Gurgaon, India, September 30, 2003 – Phase I of a check dam being constructed in Ghaghus with Foundation assistance, has been completed. The check dam is located in the foothills of the Aravali Range, just outside Ghaghus. Ghaghus depends on water from the hills to recharge local wells and for irrigation.

The average annual rainfall in the Ghaghus area is 500 mm, much of this coming during the monsoon season. Effective harvesting of this water is therefore essential, and until recently has been neglected. The result is falling groundwater levels, increasing concentration of salts, and disappearance of local flora. Uncontrolled rain water run-off from the hills can also lead to shallow flooding of local villages during the monsoon season.

The problem of rain water run-off in Ghaghus has been largely neglected since 1996, when an earthen dam was essentially washed away by insistent rains. In 2002, the Foundation helped repair the earthen embankment.

In April 2003, the Foundation organized a community meeting to discuss the water situation in the village, including issues of ground water depletion, decreasing water quality, and diminishing surface water availability. At this time the Foundation proposed the construction of a check dam.

In the implementation of the check dam project, a “ridge to valley” approach was taken. “Ridge to valley” water management takes accounts of all stages in water flow from hilly regions down to the valley. In other words, care is taken to address the issue of water from the source to the end-user.

As part of the “ridge to valley” approach, the Foundation proposed the construction of gabions, “gulley plugs” and a masonary check dam to better harvest the rainwater run-off from the hills. Gabions are loose stones covered with wire mesh placed at various intervals along the gulleys through which water flows to the valley floor. Gully plugs are un-meshed loose dry stone structures with the same function as gabions. Both structures slow the water speed, leading to greater percolation into the ground, decreased silt load and soil erosion, and ease management of the check dam.

The check dam structure contains the rain run-off from the gulleys. Check dams typically comprise a large natural or excavated water storage area, and a masonry containment structure. Depending on whether or not the dam is also intended for groundwater recharge, the storage area can be lined. At Ghaghus the storage area is 1.75 km and can contain up to 108,000 kilolitres of water.

The Ghaghus check dam project was undertaken with the Village Water Committee. Water management experts advised on the project, and work was superivised by the Foundations resident engineer and Water Management program leader. The total cost of the check dam at completion is estimated to be Rs. 900,000, and is financed by the Foundation with a contribution in cash and in kind by the village.

Phase I included completion of the gabions, gulley plugs, and a loose dry stone containment structure. The villagers agreed to a certain contribution of labour, minimal cash, and of dry stones collected from the local area. The stones were layered with grass, before being covered by a polythene sheet. The sheet was then covered with soil and further stones. The resulting water-tight dam was in place by the time the monsoons began in July. Ghaghus is now enjoying the benefits of this water harvesting project. Phase II of the project will be to replace the polythene and to complete the masonry work on the dry stone.

For further information please contact:

The Sehgal Foundation
Dr. (Ms) Ellora Mubashir;
289, Sector 17A,
Gurgaon, Haryana-122001, India