World Vision India and AFPRO are working together in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for poverty alleviation through soil and water conservation and drought mitigation programmes. AFPRO is providing technical assistance to the World Vision India Area Development Programmes in Perambalur, Palani, Thally, Mannargudi, Kalrayan hills and Usilampatty. These regions are highly drought affected areas. The people living here are generally poor or marginalized tribals who do not have access to basic infrastructure. Agriculture is their main occupation. While agricultural lands were dependent on canals or tanks for irrigation, there was a large scale infestation of weeds in the feeder channels and tank water spreads, heavy silting, choked or leaky sluices and damaged surplus weirs, weak or reduced tank bunds, and other similar cases of improper construction and management. Lack of recharge measures and over-exploitation of ground water resources have further compounded the situation. The failure of monsoons has led to abysmally low crop yields, and even crop failure. In the absence of allied trades, the poor inhabitants have been forced to migrate seasonally in search of livelihood options.

In order to improve the situation, tanks and other water impounding structures are being desilted, deepened and developed. Additional structures like check dams and earthen dams are being constructed. Bunding and trenching is being undertaken in order to promote a second crop. These measures will help recharge the aquifers and ensure water in bore wells and open wells. Fish rearing is being promoted as an alternative for income generation.

All these activities are being implemented with the avid participation of the community. Selection and location of project components was done in consultation with the community. Through activities for awareness creation, the formation of Water and Sanitation Committees, exposure visits for community representatives, the community is being capacitated and given responsibilities for monitoring construction work and eventual maintenance of the structures.

(Field Unit: Bangalore, Karnataka)