Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India

Organization: Gramin Vikas Navyuvak Mandal (GVNM)
Project Leader: Laxman Singh
Geographic Area: South Asia
Link: http://www.changemakers.net/journal/02february/sen.cfm

The Green Revolution bypassed Laporiya, a village at the edge Thar Desert of Rajasthan. After independence in 1947, community water harvesting structures became government property. Bureaucratic mismanagement and community disengagement ensued. Soon, harvests fell, well-water dropped 50 ft, and people started leaving in droves.

Laxman Singh learned water harvesting from Rajendra Singh (no relation) and eventually adapted Rajendra's model of community development to fit Laporiya's needs. Laxman, descended from local royalty, threw all the weight of his status behind convincing the villagers to cooperate with his 'neo-traditional' schemes.

His organization, GVNM, helped residents re-build and maintain catchments, reservoirs, and ditches customized for the local topography. To support this water harvesting infrastructure, GVNM also established village councils that now tackle upstream water quality issues like erosion by imposing strict fines against tree-cutting.

Importantly, Laxman linked water-conservation to desiccated religious traditions that emphasized the sanctity of natural resources; for the villagers, this language is much more vital than bureaucratic jargon. Today, the village is dotted with small shrines next to each tank. Major deities like Shiva, as well as lesser ones, like the goddess of infectious diseases, guard the water.

GVNM's methods have spread to empower over 200 nearby communities. Crop harvests have multiplied 12 times, and out-migration has dropped sharply. But the government has yet to recognize the community councils and their authority over the irrigation infrastructure. This calls into question the long-term sustainability of GVNM's work and is the focus of its near-term efforts.

Meanwhile, through his innovative reframing of religious traditions, Laxman has successfully adapted his mentor's methods to fit the needs of his district. The religious feeling he has tapped into exists all over India; indeed, Hinduism is notable for its flexible response to new interpretations. Outside of Laporiya, so many parched deities are still waiting to be recast in pro-environment terms.