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Promoting Renewable Energy & Water Conservation

Foundation

Unleashing the Potential of natUral and hUman CaPital


A Compilation of Case Studies from Southern India

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Preface 3

Dalmia Bharat Group 5

About Bimtech 7


Fuel-Efficient Chullahs: The Way Ahead 8

Biogas, an Alternative Source of Fuel 12

Promotion of Solar Lantern 15

Lighting Village Streets: Installing Solar Street Lights 18

Construction and Renovation of Check Dams 21

Deepening of Existing Village Ponds and Construction of Farm Ponds 23

Drip Irrigation 26

Unleashing the Potential of natUral and hUman CaPital


A Compilation of Case Studies from Southern India

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PrefaCe

The Dalmia Bharat Group’s corporate citizenship is historic. It was on Mahatma Gandhi’s call to the Industrialists of the time to become Trustees of the Society, that the Dalmia Group started to take responsibility in terms of education, health and infrastructure of its neighbouring community. Over the years, the Group transitioned from a sense of Trusteeship to strategic Corporate Social Responsibility. Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation (DBGF) is the group’s vehicle to engage with the communities through an extensive development initiative.

The principal focus of DBGF is on environmental issues like water and energy, both of which are a scarce resource for its stakeholders. Through community led initiatives, DBGF works widely on water conservation and management as well as on energy security for the communities. Over the years, numerous inspiring stories have emerged from the program areas. These stories not only ignite hope amongst the peers, but also inspire in us to scale up our initiative.

As part of his internship, Mr Praveen Kumar Shukla, a final year student of PGDM (Sustainable Development Practices) at BIMTECH, Greater NOIDA, travelled extensively across our program areas and interacted expansively with the program stakeholders. Under the guidance of Sh. N.N. Sharma, Associate Professor and Chairperson of India Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) at BIMTECH, Praveen gathered seven case studies from field visits. This is a compilation of those case studies.

We appreciate the interest shown by Praveen and through him by BIMTECH in our work. We hope that these case studies would interest the proponents of rural development and CSR equally.

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Dalmia Bharat Group (DBG) is a significant player in India’s core manufacturing sector. A pioneer and leader in innovation for over seven decades, the Group is a leading conglomerate with a strong presence in Cement, Sugar, Refractories and Power.

Over the years, Dalmia Bharat has grown at a CAGR of more than 30%. Its cement business has grown exponentially in terms of capacity and production and is a leader in the speciality cements space. In sugar, the Group is a prominent generic player. The Group caters to an loyal and growing customer base in refractories and has forayed into sustainable power/energy.

dalmia Bharat groUP (dBg)

Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation (DBGF), is a registered not-for-profit trust. It is committed to carry forward the seven-decade long legacy of Dalmia Bharat Group through conscientious corporate citizenship. The Foundation started its journey in the year 2009, as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Company. The mission of Dalmia Bharat Group’s CSR is to facilitate the stakeholders hasten their social, economic and environmental progress through effective management of human and natural capital.

We have started to calibrate the focus on issues which are more material, both to the communities and to us. One such issue is Water. We are working both on water harvesting and on water usage with the neighbouring communities. The other critical issue relevant to us is energy conservation. We are concentrating on this issue and as a spin-off, are offsetting the communities’ carbon foot-prints. We are also focused on skill development for youths as the third vertical of our core focus programs.

dalmia Bharat groUP foUndation (dBgf)

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Praveen Kumar Shukla

Praveen Shukla is a computer engineer who completed his PGDM (Sustainable Development

Practices) from Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Gr Noida in 2014.

He is currently working with Ayuervet Limited (a sister organization of Dabur India) in the area of sustainability. During his internship, Praveen prepared a sustainablility report of J.K.Paper Ltd and during his winter internship he visited various projects of Dalmia Cement where in he documented certain initiatives in the area of CSR being implemented by Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation.

aBoUt BimteCh

Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) is one of the premier private business schools, ranked 7th among top private B-Schools in India (National HRD Network & People Matters B-School Ranking 2013).

It was established in 1988 under the aegis of the Birla Academy of Art and Culture promoted by the B. K. Birla Group of institutions. It is a fully residential campus located in Greater Noida with a predominantly green and environmentally friendly ambience.

The institute offers doctoral and residential two years AICTE approved Post-Graduate courses in General Management (PGDM), International Business (PGDM International Business), Insurance Business (PGDM Insurance Business Management), Retail Management (PGDM Retail Management) and Sustainable Development Practices (PGDM Sustainable Development Practices).

