In order to address various water related problems in major parts of Gujarat state, such as women in rural areas having to walk long distances to fetch water, inadequate and irregular supply, poor quality and resultant health problems, SFT initiated the program in 130 most vulnerable villages of Kutch and vadodara districts in collaboration with Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) and Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB).
The program has successfully addressed these issues and the availability of clean safe water has resulted into an overall improvement in the health and quality of life of the people. Having understood the importance of water, communities, especially the youth, have shed all the barriers, and are getting actively involved and are even initiating developmental work in their villages. Pani Samitis have been formed to resolve internal disputes.
The area of Banni is dependent on external source of water coming from a distance of more than 100 kms. Cattle rearing being a major source of livelihood, large quantity of water is required for the survival of humans as well as cattle. WASMO came forward and supported the program in order to rectify the huge burden on the existing water distribution systems by developing alternate sources of water like village ponds and check dams. These ponds not only store water for a period of six to eight months but also help in recharging ground water.
Swajaldhara Program in Vadodara District
Swajaldhara program aims at establishing community managed safe drinking water systems, improved sanitation and hygiene practices and gradually making the community completely self reliant for their water requirements.
The projected has already commenced in 90 villages of three blocks of Vadodara district. The project plans to cover 1, 48,018 population of Chhota Udepur, Karjan and Padra blocks.
As the concept of people’s contribution as an integral part of the project was relatively new, added efforts were required to convince people of its scope and its importance towards the all round realization of its objectives.
