The Chambal badlands (comprising of gullies and ravines) are an extensive and striking topography, characterised by a rugged yet spectacular landscape, but with poor soil, lack of vegetation and dreaded dacoits that hid in the gullies and ravines, and where human survival is at stake.
Over the past three decades hundreds of dacoits gave up their life of crime and took to farming. This farming gave them a life of dignity, and they can now meet their needs and aspirations. Change is the villages is evident with each cropping season.
Many dacoits took to crime because farming was impossible due to water scarcity. With no other livelihood opportunities available, and no food on the table, they took to violence to feed their families.
The change from a violent to a non-violent way of life was possible due to their community-led rainwater conservation efforts, which recharged the groundwater, improved soil moisture, vegetation health, and healed the earth. Over the years, water conservation efforts led to a revival of small rivers, indicating a balance between groundwater and surface water. Villagers are now climate resilient. This dramatic change has been possible due to the sustained community facilitation efforts of a civil society organisation.
This work, spread across two districts and several small river basins demonstrates the impact of small, low-cost water conservations structures, constructed at appropriate sites, keeping in mind the local topography and the requirements of the villagers.
This paper will describe the environmental, social and economic benefits that accrued and the role of local knowledge and wisdom in finding equitable solutions for water security, which led to villagers living in dignity, peace and security. It will also describe the importance of sharing knowledge for building conviction and the importance of water security in improving GDP through green growth.