The institute received a gold award for its PGDM (Sustainable Development Practices) programme at the Indian Management Conclave held in 2013.

BIMTECH is committed for preparing business leaders who can advance the agenda of responsive business and are imbued with societal concerns. “Responsible Business and Sustainability” is one of the core modules for the two years’ full-time PGDM program. Besides covering general management topics, the institute is actively involved in holding national and international summits/workshops in the area of CSR & Sustainability and conducting short term programmes for executives of corporates and undertaking consulting assignments in the above mentioned area.

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Promoting Renewable Energy & Water ConservationPromoting Renewable Energy & Water Conservation

Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) is one of the major reasons for ill health among rural women and for diseases such as Otitis, Asthma, Low Birth Weight, Tuberculosis, Cataract, Maternal Mortality, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer etc. These diseases cause nearly 4.3 million people to die globally every year. It is found that there is a vicious circle between IAP and poverty. Poor health leads to increased health expenses, lower produce, and therefore, a decrease in income.

In this twenty first century, in India, the people in villages are still using traditional chullahs which uses wood, for cooking their food.

Women in villages spend approximately two hours every day collecting wood, which demands from them substantial hard work and time. Approximately, 86% rural and 24% urban households still rely on biomass fuels, (i.e. fuel wood, animal dung, crop residue etc.) which is the main cause of Indoor Air Pollution (IAP).

Before intervention of fuel-efficient chullahs, smoke and non-availability of wood were the major challenges for the community.

fUel-effiCient ChUllahs (stoves): the Way ahead

Key Facts• Around3billionpeopleacrosstheglobecook

and heat their homes using open fires by burning biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal

• Nearly4.3millionpeopledieprematurelyfromillnesses attributed to IAP due to use of household solid fuel

• InAfghanistan,Angola,Bangladesh,China,Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan, IAP is responsible for a total of more than 1.5 million deaths a year

• Nearly50%ofpneumoniarelateddeathsamongchildren, under the age of five, result from particulate matter inhaled due to IAP

• Morethan3millionpeoplein2005diedfromChronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease (COPD) that develops from exposure to IAP

• Bothwomenandmenexposedtoheavyindoorsmoke are 2-3 times more likely to develop COPD

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that pollution levels in a rural Indian kitchen is 30 times higher than the acceptable levels.

Source: WHO website

Challenges 1. People were not aware about the ill effects of smoke

on the health of women and children.

2. Traditional chullahs are generally fixed in one place, so cooking becomes a challenge during rain and summer.

3. The women spend over two hours collecting fuels, which results in drudgery.

4. Availability of wood is a problem during rains, resulting in an added expenditure of buying wood.

5. Most women, between the ages of 35-60 years, suffer from diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis and respiratory infections.

Implementation A detailed assessment for identifying the need of fuel efficient chullahs was conducted with the help of Gram Panchayats, existing Community Based Organisations (CBOs) like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Mahila Mandals, Farmer Clubs etc. A well planned Information, Education and Communication (IEC)

Outreach of Energy Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation Project in the Following Villages:

Programme Area Programme Villages No. of Chullahs installed

Dalmiapuram (Tamil Nadu) Kallakudi, Kovandankurichit, Vadugarpet, Melarasur, Natham, Palinganatha, Periyanagalur, Asthinapuram, Periyathirukonam

394

Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) Ottakovil West, Ottakovil East, Nallampattai, Thamaraikulam, Venkatramanapuram, Venkatrapuram

296

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) Nawabpeta, Chinnakomerla, Dugganapalli, Talamanchipatnam, Peddakomerla, Hanumantharayanipet, Bodapalli, S.Uppalapadu

270

Total 960

campaign was launched by DBGF, highlighting the benefits of fuel efficient chullahs over traditional chullahs through intensive product demonstrations, wall paintings, distribution of pamphlets/leaflets etc. The villagers, especially women, were sensitised on the harmful effects of traditional chullahs on their health as well as on environment.

Traditional chullahThe beneficiaries felt that fuel-efficient chullahs: Increased thermal efficiency and reduction in

cooking time by 50%

Reduced IAP by 60%

Reduced drudgery for women and children by 50%

Saved firewood and biomass by 50% leading to conservation of forests

Safeguarded women and children against health hazards Fuel-efficient chullah

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How much CO2 is produced by burning a kg of wood?The amount of carbon stored in dry wood is approximately 50% by weight. The CO2 molecule is composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. This means that1 kg of carbon on complete combustion will produce 3.67 kg of CO2.

