ARVARI, THE RIVER a people’s movement

by

Rajendra Singh

Tarun Bharat Sangh (India)

The story of Arvari is the story of the power of the people, of the value of traditional technologies and wisdom, of the impact of the community’s ownership of the common resource, and of the
benefits of decentralization at grassroots level.

It is the story of a river lost in 1940s… but rejuvenated half a
century later through sheer efforts of a community.

1985

TARUN BHARAT SANGH (TBS),

a non government organization starts to bring people together
on the issues of management of forests and water resources.

 

Tarun Bharat Sangh triggered off the process by building one Johad (a pond like water structure)

Johads serve to recharge ground water
and as drinking water for the wildlife
and cattle of the area

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

 

Success of the first Johad inspired people to take up the building of more
such structures – the connection between water, forests and wildlife was made
and this also led to the revival of traditional rules.

In the past, forest ownership had been taken over by the Forest Department, leading to alienation of the people and loss of traditions of conservation – making
it difficult to bring people together again.

WATER HARVESTING STRUCTURES TAKE SHAPE

Johads and dams are usually built on small tributaries uphill and they directly benefit the forests on the hill.

The Works 

 IN FEBRUARY 1993 AND FEBRUARY 2003 THE AMAZING CHANGES

 RIVER IS FOLLOWING NOW, AND DRASTIC CHANGE BECAUSE OF JOHAD BY RAJANDERA SING JEE.

 THE CHANGED SCENARIO – IN 10 YEARS

A village on Arvari River Basin today

 

Wheat Production Chart After Johad

  SMALL INPUTS, GREAT RETURNS

PRESERVING THE LABOUR

BENFITS OF JOHADS

1.Water is made available to cattle
and wildlife

2.More harvests per season

3.Reduced migration

4.Social issues of women and
education get more attention

5.Increased awareness about the
use of forest resource

 SPECIAL FEATURES OF PEOPLE’S PARTICIATION

Water, forests and wildlife are community’s Common Resource.

Ownership of Common Resource by the “ruled” rather than the “ruler”.

Tradition of their management by consensus at the village level was revived.

Religions play the role of a uniting & motivating force. Women help build consensus.

Technological self sufficiency. Emphasis on local means, experiences and wisdom.

Sustainable lifestyle – especially applicable in large parts of Australia.

Advice and help from formally qualified engineers if needed.

 WHO OWNS THE RIVERS?

Who owns the rivers, reservoirs and forests?
As per an old, colonial law, all waterways are owned by the State… which promptly gave a contract on Arvari river to private fishing contractors!

Villagers successfully fought this.

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Which served as a trigger to the formation of
Arvari Parliament on 26th January 1999

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THE ARVARI PARLIAMENT 

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 11 ASPECTS OF THE ARVARI PARLIAMENT

1.Framing of rules regarding direct irrigation from the Arvari river and the wells.

2.Framing of rules regarding crops and cattle feed.

3.Rules to first fulfill local needs with crop production.

4.No sale of water and conservation of fishes in the river.

5.Restriction on the sale of land and the efforts to reduce the need to sell land.

6.Making the whole river area green, ban mining and restrict extended grazing by nomadic grazers.

7.Restrictions on hunting of animals and illegal cutting of trees.

8.Revive traditional methods of water and forest conservation.

9.Prevent over exploitation of water and promote water conservation work.

10.Establish an active system of the management of the river.

11.Define and redefine the role of the Arvari Parliament and village communities.

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CHALLENGES FACED BY THE PARLIAMENT

 

1.Contracts given by the government to private fishing contractors and mining contractors.

2.Government’s order to pull down the office being built by the Parliament – Lack of encouragement from the government.

3.Conflicts arising between policies of the forest department and village laws. For example, total ban on extraction of wood from forested land.

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ARVARI IN THE LARGER LANDSCAPE

 

1.Lessons learnt from Arvari being applied to the larger region and across the country.

2.Regeneration of rivers across India.

3.In wildlife sanctuaries, Forest Protection Committees are being formed in partnership between the forest department, people and TBS.

4.Community participation in the prevention of poaching – 11 poachers surrender in Sariska.

5.Inclusion of more systems of water management and inputs from the experiences and wisdom of other communities.

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SPECIAL FEATURES OF TBS WORK IN ARVARI BASIN

 

AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY

•Awareness of various aspects of water management

•Respect for culture, traditions and historical practices

•Desire to work together for community’s common interest

WORKING STRATEGY

•Constitution of Village Councils – Monthly meetings of all grown ups

•Maximum possible use of traditional technology with advice from engineers if needed

•All decisions including technical (siting, materials, design etc.) by Village Councils

•All decisions by consensus, not by majority

•Role of women in helping reach consensus

•Min. 30% of total cost contribution by community – rest from support agencies thru TBS

•No involvement or interference from government

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

•Total responsibility assumed by the community

WATER – ABSTRACTION AND USE MANAGEMENT

•River Parliament (Arvari Sansad) with all 72 villages of Arvari Basin represented

•Responsible for planning & enforcing sustainable use of water, particularly in agriculture