Problems are never sought after. However, they land at once and leave one wrecked. Triumphing over problems and turning into a new leaf is probably what the mankind can draw inspiration from. And Kolar is one such district.
Apart from the popular mangoes and tomatoes it produces, the district is notorious for its drought. Not being blessed with any natural water resource including rivers, streams or ponds, it would have soon faded into oblivion. But, thanks to the Sujal watershed project, the district has got a new lease of life.
Once upon a time, Kolar enjoyed the reputation of having the highest number of ponds in the State. Thanks to irregular rains, these ponds soon dried up. Constructed several years ago, they are now filled with silt and are unable to hold water.
Going by the geographical description of the district, Kolar has 7.80 lakh hectares of land, out of which only 4.32 lakh hectares are fit for agriculture while 3.48 hectares are not. Meanwhile, only 6.18 lakh hectare area is fit for the implementation of the the watershed project, while 1.60 lakh acres of land is not.
According to a census report from the 11 taluks of the district, there are about 3,298 ponds, 59.608 open wells and 13,13,398 tubewells (there are several unauthorised tubewells not counted here). Unfortunately, due to the lack of a permanent irrigation facility, farmers are facing water scarcity. They have stopped depending on ponds and open wells and have now moved to tubewells as the last resort. Tubewells are being sunk indiscriminately, leading the groundwater level in the area to reach the danger level.
Thus, it became inevitable for the district to find a permanent solution to the impending problem. It was here that Sujal watershed project aided by the World Bank came as a rescue. The programme focuses on soil conservation, groundwater re-charge, construction of canals and checkdams, encouraging agricultural forestry, horticulture, dairy farming, and the creation of self-help groups (SHGs) and involving them in non-agricultural activities which help generate income. All in all, the programme is aimed at creating a new phase in the overall development of the district.
Under the Sujal watershed project, 6,682 hectares of land has been developed. Development works are being undertaken under the Drought Prone Area Development, National Water Development Programme and Integrated Water Development Programme projects. Thanks to the project, today mangoes are being cultivated in 5,975 hectares, chickoo in 564 hectares, cashewnut in 67 hectares and other crops in 76 hectares. While chickoo is given prominence in Malur taluk, mangoes of different varieties are being cultivated in the rest of the taluks.
Silver Oak
Since Kolar is popular for the tomatoes it produces, packing them in boxes made out of tree barks was the next area of focus. Thus the cultivation of Silver Oaks came into picture.
Silver Oak plantations have come up in large numbers in the district. Boxes made out of Silver Oak trees is of very good quality and these plantations have come up in the watershed development areas.
Sujal watershed project was introduced in a three-phased manner for the first time in the district in 2003-2004. It has identified various villages in the 11 taluks which come under the sub-watershed programme and mini-watershed projects are implemented in these villages.
The project has the target of developing a total of 121 mini-watershed areas in 429 villages. Thus, a total of 60,732 hectares of area is being developed.
The main aim of the project is to create and train SHGs and improve their economic conditions. There are 1,074 SHGs and all its members are involved in income-generating activities. The services of NGOs are also being employed to train the members.
Benefit for farmers
The project is multi-focussed and encompasses all the aspects of economic development. Till date, a total of 32,924 farmers have been trained in various projects of self-employment. After the training, these members start their own ventures with a capital of Rs 75,000 each. Apart from agriculture, horticulture, agriculture forestry, sericulture, animal husbandry and entry point programmes are also being implemented in various villages.
The success of these projects is attracting world attention. It is not surprising as similar projects implemented in a few other districts have not been as successful.
Now, water scarcity is a matter of the past in Kolar district and people have engaged themselves in income generating activities. The district is on the course of changing its vision. This is a silent revolution indeed!
Translated by Jyotsna Dharwad