abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
NAVINCHANDRA MAFATLAL SADGURU WATER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION..
N M SADGURU WATER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
About
Navinchanda Mafatlal Sadguru is one of the NGO working on large scale in Gujarat & Rajasthan. It is non-political, non-profit making, secular organization registered under the Public Charitable Trust Act, the Societies Registration Act (1860) and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
This NGO worked in areas of Dahod situated in Western India which was covered with thick dense forests a home for wild tigers and elephants. The tribals of the region earned their livelihood from the forests. For the last fifty years there has been immense natural resource destruction and inappropriate management leading to loss of biological diversity.
The organization Sadguru Water Development Foundation, an NGO, established in 1974, dedicated itself to the betterment of rural and tribal people by helping them make better use of available resources, appropriate technology and participatory managerial practices. The aim is to help the tribal people break away from the vicious circle of poverty and once again restore the lost natural resources.
By making best use of available water resources and demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of afforestations and watershed development, Sadguru Water Development Foundation has reversed the exodus of tribal people forced out from their land by drought and erosion. This is bringing in new prosperity and a potential impetus for environmental improvement.
Sadguru endeavors to develop & expand environmentally, technically, socially sound natural resource interventions leading to poverty alleviation, through community participation, and empowering women and other disadvantaged groups, to ensure equitable and sustainable development.
Organization
Navinchandra Mafatlal Sadguru foundation, established in 1974 it is a non-governmental organization.
It is recognized by the Department of Rural Development of the government of 3 states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The organization is receiving funds from the state and central government, national and international funding agencies for its rural/tribal poverty alleviation NRM programs.
Its main objectives are to improve the living condition of rural and tribal people by developing environmentally sound land and water resources programmers; improve the environment; arrest the distress migration; improve the socio-economic status of rural people and strive for their overall development. This is prompted by facilitating the growth of local institutions that support and sustain the NRM Programmes.
Presently, SADGURU has an active presence in the tribal areas of three states, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in the contiguous districts of, Dahod, Panchmahals, Banswara, Jhalawar and Jhabua. More than 550 villages have been touched under various program interventions by SADGURU. Another 125 villages have been helped by other NGOs with SADGURU’s support. The visible poverty among the masses and relative backwardness were the major criteria for Sadguru selecting specific areas.
Origin
The organization, N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation (SWDF), which is popularly known as "Sadguru", came into existence in the year 1974.The project was initiated and supported by the STANROSE group of companies, the Mafatlals in the beginning.
Mr. Harnath Jagawat, the director took the reins of this organization in the year 1974 and the first 2 years he walked from village to village collecting information and data related to the situation of the natural resources and the reasons for the high levels of poverty and migration in these tribal regions of western India. He was later joined by his wife Ms. Sharmisthaben and many professionals interested in working in the field of development.
Journey
• A social research was carried out in the region from 1974-1975. The following areas of concern came up;
• The Eastern regions of Dahod and Jhalod taluka of Panchmahals district was the most backward and economically most vulnerable
• 95% tribal population with 90% below poverty line was the status of the people
• Almost 100% migration due to many factors like poor land quality, limited irrigation facilities, outdated agricultural practices, poor extension services.
• Only 6% of land was under irrigation of the total land whereas there were high irrigation potentials existing.
• The water resources of the region were under utilized or not utilized at all.
Based on these intensive studies, water resources development in the form of community lift irrigation schemes was given the highest priority. Subsequently, programmes such as: agro forest - farm forestry, micro watershed development, community water harvesting, Bio-gas, and non-farm income generation activities involving women, Joint Forest Management (JFM), horticulture, floriculture, women's self help groups, have later, evolved on the basis of need and potential.
Environment & Forestry
The Forestry sector activities are vital elements in any regional development program. It not only contributes to environmental rehabilitation, but also enhances the net capital assets of the region. SADGURU has promoted forestry in its project areas as a core objective.
To have a more effective impact on the socio-economic status of the household and augment empowerment, the forestry sector interventions revolve around women.
