Alwar Region, Rajasthan, India

Organization: Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS)
Project Leader: Rajendra Singh
Geographic Area: Rajasthan, India – desert communities
Links:
http://www.ashanet.org/seattle/news/apr2002/apr2002.htm
http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/community/ hindutemple/articles/Rajendracover.htm

In 1985, Rajendra Singh walked away from his wife and career, Buddha-style, and chose to live in the bleak, water-parched Alwar region of Rajasthan. Years ago, a feudal landowner had auctioned off the area's forests after realizing he would lose his rights to the land in an independent India. Thereafter, the rain skipped down the hills and valleys, eroding the fertile topsoil instead of seeping into the earth. The government was oblivious, and people were starving.

Inspired by Gandhian ideals, Rajendra and his organization, TBS, breathed new life into the dying custom of storing water in earthen dams. They organized villagers into shramdan, volunteer service, to build the traditional dams and plant trees. From the beginning, TBS insisted that it would not start work until everyone in the village was willing to contribute labor or money. In one case, a village took 5 years to come to consensus about starting the 6-month long project.

But once they do get started, villagers don't consider these to be TBS's projects; their own fingers are sticky with each slice of the pie-identifying the need and location, designing the project, starting the work, buying materials, keeping accounts, and making payments.

TBS also injects ancient rituals into new, eco-conscious negotiating frameworks. For example, it guides villagers through lengthy meetings until they all agree not to graze their cattle in newly-reforested areas. TBS calls this 'social fencing'-it only exists in the community's mind. With great fanfare, elders walk villagers through the entire 'fenced' area, sanctifying it with milk and holy water.

Rajendra does not see himself as the central node from which all else emanates; instead, he encourages villagers to train neighboring villages. Consequently, reforestation has generated forests and a wildlife sanctuary. Crop production in the affected villages has doubled; the government has endorsed and sought to replicate Rajendra's approach. And the inhabitants of over 1200 villages are licking their fingers in satisfaction.