Not so long ago, Dahod District situated in Western India was
covered with dense forests - a home for tigers and elephants.
The tribals of the region earned their livelihood from the forests.
For the last fifty years there has been immense natural resource
destruction and inappropriate management leading to loss of biological
diversity. The organization Sadguru Water Development Foundation,
an NGO, established in 1974, dedicated itself to the betterment
of rural and tribal people by helping them make better use of
available resources, appropriate technology and participatory
managerial practices. The aim is to help the tribal people break
away from the vicious circle of poverty and once again restore
the lost natural resources. By making best use of available water
resources and demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits
of afforestations and watershed development, Sadguru Water Development
Foundation has reversed the exodus of tribal people forced out
from their land by drought and erosion. This is bringing in new
prosperity and a potential impetus for environmental improvement.
It has transformed large semi-aird area into lush green fields
where once again interdependence between humans and nature has
started. |