Supporting Millennium Development GoalsFuel efficient stove tackling IAP will

• helpachieveMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs), in particular MDG 4 (which aims at reducing child mortality) and MDG 5 (which aims at improving maternal health)

• contributetogenderequality(MDG3)aswellas effectively utilize women’s time for income generation which will help in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger (MDG 1)

• helpcreatecleanhouseholdenergywhichcanhelp ensure environmental sustainability (MDG 7)

Source: WHO and UN-MDG website

Mrs. Maryammal (Village Kallakudi, District Dalmiapuram)

Maryammal, whose husband is a lorry puller, is now a happy homemaker with two children to take care of. She has been using a fuel-efficient chullah for the last five months and has many praises for the new technology. “I was using a traditional chullah which was made from sand. It would develop cracks use every month and also demanded huge quantities of wood, which is getting costlier by the day. I was spending more than Rs 500 per month buying firewood. But today, I can save more than 50% of that. I can also move the fuel-efficient chullah wherever I like. This helps during the summer and rains. My health has also improved due to reduction of smoke from the fuel-efficient chullah. I often praise the fuel-efficient chullah to my neighbours.”

Mrs. C. Pullamma (Village Peddakomerla, District Kadapa)

Mrs. Pullamma is a 58-year old agricultural laborer, who has three family members. She would earlier spend more than three hours collecting firewood for one day’s cooking and about two-and-a-half-hours for cooking meals. The smoke was also affecting her health. “It was difficult to manage the chullah because of wind flow. Now I cook my food in 40 minutes. Due to the fuel-efficient chullah, smoke has reduced to a great extent,” said a delighted Mrs. Pullamma.

Impact

Traditional Chullah Fuel-Efficient Chullah

Average consumption of wood per household per day : 5 kg

Average consumption of wood per household per day : 2.5 kg

Average CO2 emission per household per day : 1.835kg* 5 : 9.715kg CO2/day/household

Average CO2 emission per household per day : 1.835kg* 2.5 : 4.5875Kg CO2/day/household

Average cooking time per meal : 2 hours Average cooking time per meal : 1hour

Average time required for collection of firewood: 6 hours per week

Average time required for collection of firewood:4 hours per week

By distributing 960 fuel-efficient chullahs in 23 villages, DBGF has reduced emission by (4.5875 kg X960 chullahsX365 days) = 1576 tonnes CO2 per year, creating a huge impact on environment as

Sh. R.Anthony Das (Village Vadugarpet, District Dalmiapuram)

Anthony Das is a poor mechanic who barely earns Rs. 2000 every month. He says, “My wife was suffering from asthma because of the thick smoke coming out from the traditional chullah and on top of that, she was spending more than two hours cooking just one meal. Looking for wood was a challenge that she faced every day. Sometimes I could not earn for days because I had to help her to collect wood from the jungle. Thankfully, the fuel efficient chullah reduced all my problems. Now, it takes considerably less time and wood

to cook. My wife is happy and so am I. I am very thankful to the Dalmia Bharat Foundation for bringing this valuable change in

our life. Due to its countless benefits, I have also recommended the fuel-efficient chullah to my neighbor, Lily, who is also

very satisfied.”

well as human health. It has also resulted in saving time of thousands of rural women, which is now effectively utilized for their household work and livelihood.

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In Indian villages, a majority of households use traditional chullhas while a few use LPG cylinders for cooking. While traditional chullhas are harmful for health, LPG cylinders are non-renewable and expensive. Spending Rs 400-1200 per LPG cylinder is not financially viable for a majority of rural households.

Due to the agragrian practices in villages, the produce and the resultant by product can be judiciously managed to yield alternative renewable sources of energy.

Biogas is a fuel that offers huge potential as a substitute for cooking fuel. Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion with anaerobic bacteria or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste, plant material, and crops. This energy release allows biogas to be used as a fuel.

The DBGF initiated a project for installing biogas plants in collaboration with the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The following case study outlines the overall impact of biogas plants in the two districts of Tamil Nadu and one district of Andhra Pradesh.

ChallengesA detailed household survey was undertaken to identify farmers for setting up of boigas plants based on certain criteria. It was observed that almost 80% of the farmers were ignorant about the benefits and use of biogas technology. Lack of financial support emerged to be one of the major constraints for ignoring this low cost technology. Further, it was revealed that neither NGOs nor any other agency made efforts for promotion of biogas amongst the farming community. About 40-50 farmers were identified by DBGF team, under its Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation programe. After continuous efforts towards community mobilisation and awareness positive responses from the community were

Biogas, an alternative soUrCe of fUel

received by DBGF team. The first breakthrough model of biogas plant was setup in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. This biogas plant became a demonstration model for rest of the villagers and in the next six months 92 such biogas plant were setup in six villages of Kadapa district. In Dalmiapuram and Arilayur districts of Tamil Nadu, a similar campaign was initiated which resulted in setting up of 34 biogas plant in the villages. The partnership between DBGF, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhta Pradesh (NREDCAP) and beneficiaries proved to be the contributing factor for the success of the project.

