Overview
In partnership with the Centre for Social Research (New Delhi), Embrace Relief (USA), and Time to Help (Germany), the Hope and Action Foundation has restored a traditional water conservation structure known as a Johad (pond) in Jhirandiya village, Alwar, Rajasthan. This women-led initiative aims to recharge the groundwater table, ensuring that the villagers’ water wells and electric pumps, used for extracting groundwater, remain functional—addressing the issue of water scarcity that has been causing these resources to become obsolete.
What is a Johad?
Johads are manmade earthen ponds surrounded by walls, designed to collect and store rainwater, which enhances groundwater percolation and recharges the water table. Native to Rajasthan, Johads are a traditional method used by the local population to mitigate the harsh effects of the Aravalli Range. By replenishing the water table, Johads reduce the need for residents to travel long distances in search of clean drinking water, thereby saving time and energy that can be redirected towards education, livelihoods, or leisure.
About Jhirandiya
Jhirandiya village is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, an area characterized by arid soils. Only 50% of the agricultural land is irrigated using tubewells and other sources like canals. The primary livelihood for the people of Jhirandiya is cattle rearing, with their income largely derived from selling milk and meat.
Need for the Project
The Johad (pond) had dried up decades ago, and villagers had started using it as a dumping ground for agricultural produce, extra household items, and other miscellaneous belongings. Portions of the Johad, a public property, were gradually occupied by villagers, with sections being claimed by individual families. The loss of the Johad gradually led to the following significant disruptions in the lives of the villagers:
- The dried-up Johad no longer facilitated the optimal percolation of rainwater to replenish the water tables, leading to the village wells drying up. Where villagers once accessed water by digging wells 350 to 400 feet deep, they are now forced to dig as deep as 800 to 1,000 feet to reach clean drinking water.
- The villagers’ cattle began to show signs of weakness due to the lack of easy access to water, resulting in reduced milk production and lower market prices for the animals when sold for meat.
- The lowered water table accelerated the desertification of the region, leading to increased temperatures and more frequent heat waves. As a result, villagers experienced a rise in health issues such as heat strokes, digestive disorders, insomnia, and lethargy.
Timeline
The entire project, from planning to inauguration, began in January 2024 and was completed within eight months. Although the physical reconstruction itself took only three months, it was preceded by an extensive educational campaign aimed at raising awareness among the villagers about the importance of Johads. This campaign included expert interventions, involvement of local government bodies such as Panchayats, and storytelling by conservationists about Johads. The life-changing benefits of restoration were communicated to the villagers through mock models and real-life case studies. At the end of the educational program, a recruitment drive was held to enlist women interested in paid work for the Johad reconstruction.
Planning
Extensive discussions and planning were conducted for the structural work on the Johad. This involved data collection and interactions by interns for livestock mapping, assessing the sustainability of the Johad, and evaluating the anticipated impact on women’s lives due to the upcoming rejuvenation efforts. The Secretary-General of Hope and Action Foundation, M Behzad Fatmi, along with team members from the partner organization CSR, made regular visits to the village to oversee the progress of the Johad project.
Inauguration
To commemorate the completion of the Johad restoration an inauguration event was held on August 28, 2024. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mr M Behzad Fatmi, Secretary-General of the Hope and Action Foundation; Dr Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research; Ms Seema Devi, Sarpanch of Jhirandiya, along with her husband Mr Ashok Kumar; and Mr Mohammad Alam, Gram Vikas Adhikari. The event was attended by approximately 150 people, including the Junior Engineer of the local gram panchayat, women from the Jhirandiya community, and residents from nearby villages such as Tehatda, Ichchaka, and Khedla. Men and children from Jhirandiya were also present.
The event featured speeches by visiting dignitaries on the significance of water conservation, the roles of women and the community in water management, and the historical impact of Johads in conserving water in the Alwar region. They also recognized the contributions of local women in successfully completing the project. The event concluded with the distribution of sweets and fruits to all attendees.
Impact 1: Water resources for village
The last time this Johad held water was in 1996, after which it dried up, causing the village’s drinking water wells to also run dry. Now, more than 25 years later, the pond is once again filled with water. This is expected to prevent further drying of the wells used by villagers for drinking water.
