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DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMMES
OPERATION SAHAYATA - I
The Thar Desert covering Western Rajasthan is the most populated desert of the world. The districts of Western Rajasthan are drought prone with high frequency and intensity of droughts. The people of the Thar Desert experienced what is called TRIKAAL; i.e. the disappearance of the three life sustaining resources : water, food and fodder. An analysis of past 100 years indicates that the districts of Western Rajasthan had 46 drought years: 12 very severe, 12 severe, 11 moderate and 11 mild. The adverse effect of this TRIKAAL lasts for years and the catastrophy due to TRIKAAL facing the people of the Thar is like an octopus getting its grip around the pray; multi-pronged, firm and fatal. No civilized society should remain a silent spectator to such a tragedy. It is unfortunate that even after independence the areas affected by drought and its intensity are increasing and no long term solution has been found. The natural resources supporting livelihood have diminished to a catastrophic level. The demand of resources far exceeds the carrying capacity of the land. The main causes are the ever increasing human and animal population and scant attention given by the state to regeneration, preservation and conservation of natural resources.
During the drought of 2002-2003, the Trust with financial support from Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai launched Operation SAHAYATA with the aim of providing subsistence to the most needy people and animals in the worst affected tehsils of Jodhpur district. Sir Ratan Tata Trust had sanctioned a generous grant of Rs. 3,814,000/-. The Trust provided safe drinking water in remote areas of the desert by drilling 21 hand pumps at a cost of Rs. 8,81,858/-, distributed 515 tones of cattle feed and fodder at subsidized rates incurring an expenditure of Rs. 16,05,676/-; organised 8 veterinary camps at a cost of Rs. 36,292/- treating 4780 animals and rain water harvesting works to the tune of Rs. 9,91,000/- were carried out which also provided employment to ensure economic security and relief to the needy.
OPERATION SAHAYATA – II
During 2003-2004, the region received near average rainfall which brought back some smile on the suffering populace. But this was followed by yet another drought as the monsoon failed during 2004. Realising the consequences of such a repetitive natural calamity, His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust once again approached to Sir Ratan Tata Trust to provide much needed succour to the needy, who most graciously sanctioned a grant of Rs. 24,85,000/- for Operation Sahayata II. The Trust provided total relief of Rs. 37,37,743/- by providing drinking water (hand pumps & nadies), cattle feed , animal health care and, food security. For providing safe drinking water, 13 hand pumps in Balesar, Shergarh and Osian areas were provided at a total cost of Rs. 7,04,460/-. For supplying drinking water to remote places in saline ground water region the Trust contributed an amount of Rs. 50,000/-. To supplement drinking water for animals three nadies/water harvesting structures : first at village Tepu in Bap Tehsil, second Chhittar ka Talab and the third one at village Keru were desilted/upgraded; incurring an expenditure of Rs. 8,02,679/-. A total of 319.50 MT of Saras Dairy cattle feed was distributed at subsidized and uniform rates incurring an expenditure of Rs. 19,00,287/- covering 41 distribution centres. The Trust organized 16 veterinary camps treating 31,546 animals at a total expenditure of Rs. 1,44,012/-. Mineral mixture was distributed to obviate malnutrition which could lead to mortality. To obviate starvation during the droughts the Trust provided food security to destitutes mgost of whom were above 70 years of age. 6300 kgs of wheat and 325 kgs of dal were distributed incurring a total expenditure of Rs. 50,507/-. The Trust also generated limited local employment on works executed during Operation Sahayata II.
OPERATION SAHAYATA - III
During the Year 2005-06 the monsoon once again failed as was in 2004-2005 which compelled the Trust to once again approach Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai who most generously sanctioned a grant of Rs. 26,58,000/- for launching a relief programme. The aim was to provide subsistence to the most needy people and animals in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, on selective basis, to cover remote areas with a view to sustain as much as possible, the socio-economic status of the affected people during the drought of 2006. The project activities were started during March 2006 and completed by 31st August, 2006. The policy laid down and followed during Operations Sahayata I & II were followed during Sahayata III as well. For wider publicity the Trust ensured that information about the relief works is covered by the print media. In addition printed leaflets were also distributed. The Trust worked in close cooperation with the Panchayat Raj Institutions and the community participation was ensured.