Programme Area Biogas Plants Installed

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) 92

Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) 19

Dalmiapuram (Tamil Nadu) 15

Total 126

Details of Biogas Plants Installed

Biogas plant under construction in Ariyalur village

Impact The long-term impact of biogas plants resulted in creation of their own sources of permanent gas energy. This low cost rural technology helped the villagers in saving

Mrs. B. Prameelamma (Village Nawabpeta, District Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh)

B.Prameelamma is a 41-year-old who owns two acres of land. Though the land area is small, she owns four healthy buffaloes. Her annual income is approximately Rs 100,000. Before the DBGF’s intervention, she would cook food on an LPG cylinder. The expense of each cylinder, which lasted a month, was Rs 480. The cow dung generated from her four buffalos was entirely wasted. Since her biogas plant has become operational, she saves Rs 480, as well as money spent on fertilizer is now being used by her in other household works. A happy and satisfied Prameelamma says that she will recover her investment in just a period of 18-24 months!

Mrs. S. Sanjamma (Village Nawapeta, District Kadapa)

S. Sanjamma is a 58-year-old, whose husband is a farmer who owns 3.5 acres of land. She and her five family members are solely reliant on agricultural income, which is Rs 60,000 annually. They also own 5 milch animals (buffaloes). Before the DBGF’s intervention, Sanjamma cooked food on an LPG cylinder that would last one month. New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (NREDCAP) is a state government organisation that works as a pioneer in energy conservation. With the combined help from NREDCAP and DBGF, Sanjamma now has her own permanent biogas plant. “Thank you DGBF, for helping me save money and improve the quality of my life!” says Sanjamma.

monthly expenditure on procuring LPG. Agricultural and domestic wastes are now freely used by the villagers in these biogas plants. The construction of a biogas plant involves a one-time investment, which is not only financially viable, but environment-friendly as well.

Bio gas plant

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Promotion of solar lantern There is a wide gap between supply and demand of electricity, especially in the villages of India. Due to lack of available electricity, over 60% rural households use kerosene lamps which are expensive and have negative impacts on the environment while also posing dangers of fire.

In India, the number of sunny days range between 250 to 300 days a year. Solar lanterns can play an important role by providing a clean energy alternative to kerosene lamps helping to not only save money, reduce fire risk but also to eliminate pollution hazards.

ChallengesVillages near the Dalmia Cement Plant in Dalmiapuram and Ariyalur districts (Tamil Nadu) and Kadapa district (Andhra Pradesh), suffer from long power cuts at night. Some households in these villages still do not have electricity. Kerosene lamps and candles are used for illumination, for the purpose of cooking, studying and other household activities, effecting financial burden on the poor living in the villages.

ImplementationDBGF undertook an initiative to promote solar lanterns within the ambit of its Energy Consevation and Climate

Change Mitigation Project. It removes the reliance on fossil fuel-based products, eliminates environmental pollutants from the household environment and reduces the financial burden of buying kerosene oil and candles. In regions where solar lanterns have been introduced, savings on kerosene have been utilized in the education of children. It has improved the overall living condition of poor rural households.

Solar lanterns

Beneficiary using solar lantern in his shop (Kadapa)

A girl studying using solar lantern (Dalmiapuram)

Sh. I. Venket Reddy (Village Peddakomerla, District Kadapa)

42 year old Venket owns 10 acres of land and three buffaloes. It was difficult to feed his family of 8 members with an annual income of Rs 25,000. Two gas cylinders were consumed by his family every month, causing great financial burden on him. He had the good sense to construct a biogas plant on his land. This has helped him enormously. He saves over Rs. 1000 every month and says delightedly, “This is all

due to DGBF!”

Bia gas Beneficiary in village Ariyalur



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Sh. James Lusay, Village Kallakudi, District Trichirapalli (Dalmiapuram)

James Lusay is the owner of a small, roadside confectionary shop in Kallakudi village. He has a family of four. The best selling products of his shop are tiffin boxes and tea in the mornings and evenings.

