Water Scarcity
Despite the continuous water crisis, the government and civil society’s responses appear indifferent, prompting CORO’s intervention to mobilise communities and secure resources for sustainable solutions.
About The Campaign
Water is indispensable for life. In Western Maharashtra, inadequate and inconsistent rainfall has devastated crops, leading to dried-up wells and prompting seasonal migration to cities in search of menial work. Sadly, the government and civil society seem indifferent to the plight of the parched rural population. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing restricted access to education, health, and nourishment due to the water scarcity crisis.
Campaign Approach
In every village, residents shoulder the responsibility of surveying existing groundwater retention structures, strategizing additional construction plans, and mobilizing necessary funds. CORO plays a pivotal role in facilitating this process, driving social change by engaging key stakeholders within the village and broader system.
Campaign Impact
50%
women in management committees
20%
Village land converted for groundwater retention
28L
INR in government funding secured
What We Do As Part Of The Water Scarcity Campaign
Empowered villages champion fair and equitable water resource management, advocating for government schemes with a focus on prioritizing the rights of women and children.
Hydrogeological & socioeconomic surveys
With the support of our technical partner, ACWADAM, the land of each village is thoroughly surveyed to design a tailored groundwater management strategy. CORO’s also conducts socioeconomic surveys to inform our people-centric strategy.
Collective village funding
In each village, a fund management committee (gramkosh) is initiated with equal numbers of men and women as active participants. This committee is responsible for managing the money for the rainwater harvesting initiative, having a dedicated bank account, and also being an inclusive, collective decision-making platform for the village’s endeavours to harvest rainwater.
Groundwater retention structures
Men, women, and youth in each of the villages volunteer their labour for one hour every day for the benefit of their communities. They dig ditches, construct check dams, and prepare fields for maximum rainwater harvesting.