Introduction 

Watershed management has emerged as an important intervention for supporting natural resource based livelihood mean in different agro-climatic regions in India and Gujarat. This case study is discussing the high level of community participation in watershed management. This programme is being implemented by the District Watershed development Unit, Amreli under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). This intervention created an awareness and participation among women residing in the rural pockets of Amreli, which had empowered them to play a positive role in holistic development of themselves and the society. The user groups and self-help groups were also closely associated with economical issues, thus directly contributing to the economic and social development of Sanaliya village under Liliya Taluka, Dist. Amreli.

 

Role of Women 

Women have played an ‘invisible’ role for a long period of time in the economic development of rural areas, as they have been perceived as helpmates, wives and mothers, and as generally subservient to the dominant economic work of men, both in farming and outside it. The Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in micro watersheds have received much attention from the policy makers and others for their perceived ability to contribute significantly to the economic growth and poverty alleviation. These groups are homogenous groups having common interest who are dependent on the watershed area such as: landless laborers, agricultural laborers, rural women, shepherds, scheduled castes/tribes etc. Around 50 per cent of villagers who are directly or indirectly dependent on watersheds should generally be enrolled as members in the SHGs. Evidences show that the SHGs are formed mostly for Women-oriented activities.

Fig.2 : STUDY AREA: IWMP 7 (Batch II) Sanaliya Village, Liliya Taluka, District Amreli

District Watershed Development Unit,(DWDU),Amreli in its endeavor had facilitated the SHG “Shree Jee Self Help Group” in Sanaliya village lies under Kutana Cluster in IWMP-8 (Batch 2) in Liliya Taluka.

• Name of SHG: Shree Jee Self Help Group 
• Number of Members: 14 (ALL WOMEN) 
• Date of Formation: 26/07/2011 
• Status of Participants: APL Mission: To enhance and strengthen economical status of members. 

 

Introductory Level

At the very first stage of planning process of the cluster, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), was done with the help of the villagers and the Watershed Committee, in which a special meeting was held only Women in which information regarding SHG was put forward, and its members were decided duly on democratic pattern, after that SHG nomenclature was done, and the name of SHG "Shree Jee Self Help Group" was coined.

 

Activities Chosen

After the formation of the SHG a meeting was carried out to choose the activity(s) under the supervision of WDT-CME and Nodal of PIA and in this meeting the members were asked to interact with each other and to discuss what activity(s) to be carried out in the SHG. The thing which came out of the discussion was that to make different kinds of Home decoration handicraft as it was a tradition over here to gift it in marriages and other auspicious events. The members also said that there is a vast opportunity of selling these items as there is an availability of local market demand for these items.

 

Pre Activity Work

Before starting the Handicraft Activities a proper well structured training session was needed. The SHG members of Shree Jee SHG decided had undergone a comprehensive training in the nearby village of Godavadar. A local trainer is employed for the purpose. The SHG members went on to training in the day time and practiced the same at night. The training was organized for a month to enable them to gain expertise. The trainees of the SHG were certified by DWDU Amreli.

Fig.3 : Training to SHG	Fig.4 : SHG Members Practicing at Common Place
Fig.5 : Training and Practicing session of Handicraft Making by SHG Members

Fig.6 : Training Certificate Distribution

Fig.7 : Training Certificate Distribution

 

Post Activity

After the training and practicing session for one month the SHG members were now quiet familiar as well as well expertise with SHG activities as well as Handicraft making. Later on they started selling the handicraft items on small scale. Later with the increased familiarity and demand they went on to join hands with the "Ramapir SHG Group" functioning in "Bhurakhiya Village" under IWMP-10,Chhabhadiya Cluster to open a Handicraft selling shop near the famous "Bhurakhiya Hanuman Temple" which use to sell the handicraft items from different villages. It sells the products on Commission basis. The shop was opened on 11/02/2013.