He says, “At one point in time, I was closing my shop by 6 every evening because of the dark. It was difficult to see anything without light and my livelihood was getting affected because the bulk of my sale of tea and tiffin take place in the evenings. Due to the solar lantern, I am now able to keep my shop open till late at

night. My sale has increased by Rs 500 per day. It is so easy to operate and there are no additional costs. Upon seeing its benefits, I have recommended the lantern

to three of my friends.”

Mrs. Rajangam (Village Ottakovil, District Ariyalur)

53-year-old, Mrs. Rajangam owns a small, roadside hotel in Ottakovil village and assists her husband in cooking food and managing the hotel. Her annual income is Rs. 24,000. She says, “Due to long power cuts, customers were facing problems in eating food in the dark, but after we invested in the solar lantern, customers have become more comfortable while dining. I had been using kerosene lamps and candles previously, which was costing me approximately Rs. 200 per month. I am so happy to be saving all of it now.”

She will recover the investment in four months from the savings on kerosene oil and candles.

Programme Area Programme Villages No. of Solar Lanterns


400


184


335

Total 919

Outreach of Energy Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation project in the Following Villages:

Impact• Increaseinilluminationatnightduringpowercuts• Zeropollutionandnoriskoffire• Savingsindailyexpenditureonkeroseneoilandcandles• Improvedlivingconditionsofruralhouseholds

DBGF distributed more than 900 solar lanterns in 23 villages, helping improve the living conditions of villagers during long power cuts. The lanterns have helped reduce carbon emissions. This has further reduced financial burden by an average of Rs. 200 per month per household.

Mrs. K. C. Obulamma (Village Chinnakomerla, District Kadapa)

Mrs. Obulamma is a village development committee volunteer with an annual income of Rs. 36,000 and a family of six. She happily points out the benefits of a solar lantern. “It was difficult for my children to study at night during long power cuts. Also, poisonous insects, not visible in moonlight used to infect my children. It was also very difficult to do household work at night, especially cooking, but with the help of the solar lantern, all my problems have been solved.”

Obulamma was purchasing a dozen candles and two-litre cans of kerosene oil every month, causing an additional burden to her household expenditure. Today, she saves more than a hundred rupees a month. After experiencing the benefits of a solar lantern, she has recommended it to over six friends in her village.

Before Solar Lantern (Kerosene Lamp/Candle) After Solar Lantern

Low illumination High illumination

Ash after burning No ash

Black spots on wall, furniture and rooftop No pollution

Difficult to operate Easy to operate

Danger of fire No risk of fire

Not able to see food at the time of cooking and eating Proper visibility to do household work

Less working hours due to darkness Increase in working hours and income

Kerosene/Candle cost – Rs 200/month Solar lantern = Rs 1600 (a one-time investment)

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Providing electricity in rural areas has been a challenge for the Indian government. Solar power is the most easily available, renewable source, and the government has taken initiative in installing solar street lights in some villages in order to provide them with proper lighting.

Solar street lights are raised light sources, powered by photovoltaic panels, generally mounted on the lighting structures. Photovoltaic panels power a rechargeable battery, which provides energy to light up a fluorescent or LED lamp at night. Solar street lighting is an ideal application for non-electrified remote, rural areas.

ChallengesThe Programme areas of the DBGF are remote and often infested with poisonous insects. Visibility was a major problem because of lack of street lights and long power cuts. Many accidents were reported in the villages.

ImplementationDBGF identified the lighting problems faced by the rural community and took on the initiatives under its Energy Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation Project, installing solar street lights for continuous

lighting village streets: installing solar street lights

Sh. Sanjeeva Reddy

Sanjeeva Reddy, a 50-year-old agricultural labourer from Nawapeta village in Kadapa district says, “Street lights installed by the government were not working since the last couple of years. The community was facing problems while visiting the Sanjeevaraya Swami Temple, which is an important meeting point in our village. At night, it was difficult for children and women to walk about. About three months ago, DBGF

installed solar street lights in front of the temple which has completely solved this problem.”

lighting on important streets, community gathering points, temples and other places in consultation with the communities.

Sh. B.Sambha Shiva Reddy

B.Sambha Shiva Reddy is a 70-year-old agriculture labourer from Nawabpeta of Kadapa district also echoes the same sentiment of satisfaction.

The community is supporting the venture by providing their private land and by digging pits for the poles.

More than 80 solar street lights have been installed by DBGF by March, 2014.

