Manjoliya village, located 3kms from the block headquarter in Sakra has seen a remarkable feat of pond rejuvenation by its community members. One of the village’s rain-fed ponds, surrounded by 60 Scheduled Caste households, had turned into a dumping space for household waste over the years. Its catchment area experienced severe clogging due to growth bursts of water hyacinths during monsoons. This frequently damaged crops of neighbouring agricultural fields. PHIA Foundation influenced the village CBO to make constructive use of the pond through new livelihood initiatives. 5 SC families invested INR 45,000 to clear the pond and start fish farming. The Dept. of Fisheries extended technical support to the farmers for increased production. To further diversify livelihood avenues for the villagers, 600 fruit and timber saplings including guava, mango, blackberry, mahogany and sagwan timber were planted in an acre of land adjoining the pond. Community members are taking care of the plants by watering them on a regular basis and protecting them from the animals. A water inlet and outlet pipe have been proposed as an ICRG structure in the pond to regulate the water flow and prevent flooding of neighbouring fields and damage to crops during rainy seasons.
Glimmer of hope – Compensation & linkages
Bablu Hansda s/o – Mangal Hansda, a resident of Hirapur village, Shikaripara block of Dumka district was working as a casual paid labour (CPL) in 51 RCC, Himank Project of BRO on Karu Tangse Road at Ladakh. He suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away on 23rd July...