Fig.8 : Handicraft Selling Shop at Bhurakhiya Hanuman Temple, Bhurakhiya Village, Lathi Taluka

 

Handicraft Store 

“The SHG’s participated in Gram Haat organized at Ahmedabad on 28/02/13 to 02/03/2013 and they sold items worth Rs.6000.Taking together of items sold at Amreli and Ahmedabad it constitutes of Rs.17000.”

 

Conclusion

The whole program not only made the women of Sanaliya village economically established but also boosts up Self Confidence and now they can achieve a greater responsibility in Society. The most pivotal thing to be marked here is the Decision Making role of them, in their socio-economic life. Indeed their success can be summarized as a role model for other Watershed intervene Livelihood activities.


Contributors: DWDU Amreli, Nischal Chudasama (Technical Expert)

Motivation of Youth by DWDU

The approach of Integrated Watershed Management Programme(IWMP) is completely based upon Participatory module, which includes Community Participation, Village Institutions, Enhancements of Productivity, Sustainable use of natural resource and Equity in distribution of benefits.

Livelihood approach under IWMP too focuses on sustainable rural livelihoods development through scientific and integrated watershed development approach so as to preserve the natural resources as well as enhance the socio-economic condition of the rural people especially those who are jobless and asset less people. Ecological Balance is the prime focus of IWMP and maintaining the Socio-Ecological phenomenon is the utmost important of the current era. Day by Day trees and other plants are being cut down by the human being and it had led to serious challenges against the nature. Obviously, IWMP understands these vagaries of nature and therefore is involved extensively in ecological restoration along with social strengthening.

Taking Inspiration from this programme, under District Watershed Development Unit, Amreli (DWDU, Amreli) a SHG of Youth has been formed named; "Navrang Yuvak Swaysahay Juth". This SHG works in SALADI Village, under LILIYA Taluka.

STUDY AREA: SALADI VILLAGE, LILIYA TALUKA, AMRELI.

SHG FORMATION

During the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) activity in Saladi Village, several Youth of the village enquired about IWMP and DWDU works. After that they showed interest in forming a SHG of their own interest, with DWDU facilitation. A total of Eighteen(18) young man formed a SHG which was named as ; "Navrang Yuvak Swaysahay Juth". Registration No: 20/9CG-December-2011. It was decided at the very first meeting of the group that a monthly sum amount of Rs.50 will be taken from all the members for SHG savings

ACTIVITY CHOSEN

Village Saladi is mainly an agriculture based income generation village with people engaged in various kinds of agricultural, animal husbandry activities along with afforestation activity was also needed, as procured from PRA and survey done by DWDU. Also, the youth of the village were nature lover and they took keen interest in Plantation and Gardening.

TRAINING

For any activity to be carried out successfully, there needs to be a proper training session to be conducted, so that a better knowledge could be gained for the people involved in that particular activity. A training cum exposure visit was being conducted for the NAVRANG YOUTH SHG on 17/12/12 for which they visited the "Hill Nursery" in Chavand, under Lathi taluka. The SHG was well trained with Nursery raising technique as well as concept of Green House.


Training of the Rural Youth

The training also emphasized on certain factors in nursery raising like

• Site Selection
• Soil Selection
• Plastic Bag for Sapling
• Plant type
• Fencing etc..

WORK OUT

After proper training of the youth, the group started to work out on the nursery raising. First of all a proper safe site was chosen where there should be availability of electricity, water, as well as safety could be maintained. They hired a nearby land on rent in the village itself (80x120 feet) the land was already fenced from three sides so the SHG needed only one side to fence the nursery plot. After that soil from nearby pond was brought according to nursery requirement. The SHG worked day night harder to bring out the nursery in good shape.

Within six months the results were seen clearly as plants were now being grown on large basis.

MARKETING

The SHG till date has sold out many plants locally in the village, and the neighboring villages. The local people from the nearby villages and Taluka are now being aware of the nursery. The SHG is working hard to get in touch with more and more people, to sell out there products. Till now a total plants of value Rs.1500/ had been successfully sold out by this NAVRANG SHG,who once were unemployed and idle.

Contributor: Nischal Chudasama and DWDU, Amreli