ImpactIn the programme villages of Kadapa, Dalmiapuram and Ariyalur vantage points had neither lighting facility nor had any Government street lights. DBGF team identified these places and installed solar street lights making

Programme Area Programme Villages No. of Solar Street Lights


20


50


16

Total 86

Outreach of Energy Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation Project in the Following Villages:

Solar street light (Kadapa)

Villagers inspecting solar street light (Kadapa) Community street light (Ariyalur)


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available proper lighting even during power cuts. In the past, the community could gather outside only until the evening, but now they can remain out till late. Village women from

Sh. B. Subha Reddy

70 year old B.Subha Reddy is an owner of a roadside shop on a four-way street of Chinnakomerla village in the Kadapa district. He says, “As this street has a four-way crossing, the chances of accidents in the dark remained high. The location of the village temple makes this street a busy one. DBGF has done well for the community by installing the solar street lamps which light up automatically by 6 pm and switch off by 5 am. But there are many more places, I can think of in the

village, where the Foundation should install more street lights.”

Sh. Marrichandra Shekher

Marrichandra Shekher is a farmer and daily wage worker from Chinnakomerla of Kadapa district. His house is located in front of the M.P.U.P. School where DBGF has installed solar street lights. Shekher says, “It was difficult to walk at night. But the solar street light has changed all that. It provides good light to enable us to walk around the area, and for children to play, thanks to the Foundation.”

Kadapa district, who sell milk in the early mornings found it difficult to do so because of the dark, but now they face no problems and can sell their milk at any time.

Marrichandra Shekher stands beneath the solar street light, near the school of Chinnkomerla village in Kadapa District

Rapid urbanization in the last two decades is one of the major factors of unscheduled or scant rainfall, as is the adverse impact of climate change resulting in excess emissions of greenhouse gases. Problems of water resource management are becoming increasingly severe in most countries of the developing world. Water availability and management are both significant issues discussed all around the world and for the farmers, water scarcity translates into hunger.

Awareness generation and construction of check dams can contribute considerably towards conserving water.

A check dam is built to reduce the speed of water in streams and also to gather rain or river water in one place. Check dams can be built with logs, stones, or sandbags, across minor channels, rivers, or drainage ditches and can be either temporary or permanent.

The following case study demonstrates the positive impact caused by construction of check dams.

ConstrUCtion and renovation of CheCk dams

Challenges Discussions with farmers of Dalmiapuram district of Tamil Nadu revealed that more than 85% of the local community is dependent upon agriculture in the region. The water levels have drastically gone down to a depth of more than 600 feet in certain geographies, due to unchecked use of water for agricultural purposes.

It was found that the farmers were completely ignorant about water conservation measures. Soil erosion continued to be a grey area. While the government of Tamil Nadu was making efforts to increase the availability of water, not much was being done to save the flowing water. DBGF took the initiative and conducted field surveys for identifying the sites for construction of check dams.

Sh. Muthunapllai Rajendra (Village Melarasur, District Dalmiapuram)

Rajendran is a farmer who owns 20 acres of land of which he cultivates only 10 acres due to water scarcity. He grows crops such as corn, cotton, coconut, and vegetables like brinjal and tomato which require minimal water.

With the intervention of DGBF, Rajendra is now planning to grow cash crops as well.

A jubilant Rajendra says, “Construction of check dams in Melarasur will change the life of the entire village, especially of small farmers who do not have borewells on their land and are completely dependent on rain water.”

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Problems without Check Dam Benefits of Check Dam

No rain water storing facility Have at least one water storage structure in the project area

Dependent on ground water Less dependence on ground water

Less irrigation More irrigation

Wastage of rain water Proper utilization of rain water

Dry wells Recharging of wells

Low yield Increase in yield

Cultivation of only limited crop Cultivating a variety of crops

Low income Increase in income

Decrease in level of ground water Increase in level of ground water

Poor social status Improved social status

Construction of check dam at Melarasur village (Dalmiapuram) Construction of check dam at Ariyalur village

Community pond, Ariyalur

Implementation1. Focused group discussions with community

representatives, farmers and villagers with the aim of motivation and awareness creation.

2. Sharing success stories.

3. Identifying check dam sites.

4. Providing technical guidance.

5. Analysing the condition of existing small dams.

6. Construction and renovation of check dams.

ImpactThe construction and renovation of check dams directly benefited the rural communities of Dalmiapuram and Ariyalur by:

• Reducingwastageofrainwater

• Enablingstorageforlongperiodsoftime

• Preventingsoilerosion

• Re-establishingvegetationforgrazingpurposes

The villages of Dalmiapuram and Ariyalur are dependent on agricultural activities. After the construction of check dams, villagers can now water their crops regularly resulting in increased crop productivity. Besides using water for agricultural activities, villagers have started using excess water for their livestock and some of the farmers have taken to vegetable farming.

