The Hindu : National : Self-help in full flood, monsoon is no worry in these border villages

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 03, 2005

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National

Self-help in full flood, monsoon is no worry in these border villages

Luv Puri

The people not only prevented floods but also reclaimed 300 acres of land

CONTRIBUTING THEIR MITE: Villagers along the India-Pakistan border pooled their resources to prevent floods. They were able to save several acres of agriculture land from inundation. — Photo: Luv Puri

NIKKI TAWI (INDIA-PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL: Even as flood-affected people elsewhere are looking to the government and other relief agencies, residents living along the border adjoining Pakistan's Sialkot district have crafted a success story of exemplary self-help.

This year the people in seven villages with a population of 10, 000 not only warded off floods but also reclaimed several acres of agriculture land, washed away in the past.

For decades, life in this belt was insecure, with floods displacing people every year. During monsoon,scores of people lost their lives in the swollen Tawi. Many bodies were recovered in Pakistan and sent back. Flood prevention schemes failed and led to migration.

Society formed

In the absence of support from authorities, the locals became active in flood management. In 1999, a group of villagers formed the Tawi Welfare Society. The idea was locals were familiar with the terrain and would chalk out a flood prevention scheme. Every person from a village with more than 1000 families was asked to contribute. On payment of Rs. 100, one could become a member of the association. And with a paltry Rs.25,000, a project was initiated.

R.C. Gupta, main motivator, quit a senior position in Oriental Insurance to devote all his time for the project. He led a group, which met geologists and forestry experts, gathering information about the type of plants that could be grown on the banks of the river.

Plantation drive

After a survey, it was decided to discard eucalyptus trees — popular with the State Forestry department — as they decrease soil fertility. jamun, lychee, neem and promenade were grown. In the next five years, a massive plantation drive was started and the locals volunteered their service. Every person was allotted duty: some planted trees, while others watered them

And now the once barren Nikki Tawi is lush green with trees lining the banks of the river. The efforts have not only prevented floods, but also reclaimed 300 acres of land

While people in other areas along the belt are threatened by the rising water level, Nikki Tawi residents have nothing to fear.

Recently the society was given the best NGO award by the State Government.

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