Providing Drinking Water
(a) Hand Pumps : Against the approval of 14 hand pumps, 20 hand pumps were drilled at a total cost of Rs. 9,24,500/- ( Rs. 6,72,000/- from Sir Ratan Tata Trust & Rs. 2,52,500/- from His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust/Community).
(b) Construction of Tankas : During Operation Sahayata III, it was decided to motivate the community to construct tankas, where the ground water is too deep/not available, or in saline ground water belt so as to harness rain water for drinking purposes as also to provide a good size drinking water storage capacity to be filled by tanker, once the harvested water is spent. It was considered the most economic method of ensuring water security. As the communities were explained the unique advantages, the demand for financial support increased. It was also seen that wherever the govt has provided community tankas, they were neglected and were not being maintained and were mostly under disuse. Hence, it was decided to provide tankas to individual families who undertook the responsibility of construction and maintenance. They also signed an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper stating that they will not deny drinking water to anyone. All the documents were countersigned by the Sarpanch of the Panchayat and witnessed by two individuals and so announced in Gram Sabhas. The selection of site was done by the Gram Panchayat and approved by the Trust. The Trust issued the plan of construction with written guidelines to the individuals which were followed. The Trust also gave a uniform financial support of Rs. 20,000/- to each tanka. By so doing, a total of 27 tankas have been constructed against the approved 14 at a total cost of Rs. 12,86,165/- ( Rs. 5,39,750/- from Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Rs. 7,46,415/- from the community/His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust). This has been a great success as the tankas will last for many years thereby providing a long term water security in remote areas.
(c) Construction of Open Wells ( Berries) : Looking to the success of provision of open wells in the dry river bed, the Trust approved construction of two more open wells on persistent demand of the community. Two open wells as planned have been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,11,320/- ( Rs. 65,000/- from Sir Ratan Tata Trust & Rs. 51,320/- from community / His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust).
(d) Deepening of Existing Open Wells : Two old open wells which had gone dry were taken up for deepening : one at Rawalgarh and the other at Gopalsar. The community at Rawalgarh were advised to opt for an anicut for which a suitable site exists, but they were disinclined to do so as they felt that it will block the passage for their cattle going into the open pasture in hills. Eventhough by deepening this well, they have struck water, they have been informed that the well will dry up unless they agree to and construct the anicut. They are expected to see the light of the day during summer 2007. The deepening of well at Gopalsar was abandoned, as it was found that a hand pump drilled in that area had not been a success. The amount saved was transferred to construction of open well as the site at Judia turned out to be not as good as the other and the water level was found much lower than other places.
(e) Desilting of Nadies : The Govt had accorded high priority for desilting nadies as it provided employment as also contributed to harvesting surface rain water which is the need in the desert. Nadies are the most suitable water hole for livestock and animals and immensely contribute to conservation of groundwater. CAZRI has propagated an improved design to reduce percolation /evaporation as also silting. These works were executed through the Panchayat Raj Institutions. The Trust, therefore, , did not take up these works mainly for want of funds.
Livestock – Health & Nutrition
(a) Cattle Feed: This being the second consecutive drought, there was an increased demand from the farmers. The Trust had proposed distribution of 540 MT of cattle feed which was approved by Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Against this target, the Trust distributed 491 MT of cattle feed. The Trust is a registered dealer of Saras brand of cattle feed produced by Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation. In the beginning, the rate fixed by them was 5.25 / kg which was subsequently increased to Rs. 5.90 / kg. The Trust had publicised and ensured that rate of distribution was same irrespective of the distance and means of communication to the distribution point from Jodhpur. To ensure this, as was done during Operation Sahayata I & II, the transportation cost was borne by the Trust. Distribution of cattle feed was much appreciated by the community, as it has good nutritional value and increased the milk yield which helped combat malnutrition among children and adults alike. As the monsoons, literally failed, with no rains till mid August, the demand for cattle feed persisted, but the Trust was not able to meet their demand as the funds had exhausted.