Water accessibility is an acute problem in rural IndiaWater resource management is of increasing significance in the districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh where water levels have gone down significantly. Farmers are not able to access water from available water sources, and water is difficult to find even at a depth of 600 feet. For farmers, water scarcity translates into hunger when drought results in damaging their crops.

Over the last two decades, excess greenhouses gases and rapid urbanization have led to unscheduled or scanty rainfall in the villages of Dalmiapuram, Ariyalur and Kadapa in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. More than 85% of the community is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Till recently, there was no facility of storing water. Soil erosion was a common phenomenon. The local communities were ignorant of the methods of water storage. Though the government of Tamil Nadu is making efforts to increase the availability of water, not much is being done to save rain water. Besides which, people are not particularly motivated to store rain water.

The following case study describes the initiative of Deepening of Existing Village Pond and Construction of Farm Ponds and the role of DBGF as a facilitator in implementing the project in these districts.

ChallengesTo reduce the problem of water shortage, it is imperative to conserve and utilize water resources optimally. Village and farm ponds, constructed at strategic locations can help store surface and sub-surface flow of rain water for future use. This

deePening of existing village Ponds and ConstrUCtion of farm Ponds

would also help in preventing over-use of ground water resources.

DBGF identified existing dry water sources which were not in use due to dumping of toxic waste. These water sources and the wells in Dalmiapuram, Ariyalur and Kadapa districts had been lying dry for years. After assessing and interacting with the communities, the Foundationstarted to support digging and deepening of ponds in the region.

Implementation

1. Group discussions with community representatives, farmers and villagers for motivation and awareness generation.

2. Sharing success stories of farm and community ponds.

3. Identification of project location and construction of new farm and community ponds.

4. Analysing condition of existing village ponds and de-silting work.

5. Clearing and cleaning water-spread.


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Status of Community/Farm ponds

DBGF contributed both technically as well as financially towards renovation and deepening of existing community/farm ponds.

ImpactThe Foundation has renovated a total of 109 ponds till March 2014. The renovation of existing ponds has resulted in storage of rain water which benefitted the farmers during the sowing season.

The renovated ponds resulted in increasing the productivity and recharging the ground water and dry wells, indirectly improving the socio-economic condition of the farmers.

So far, more than 100 farmers have benefitted from the construction of new farm ponds. These ponds increased the cultivated area which further enhanced agricultural productivity.

Sh. Sathapillai

Sh. Sathapillai is a happy farmer from Ottakovil village in Ariyalur District. He has benefitted from a 5-feet deep farm pond, under the water project of the DBGF. He says confidently,“Following the rains, I am sure I will be able to increase my income by

improving the yield from my land.”

Sh. Kandhasamy

Sh. Kandhasamy, is now a content farmer from Hastinapur village of Ariyalur district. His annual income is Rs 25,000 and he owns 3 acres of land. He also has a bore well on his land. Kandhasamy says wisely, “My investment of Rs 20,000 for digging my pond to a depth of 3 feet more will increase the yield of my field. I will recover my investment

within two years, with an increase in crop production.”

Village pond in Melarasur village of Dalmiapuram district, Tamil Nadu

Problems without farm ponds Benefites after farm ponds

Unused existing water sources Use of existing water resource

Dependent on ground water Less dependent on ground water

Inadequate irrigation Adequate irrigation

Wastage of rain water Proper utilization of rain water

Low yield Increased yield

Cultivation of limited crops Cultivation of every possible crop

Low income Increase in income

Poor health status Good health status

Decrease in level of ground water Increase in level of ground water

Dry wells in village Water in wells after rain

Poor social status Improved social status

Sh. Nagarjan Suresh

Sh. Nagarjan Suresh has 3 acres of field in Hastinapur village in Ariyalur. He takes care of his family of six with an annual income of Rs 30,000. Having benefitted from a 5-feet deep farm pond in his land, he says, “I can store rain water now which will help me to irrigate my land for longer period of time.”

DBGF also constructed the community farm pond at Nawapeta village of Kadapa after recommendations from villagers. This pond will help store rain water in the middle of cultivable lands and help the local communities to clean their milch animals, irrigate fodder plots, and prevent soil erosion during the rainy season and it also maintains the moisture level of the soil.

