began to rise, offering new hope to the agricultural community.

This pilot initiative achieved significant success and led to plans for further expansion into other overexploited areas. The team’s ultimate goal is to replicate these solutions on a larger scale, revolutionize water management practices and promote floodplain sustainability in Uttar Pradesh.

How do charging shafts work?

Recharge shafts (RS), a crucial part of water conservation efforts, are deployed in ponds to facilitate rainwater harvesting. These structures effectively follow the water flow at the surface, directing it downward through natural filters, ultimately reaching a depth of up to 30 meters.

Innovative modifications have been introduced to improve the efficiency of recharge shafts (RS), including the use of horizontal pipes for water collection instead of vertical pipes. Other design improvements such as changes in size, filter media, positioning of the tubes in the chamber, application of external plaster and the incorporation of reinforced concrete raft foundations have further optimized their functionality compared to previous iterations in and around Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. .

How do underground dikes function?

Underground dikes (SSD) represent a groundbreaking groundwater conservation technique developed by scientists at The Art of Living. With the permission of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the first SSD was constructed in the Bhalla stream, aimed at accommodating the base stream.

Distinguished by their ability to utilize base current, SSDs stand out from conventional charging structures, which focus primarily on surface current. The Art of Living conducted meticulous efficiency assessments using three observation wells strategically positioned around the structure. These wells, both upstream and downstream, serve as key indicators of the effectiveness of the SSD, with pre- and post-monsoon assessments shedding light on its impact on groundwater levels.

Geographic Information System (GIS) technology also played a crucial role in this initiative, facilitating watershed area monitoring, watershed mapping and identification of soil layer locations. Using GIS insights, the Art of Living team validated potential locations for charging shafts and SSDs, seamlessly integrating scientific expertise with community engagement and innovative design principles.

Community leadership programs

One of the key initiatives under this project is the Community Leadership Programs, which aim to train relevant stakeholders in the field of village development and management and equip them with skills to lead local initiatives. This promotes community ownership and ensures effective implementation. Various training programs, from Youth Leadership to Women Leadership Training, cultivate leadership and promote inclusivity and responsibility in water conservation.

Water literacy programs

Through initiatives such as Antar Jalchetana (Water Literacy Programs), participants gain insight into their water consumption patterns, cultivation practices and efficient agricultural techniques. They also learn about measuring precipitation, evaporation rates and other essential aspects of water management.

A crucial part of the Water Literacy Programs is the preparation of water profile layouts for villages. These layouts provide stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of water supply and demand dynamics, allowing them to plan their water use effectively. Involving rural women in these programs ensures social equality and inclusivity.

A network of Jalmitras spreads awareness at the grassroots level

To increase the impact of water conservation initiatives, The Art of Living trains volunteers known as Jalmitras. These dedicated individuals play a critical role in spreading water conservation knowledge within their communities.

Reflections on progress

Rajni Devi, Pradhan, Chamraua, Rampur, UP:

“The Art of Living has worked in the areas of water conservation, environmental conservation and public health and hygiene. Under the guidance of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, they have conducted numerous leadership camps for youth and women to raise awareness on various issues. Many recharge shafts have been built .Water used to flow after rainfall, but now it remains trapped, resulting in groundwater recharge.”

Kamal Kumar, Gram Pradhan, Chamraua, Rampur, UP:

“Under the MGNREGA scheme, The Art of Living has constructed several recharge shafts to recharge groundwater and an underground embankment to prevent water from flowing. Today, the water situation has improved. I would like to thank Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and The Art of Living thank everyone for the work being done in these villages.”

Mohammed Shafi Khan, Gram Pradhan:

“Groundwater depletion was one of the major concerns in Chamraua, Rampur, UP. The Art of Living organized many awareness and leadership camps for the women and youth who participated in this initiative. After construction of recharge wells and underground embankment water was restored Underground dike prevented the flow of water. I am grateful for this necessary and quick action.”

As the sun sets on Rampur on another day, the team stands on the brink of a better future. Through their combined efforts, they were able to turn the tide of adversity. They didn’t just revive a river; they have revitalized a community and paved the way for a future where water scarcity is but a distant memory.

About the art of living – social projects

The Art of Living, a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, works closely with the Government of India to rid the country of water scarcity through various water resources . nature conservation projects.

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