Kotla is a village of district Mewat located at the foothills of Aravalis known for having one of the worst indices in the state in terms of availability of water, literacy levels and a score of other problems. When the Sehgal Foundation started to work here, we observed that the water problem loomed large and was a cause of grave concern. The seasonal stream in Kotla has a vast catchment area uphill as it lies very close to the Aravalis. With no obstruction in way, the water used to flow through the village streets bringing tonnes of small rocks from the hills and because of high gradient, no water percolated under the ground.

Understanding the situation in Kotla, the experts from the Sehgal Foundation suggested various solutions which could correct the existing problem. The community was involved in the discussions such that they understand and analyze the gravity of the problem and come up with ideas that can be studied in light with the available technological feasibility for implementation. The Foundation doesn’t believe in bringing an overnight change but ensures that all the interventions though small are firm steps in correcting the water problems.

To address the problem two check dams were proposed in the village. Community contribution was the most difficult task in this project but we went ahead with the project with whatever minimal contribution we received and the work was completed in June. Although the monsoon was not satisfactory this year but to our satisfaction we could harvest the rains to the extent that villagers for the first time in their lives noticed a rise of water table by 7 feet in the open wells.

In Kotla, the construction of two check dams has certainly improved the quality of water and increased the ground water table but the success is celebrated when the real beneficiaries i.e. the community speaks out on the benefits and recognizes the importance of the interventions. With this aim in mind we initiated a feedback mechanism to complete the full circle of development. One farmer whose tube well was more than 500 meters away from the check dam, reported that his tube well is now delivering sweet water which used to be saline previously and this could be possible because of the rain water harvested by the check dam.

Other prominent voices were as follows:

Mohammad Yaseen, “Bandh ke banne se umeed se zyada fayida hua hai.” (The check dam has benefited a lot. There was very little water in the Masjid well but the situation has improved beyond expectations.)

Haji Rasula, “Kehte to bahut se aadmi hain par mein to bandh ka fayida aapne bore se lagaya hai. Jo pani pehle kholi se utar jata thaw o ab bandh se ruk jata hai aur zameen ke neeche chala jata hai. Issse hume hi nahi kansali gaav ko bhi fayida ho raha hai.” (I have realized the benefits of a check dam through the increased level of my borewell. The water which earlier used to go waste in the streets now percolated down to the ground after the check dam in place. The underground water flow is also benefiting the other village of Kansali).

Shaukat Nambardar, “Mere bore mein paani to bada hi hai and main chahta hoon ki aage bhi aur bandh bane jisse paani ki samasya mein aur sudhar jaye.” (I have more water in my borewell and I suggest that more and more check dams should be put in place to further improve the situation.)

Jaikam, “Foundation ne job hi baandh banaye hain usse paani ki supply main seedha fark pada hai.”(The check dams built by the Foundation have directly impacted the water supply in the village. The water level in the borewells has increased.)

Following the principle of success builds success; the community is now asking to enhance the capacity of these check dams and start one more check dam at another site with their contribution.