Thiruvankulam Lake after de-silting in Ottakovil village of Ariyalur district

Programme AreaDeepening of

Existing Community/Farm Ponds

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) 58

Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) 21

Dalmiapuram (Tamil Nadu) 30

Total 109

Community farm pond at Nawapeta village, Kadapa

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In India, the availability of water has been on a constant decrease in the last two decades. Water scarcity is forcing farmers to change their livelihood even though being a predominantly agriculture based economy.

In order to support the rural communities, the Foundation facilitated Drip Irrigation scheme of State Governments to take the benefit to the farmers.

Drip irrigation is a method that saves water and fertilizers by allowing water to drip slowly into the roots of plants, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters directly to the base of the plant.

The following case study describes the initiative of facilitating Drip Irrigation scheme of State Government agencies and the role of DBGF as a facilitator in implementing the scheme in two districts of Tamil Nadu and one district of Andhra Pradesh.

ImplementationThe Foundation joined hands with respective district departments to facilitate Drip Irrigation Scheme.

The Foundation identified 100 farmers in each district who fulfilled the basic requirement of possessing bore wells or wells with pump sets. Amongst these, more than 50 farmers gave their consent for installing drip irrigation.

driP irrigation

Programme Area Area brought under Drip Irrigation (hectares)

Dalmiapuram (Tamil Nadu) 15 hectares

Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) 18 hectares

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) 40 hectares

Total 73 hectares

Outreach of soil and water conservation programme

Sh. Rajendaran (Village Thamaraikulam, District Ariyalur)

Rajendran is a resident of Thamaraikulam village, where he lives with his family of 11. He is totally dependent on the agricultural produce of his 8 acres of land where he grows brinjal, onion, rice and sugarcane with the help of a pump set. His wife and other family members support him in the fields. He cultivates 4 acres with rice which is a water-intensive crop. Bringing water to the farms was a big challenge for him. To improve his family’s living conditions, he decided to join hands with the DBGF and allowed his 4 acres of land for drip irrigation.

According to Rajendran, with the help of the drip irrigation system, he is required to provide water for only 2 hours instead of the earlier 6 hours. He has saved not only on water, but labour and electricity costs as well. Before the intervention of the DBGF, he was earning Rs. 250,000-300,000 annually, while now he earns Rs. 400,000 per annum. A very pleased Rajendaran has vouched for DBGF‘s initiative and added that he shall easily recover his investment over period of 18 months.

ImpactBefore the launch of the Drip Irrigation Project, water scarcity was an acute problem which remains even today. But the farmers who have benefitted from this project now serve their entire agricultural needs with the same amount of water as before. Drip irrigation has controlled 50% wastage of water and electricity. Whereas earlier farmers were able to irrigate only half

of their land with available water, they now have doubled the area of irrigation with no change in the water availability. This has resulted in an increase in production and variety of crops such as chilli, cotton, corn sugarcane etc., thus leading to an increase in income. Besides these obvious benefits, drip irrigation also saves labour cost and physical labour. This project has also resulted in reduction of use of fertilizer and pesticides.

Drip irrigated land of Rajendran

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Sh. Chepati Lazaras (Village Duggamapalli, District Kadapa)Chepati Lazaras is a resident of Duggamapalli village. His only occupation is farming with

the income from which he looks after a family of 4. He owns 2.75 acres of land which he irrigates with the help of bore wells. He grows mainly chilli, cotton, rice and fodder.

About 8 months ago, after hearing about the positive results of the Drip Irrigation Project of DBGF, he decided to install it on his land.

He remembers – “I could never water my entire land earlier, but now it takes only 1/3rd of the time to irrigate the whole land. After DBGF’s initiative there has been a 20% increase in the total agricultural yield from my land. Now i also do not require any manpower to irrigate the land and have time to pursue other activities”.

His total annual income is nearly Rs. 80,000. He now expects to earn Rs. 100,000 this year. He plans to utilize the extra income generated in growing other crops, especially

cash crops and vegetables. His family is very happy with this initiative, since they now get time to spend with each other.

Before Drip irrigation After Drip Irrigation

Wastage of water Proper utilization of water/ direct water supply to crop

Takes more time Takes one-third time of earlier practice

Takes more human effort/labour cost

Takes less human effort/labour cost

Cultivation of limited crops

Cultivation of all possible crops

More electricity consumption/less and irregular power supply

50% reduction in electricity consumption

Irrigation of less field Doubled the irrigation area

Low Income Increased Income

Farm with drip irrigation facility

Chilli production by using drip irrigation system

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Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation 12th floor, Hansalaya, 15 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi - 110001www.dalmiabharat.com / www.dalmiabharatfoundation.org

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