The activities under the Forestry Program are:
• Agro-farm forestry
• Joint forest management
• Horticulture and floriculture development
• Promotion of drip irrigation, net houses and green houses
• Environment conservation forum
Environment Conservation Forum
• Develop and strengthen linkages between partners in natural resource development and management.
• Promote publication and dissemination of information on regional issues and practices of environmental conservation and development.
• Advocacy to facilitate change in state and national policies related to natural resources and the stake of local communities.
• Ensure execution of policy at local levels, through capacity building and mutual dialogue with the village partners.
Participatory micro Watershed development
Participatory Micro Watershed development helps to conserve and manage land and water on an area basis so that the basic needs of people (food, fodder, fuel, water and livelihood) are met in a sustainable and socially just manner.
The organization operates in the Mahi river basin that drains through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the Western Part of India. The operational strategy is to work on micro and milli watersheds. SADGURU’s approach is special because it is not confined to just soil and water conservation activities, but includes land and water development.
SADGURU has effectively integrated surface water and ground water development with a massive plantation programme under its micro watershed programme. As a result of this, the overall impact of watershed programme in Sadguru is much more visible, effective and sustainable.
Soil and moisture conservation activities, Plantations, Poultry, farming, Dairy development and Creation of village institutions focused on economic initiatives.
Achievements
• More than THREE DECADES of successful experience in Natural Resource Management (NRM).
• SADGURU is considered amongst the topmost NGOs in India in Natural Resource Management.
• It has excellent working relationships with the government, other non-government agencies and International organizations.
• SADGURU is recognized for high quality work and achieving targets on time.
• Phenomenal and incomparable scaling up in Natural Resource Management activities in NGO sector in recent years.
• EMPHASIS on grassroots mobilisation in the form of community participation, community management and village institutions.
• WOMEN focussed and gender sensitive approaches in all the programs.
Prompt, clear and accurate reporting.
• High degree of accountability, transparency and integrity.
• TARGETTED programmes have benefited nearly 1, 30,000 households and 8, 00,000 people in Western India.
• REPLICATING its development model in newer areas like Jhalawar in Rajasthan and consultancy in many states.
N M SADGURU WATER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
About
Navinchanda Mafatlal Sadguru is one of the NGO working on large scale in Gujarat & Rajasthan. It is non-political, non-profit making, secular organization registered under the Public Charitable Trust Act, the Societies Registration Act (1860) and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
This NGO worked in areas of Dahod situated in Western India which was covered with thick dense forests a home for wild tigers and elephants. The tribals of the region earned their livelihood from the forests. For the last fifty years there has been immense natural resource destruction and inappropriate management leading to loss of biological diversity.
The organization Sadguru Water Development Foundation, an NGO, established in 1974, dedicated itself to the betterment of rural and tribal people by helping them make better use of available resources, appropriate technology and participatory managerial practices. The aim is to help the tribal people break away from the vicious circle of poverty and once again restore the lost natural resources.
By making best use of available water resources and demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of afforestations and watershed development, Sadguru Water Development Foundation has reversed the exodus of tribal people forced out from their land by drought and erosion. This is bringing in new prosperity and a potential impetus for environmental improvement.
Sadguru endeavors to develop & expand environmentally, technically, socially sound natural resource interventions leading to poverty alleviation, through community participation, and empowering women and other disadvantaged groups, to ensure equitable and sustainable development.
Organization
Navinchandra Mafatlal Sadguru foundation, established in 1974 it is a non-governmental organization.
It is recognized by the Department of Rural Development of the government of 3 states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The organization is receiving funds from the state and central government, national and international funding agencies for its rural/tribal poverty alleviation NRM programs.
Its main objectives are to improve the living condition of rural and tribal people by developing environmentally sound land and water resources programmers; improve the environment; arrest the distress migration; improve the socio-economic status of rural people and strive for their overall development. This is prompted by facilitating the growth of local institutions that support and sustain the NRM Programmes.
