Sand Bag Check Dam a case of successful mobilization of community resources against climate variability

Abstract

National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture has given an opportunity to several KVKs to demonstrate climate resilient agricultural practices in the context of the challenges faced by vulnerable communities due to climate variability. The project has also provided a platform for vulnerable communities to address crucial climate related issues often encountered by them. Although the project prescribes modular approach to address climate variability challenges, there is enough scope for development of interventions and their implementation at grassroots level. This has infused new enthusiasm among the communities as it is promoting several initiatives that are helping to build the community capacity. Thus, the KVKs are able to harness the latent energy present in the community by awareness building and facilitation. These processes are also significant in bringing lasting changes within the communities since they are imparting a sense of ownership among the members of the communityIn this publication, we bring out a story of successful community participation in identifying, acting and sustaining the outcome of a unique intervention. The focus here is not on the technology but on how a community was enabled to adopt a practice that would eventually make them free of water scarcity both for human and livestock consumption and agriculture. The story also narrates the cascading effects of the success and prosperity the collective efforts of the community have brought along. It was indeed a valuable learning experience for all those who were associated with implementation of interventions, monitoring of progress and documentation of overall outcome. Although this is a very simple intervention, it has the potential to bring several changes both in material prosperity and mindsets. We wish that this publication spreads the simple idea of harvesting runoff in seasonal streams by laying across low cost check dams and making vulnerable communities a little more resilient to the impending risks of climate variability.