(b) Veterinary Camps : The Trust, in close cooperation with the Animal Husbandry Department of the Govt, organised 33 veterinary camps. It immensely helped in combating malnutrition, and diseases. Infact, at one time, there was a sudden outslaught of sheep pox and hemorrhagic septicemia , among goats and sheep and a number of animals perished before the Trust could be informed The Trust mobilized all resources and with the help of the Animal Husbandry Department, was able to arrest the mortality. Help of Panchayat Raj Institutions was taken to identify the effected population and veterinary treatment rendered in time. The Trust ensured that all animals brought to the camp were immunized. The Trust also distributed 3.5 quintals of mineral mixture (saras) and vitamins and minerals to ensure animal do not abort due to malnutrition. The Trust also launched an awareness programme to use mineral blocks and wheat straw mixed with urea and molasses to make the fodder more nutritional. In addition to veterinary camps, livestock was treated where needed on day to day basis by our Veterinary doctor during his visits to villages. Thus provided much needed insitu treatment to sick animals. A total of Rs. 1,13,154/- was spent by the Trust against the planned budget of Rs. 1,20,000/-.
Food Security
A large number of applications were received through the Panchayat Raj Institutions. The Trust tried to verify the information given and found that they were all not destitutes. It was difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, but efforts made by the Trust produced acceptable results. 62 individuals were provided food security by distribution of wheat and lintel at a cost of Rs. 1,12,500/-.
Employment
Due to various physical interventions carried out, limited local employment was generated, resulting in livelihood security for the needy.
Monitoring & Evaluation
All relief activities were planned, executed and monitored by the Trust. Participation of the community and Panchayat Raj Institutions was ensured. Mr. Kiran Petare was deputed by Sir Ratan Tata Trust to visit the affected area who was satisfied with the relief works as also with the transparency, and equality in rendering help. During his visit, people greatly appreciated the help being rendered by Sir Ratan Tata Trust & His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhji Charitable Trust and submitted their additional demands for consideration of the Trust.
Giving support to the needy to sustain their livelihood gives immense satisfaction. The Trust achieves actualization through kind and generous support of donors to whom we offer our grateful thanks.
OPERATION SAHAYATA – IV
From 17th August to 20th August, 2006, an unprecedented heavy and continuous rain caused an unimaginable fury of floods, washing and destroying all that came in the way of a huge wall of water, totally submerging some of the villages in Barmer and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan. The inhabitants of the Thar Desert had not even dreamt of such a heavy downpour. All the infrastructure facilities of the area such as roads, powerlines, telephone lines, water supply system and interventions such as hand pumps, tankas and village nadies created over the years were destroyed. The magnitude of devastation can be gauged from the fact that in Barmer District alone out of a total of 1615 villages 55 villages were severely effected by the floods; totally destroying 27970 houses, severely damaging 92005 houses and killing 98526 cattle/sheep/goats 112 persons lost their lives in the catastrophy.
Because of Gypsum layer at a shallow depth followed by layer of Bentonite clay, the percolation of water was limited, resulting in huge water bodies with floating corpses. This had its own severe adverse effects. Health of humans and animals were effected causing diseases like malaria, diarrhea etc.
Initially, considering the plight of people of Barmer district the Trust sought support from various organizations/philanthropists to provide emergent relief to the needy by providing healh & preventive medicines, shelter, food security and veterinary cover. But as Government & other likeminded NGOs gave immediate relief in form of rations, tents, tarpaulins, durries, utensils and fuel oil, the Trust, after assessing the conditions prevailing and based on the interaction with the people by His Highness Maharaja Gajsinghji; launched Operation Sahayata – IV jointly with Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai in Balasar Gram Panchayat of Shiv Tehsil of Barmer district with the aim to provide dwellings of permanent nature comprising of two rooms to the families whose houses have been totally destroyed / washed away.
The Trust after carrying out proper survey and taking the stock of the actual devastation decided to construct 111 houses in 5 villages of Gram Panchayat Balasar, viz. Balasar, Likri, Suwala, Mangani and, Ruganada. All these houses are being made of stone and stone slabs (patties) comprising of two rooms with a plinth area of 25 x 11 ( 275 sq. ft). The construction work is being supervised by the “Punarwas Samiti” ( Rehabilitation Committee) comprised of representatives from all villages representing different castes under guidance and monitoring by the Trust. Each dwelling is estimated to cost Rs. 69,000/-. The State Govt has provided a relief of Rs. 6,000/- and the Trust with support from Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai and other philanthropists will provide Rs. 35,000/-. The balance amount will be contributed by the individual being the labour component.
As some of the houses destroyed were located in low lying area, a new site for them was selected on a high ground and a new village: Shri Hanwant Nagar has come into existence. The land has been provided free of cost by the State Government.
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