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India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
IIM Raipur rural conference sparks push for village-led green growth in Chhattisgarh
IIM Raipur, in partnership with the Tribal Research Institute and Chhattisgarh's Forest and Green Governance departments, held the 5th India Rural Colloquy focused on rural-led green development. The event, themed 'Harit Arthvyavastha: Villages Leading Chhattisgarh's Green Economic Transition', brought together policymakers, students, local leaders, and idea was clear: villages must play a bigger role in India's shift to a green Sanjeev Parashar, Director-in-Charge at IIM Raipur, said the aim is to connect research with ground realities. 'Over 60% of India's population lives in rural areas. Development has to include them,' he opening session, titled 'Locality Compact for Green Economy Transition', included voices from female sarpanches, farmers, and rural entrepreneurs. They raised concerns about water shortages, harmful use of fertilisers, and the loss of traditional farming Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Niharika Barik, said the focus is now on local solutions. 'People in the villages are not just beneficiaries, they are implementers. The government must support, not control,' she Singh, another senior official from the department, highlighted the importance of women-led development and local management of water, soil, and forest Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Good Governance and Convergence, said the green economy must be treated as a survival issue. 'It's not optional. Clean air, water, and soil are the basics. We must act locally to make it happen,' he discussions explored topics like value addition in farming, digital tools for rural use, and reviving indigenous knowledge. Farmers, youth leaders, and experts spoke on the need for better awareness and practical training in sustainable Chief Minister Vijay Sharma closed the event by urging institutions to take these discussions forward. 'This is not just a conference. We need action in the field. Villages must lead the change,' he event made it clear that if India wants to build a green economy, it must start with its villages.- Ends advertisement
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Over 56,000 people trained in water conservation techniques in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has launched an ambitious grassroots initiative titled 'Mor Gaon Mor Pani' (My Village, My Water) under which till now more than 56,000 villagers, panchayat representatives, and field workers across Chhattisgarh have been trained in water conservation techniques, officials said. The campaign was launched on Panchayati Raj Day (April 24, 2025), and aims to reverse the alarming decline in groundwater levels across districts like Bemetara, Bastar, Surguja, and Raigarh. According to Jaldoot App data, villages such as Khari Gram Panchayat in Bemetara have seen water tables drop from 1.9 meters in 2024 to 5.1 meters in 2025—a trend mirrored across thousands of habitations. 'The Panchayat and Rural Development Department has divided the state into 626 clusters to streamline implementation of the campaign. So far, 56,112 individuals, including villagers, elected panchayat representatives, officials, and field workers, have undergone training in water conservation and resource management,' said Principal Secretary Niharika Barik. Barik further said that in 9,053 Gram Panchayats, current groundwater levels are being publicly displayed through wall writings to spread awareness. Meanwhile, 7,607 Panchayats have held rallies, cultural events, and slogan-writing campaigns to engage citizens in the cause. Officials said that many effective water conservation techniques are implemented under the campaign to tackle the rural water crisis, which include construction and renovation of water bodies such as stop dams, check dams, recharge pits, ponds, and farm ponds to enhance groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting. Village-specific water management plans are being developed using GIS-based mapping of traditional and potential water sources. Public awareness is being raised through wall writings displaying groundwater levels in villages and over 56,000 individuals, including officials and villagers, have been trained in sustainable water management practices. 'Recognising the pivotal role of women in resource stewardship, the campaign is working closely with Self Help Groups (SHGs) to lead the charge at the community level. The program also incorporates GIS-based mapping to identify and plan around existing and potential water sources. Village-level action plans are being tailored to local topography for maximum impact,' Barik added. Under convergence with MGNREGA and allied schemes, the government has drawn up 37,090 water-related projects for 2025–26 which include stop dams, check dams, pond renovation, recharge pits, and farm ponds—with all works scheduled under a time-bound employment-generating plan. Ground activity has already commenced in every Gram Panchayat. In a parallel campaign, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', the state plans to plant 13 lakh trees this year. District-level preparations are underway to support the effort, officials said. Each village will also set up a Water Conservation Committee, responsible for project execution, monitoring, and community coordination. Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas are at the center of decision-making, ensuring grassroots involvement, Barik added. Officials said the state is currently facing a serious water crisis due to excessive groundwater extraction, climate change, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Districts like Dhamtari, Bemetara, and Raipur have reported a sharp decline in groundwater levels, primarily because of over-dependence on borewells and water-intensive crops like paddy. Uneven rainfall patterns and reduced natural recharge have further worsened the situation, affecting both rural and urban areas, officials added.