Impact 2: Ecological impact
The restoration of the Johad is anticipated to revive the surrounding greenery which will help reduce soil erosion. If the Johad is well maintained, the area around it could be reforested with trees, leading to lower temperatures and fewer heat waves, while also revitalizing local flora and fauna and restoring ecological balance.
Impact 3: Livelihood
Due to the lack of access to drinking water, the villagers’ cattle were weakening and dying, leading to reduced milk production and lower prices in meat markets. This had a significant impact on the villagers’ livelihoods, as cattle are a primary source of income. With the restoration of the Johad, the cattle can now easily walk through the fenced dam into the pond to drink water or bathe, improving their health and increasing their productivity.
Impact 4: Women’s financial empowerment
The entire reconstruction project was carried out by the women of the village, who worked as laborers, digging and building the embankment while earning daily wages as contractual workers. This initiative provided direct income to women, who are typically engaged in unpaid tasks like milking, husking, childcare, cooking, cleaning, and caregiving. As a result, many women in the village were brought back into the workforce. A total of 40 women were employed in this project.
Impact 5: Initiation of a local women’s collective
With no men from the village present during the Johad’s reconstruction, the women had an opportunity to interact, bond, and form a sense of sisterhood and friendship. This environment allowed them to discuss their shared struggle with domestic abuse. Encouraged by their newfound solidarity, the women began exploring ways to stand up for themselves. They decided to start by taking action against the local illegal alcohol shop. Together, they went to the Sarpanch’s house (who was also a woman) and, joined by her, walked 8 km to the Collector’s office (also a woman). They presented three concerns—unemployment, the presence of an illegal alcohol shop, and water availability—and requested immediate action. That same day, the Collector ordered the alcohol shop to be closed following due procedures, and it was promptly shut down.
Impact 6: Development of civic responsibility
Another significant impact of the project is that, since the village women managed the entire operation themselves, they are likely to have a strong personal and psychological investment in maintaining the Johad. They now recognize the importance of civic responsibility in the prosperity of Jhirandiya. This is crucial to ensure that the restoration isn’t just a one-time effort. The ongoing existence and proper functioning of the Johad are vital, as they will have a lasting impact on the local ecology and the lives and livelihoods of the people.
Outlook for the Future
Inspired by the success of the Johad restoration in Jhirandiya, Hope and Action Foundation is eager to initiate more local projects in rural areas that directly benefit the communities. We welcome donations from the public as well as volunteers to join us in our efforts. To donate, please click here. For volunteering opportunities or to learn more about our upcoming projects, please contact us at info@hopeandaction.in.
About Hope and Action Foundation
Established in 2021, Hope and Action Foundation is dedicated to combating poverty and supporting individuals who struggle to meet their basic needs. It is affiliated with the transnational civil society organization, the Hizmet Movement, which draws inspiration from the teachings of exiled Turkish Islamic scholar Mr M Fethullah Gülen. The movement encourages acts of kindness and service, regardless of the caste, creed, race, or religion of those in need. To learn more about us, please visit our website.
About Our Partners in this Project
- Centre for Social Research, New Delhi
Centre for Social Research (CSR) is a non-profit organization based in New Delhi, India was founded in 1983. CSR is dedicated to creating a violence-free, gender-just society through social research, capacity building and advocacy.
- Embrace Relief, USA
Embrace Relief is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based out of the United States of America which collaborates with volunteers to deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief to vulnerable communities around the world. In accordance with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Embrace Relief teams offer relief in the form of financial, emotional and physical support, in order to meet the needs of people ravaged by disaster and other misfortune. The foundation collects and distributes supplies to families, individuals and institutions.
- Time To Help, Germany
Time To Help e.V., Germany is a non-profit aid organization and was founded in 2006. The association, its volunteers, and its supporters fight against poverty and hunger with 7 independent Time to Help partner organizations in Europe. With their global network of partners and project offices in more than 20 countries, the organization’s emergency relief and development projects reach people in need in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The organization is supported by thousands of local helpers and coordinated by the international office in Germany.