Jala Vikasam” a Water Conservation Movement in Andhra Pradesh

500 villagers joined their hands and matched their steps to build better tomorrow

Jala Vikasam (Water Development) a popular integrated development program in the drought affected districts of Andhra Pradesh was initiated by Bala Vikasa during the year 2000 to help the rural communities to fight the multiple and interlinked problems arising due to continues and increasing drought in the state. The aim of the project is to renovate the abandoned and less effective traditional water reservoirs constructed by the kings centuries ago. The main activity of the project is to excavate the silt from the reservoirs and apply it in the farms to improve the soil fertility.

 

The project have multiple, instant, assured and lasting benefits in social, economical, environmental, traditional aspects etc. of the rural communities. With very little cost and efforts maximum benefits are enjoyed by different sections of the rural communities. Utilising the existing infrastructure with no requirement of technical expertise makes the program most economical and effective. Since the program is relevant to the times and needs of the region the movement is fast spreading. Due to effective and efficient approaches of Bala Vikasa the movement was spread into more than 500 villages taking part in renovating more than 325 irrigation tanks. Soil fertility increased in 32,500 acres by application of 13,00,000 tractor loads of silt. Water levels increased by 20-30% in thousands of wells around the renovated tanks.

Apart from other contributions, the economic contribution of the beneficiaries is 70% and the NGO is 30%. This is a very rare proportion of cost sharing in implementing the community development programs. This indicates the importance, need and relevance of the program.

Jala Vikasam programme of Bala Vikasa is one of the first of its kind massive community-based water movement in Andhra Pradesh. This highly successful initiative of the Bala Vikasa is revolutionising the water conservation systems at the village-level.

 

The state government too started the program during the year 2002 as they realized the importance of the program but could not continue due to financial and political reasons. The then chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr. Nara Chandra Babu Naidu visited one our project to encourage Bala Vikasa and the farmers of Inavole village who were implementing the program on a record level in the state.