Presently, SADGURU has an active presence in the tribal areas of three states, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in the contiguous districts of, Dahod, Panchmahals, Banswara, Jhalawar and Jhabua. More than 550 villages have been touched under various program interventions by SADGURU. Another 125 villages have been helped by other NGOs with SADGURU’s support. The visible poverty among the masses and relative backwardness were the major criteria for Sadguru selecting specific areas.
Origin
The organization, N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation (SWDF), which is popularly known as "Sadguru", came into existence in the year 1974.The project was initiated and supported by the STANROSE group of companies, the Mafatlals in the beginning.
Mr. Harnath Jagawat, the director took the reins of this organization in the year 1974 and the first 2 years he walked from village to village collecting information and data related to the situation of the natural resources and the reasons for the high levels of poverty and migration in these tribal regions of western India. He was later joined by his wife Ms. Sharmisthaben and many professionals interested in working in the field of development.
Journey
• A social research was carried out in the region from 1974-1975. The following areas of concern came up;
• The Eastern regions of Dahod and Jhalod taluka of Panchmahals district was the most backward and economically most vulnerable
• 95% tribal population with 90% below poverty line was the status of the people
• Almost 100% migration due to many factors like poor land quality, limited irrigation facilities, outdated agricultural practices, poor extension services.
• Only 6% of land was under irrigation of the total land whereas there were high irrigation potentials existing.
• The water resources of the region were under utilized or not utilized at all.
Based on these intensive studies, water resources development in the form of community lift irrigation schemes was given the highest priority. Subsequently, programmes such as: agro forest - farm forestry, micro watershed development, community water harvesting, Bio-gas, and non-farm income generation activities involving women, Joint Forest Management (JFM), horticulture, floriculture, women's self help groups, have later, evolved on the basis of need and potential.
Environment & Forestry
The Forestry sector activities are vital elements in any regional development program. It not only contributes to environmental rehabilitation, but also enhances the net capital assets of the region. SADGURU has promoted forestry in its project areas as a core objective.
To have a more effective impact on the socio-economic status of the household and augment empowerment, the forestry sector interventions revolve around women.
The activities under the Forestry Program are:
• Agro-farm forestry
• Joint forest management
• Horticulture and floriculture development
• Promotion of drip irrigation, net houses and green houses
• Environment conservation forum
Environment Conservation Forum
• Develop and strengthen linkages between partners in natural resource development and management.
• Promote publication and dissemination of information on regional issues and practices of environmental conservation and development.
• Advocacy to facilitate change in state and national policies related to natural resources and the stake of local communities.
• Ensure execution of policy at local levels, through capacity building and mutual dialogue with the village partners.
Participatory micro Watershed development
Participatory Micro Watershed development helps to conserve and manage land and water on an area basis so that the basic needs of people (food, fodder, fuel, water and livelihood) are met in a sustainable and socially just manner.
The organization operates in the Mahi river basin that drains through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the Western Part of India. The operational strategy is to work on micro and milli watersheds. SADGURU’s approach is special because it is not confined to just soil and water conservation activities, but includes land and water development.
SADGURU has effectively integrated surface water and ground water development with a massive plantation programme under its micro watershed programme. As a result of this, the overall impact of watershed programme in Sadguru is much more visible, effective and sustainable.
Soil and moisture conservation activities, Plantations, Poultry, farming, Dairy development and Creation of village institutions focused on economic initiatives.
Achievements
• More than THREE DECADES of successful experience in Natural Resource Management (NRM).
• SADGURU is considered amongst the topmost NGOs in India in Natural Resource Management.
• It has excellent working relationships with the government, other non-government agencies and International organizations.
• SADGURU is recognized for high quality work and achieving targets on time.
• Phenomenal and incomparable scaling up in Natural Resource Management activities in NGO sector in recent years.
• EMPHASIS on grassroots mobilisation in the form of community participation, community management and village institutions.
• WOMEN focussed and gender sensitive approaches in all the programs.
Prompt, clear and accurate reporting.
• High degree of accountability, transparency and integrity.
• TARGETTED programmes have benefited nearly 1, 30,000 households and 8, 00,000 people in Western India.
• REPLICATING its development model in newer areas like Jhalawar in Rajasthan and consultancy in many states.