Jaldoot 2.0: 2019 – Present
The success of Jaldoot 1.0 inspired the second chapter Jaldoot 2.0. Financed by the Atlas Copco Charitable Foundation, the project assists villages in regenerating dried-up water sources. The project sought the help of Sevavardhini to approach rural communities. Sevavardhini is a known NGO in the sustainable development sector, and more than 200 local NGOs are associated with it. The project forged partnerships with 21 local organizations in 19 districts of Maharashtra. Further, 25 villages were selected, and 43 barefoot water messengers (Jaldoots) were identified across these villages for the project.
Training for Jaldoots
These barefoot messengers known as Jaldoots have undergone extensive technical training programs about water, soil, geology, agriculture and allied business, net planning, etc. Their training comprised 22 diverse activities, and to name a few, these activities included:
- Calculating water tables
- Plantation drive
- Measuring well’s water levels
- Grafting a rain gauge and measuring precipitation
- Acquiring pumping test for wells
- Generating maps of village stratigraphy
- Natural resource identification and their social conflicts
The training modules helped Jaldoots understand different spatial commodities and hone the skills to become technologically sound in watershed management. The training enabled them to have a techno-savvy approach towards every task they undertake. They also created an online repository of water levels of observation wells and precipitation data for the year 2020-21. Also, it helped them to establish a village water management committee at the community level for generating Village Water Safety and Security Plan (VWSSP).
Jaldoot 2.0 – Four-phased Project
Phase-III: Surveys, Field Work, and Preparation of VWSSP: The third phase is almost concurrently driven with the training. And the Jaldoots are spearheading the processes that can pave the way for the creation of the VWSSP. This phase includes two major survey initiatives, such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Socio-Economic-Surveys (SES). Also, faculty members are imparting the training, and a technical mentor is assigned to each village.
Phase IV: Project interventions: In its fourth phase, the project Jaldoot 2.0 aims to complete one project intervention in each selected village that has been identified and budgeted. As per the original plan, project works were planned for 13 villages before the monsoon of 2020.
