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Tank
management by DHAN foundation
Mismanagement and neglect of more than 100,000 traditional tanks in
the Deccan plateau have led to the severe shortage of water. To tackle
this problem Development of Humane Action Foundation (DHAN), a Madhurai
based NGO has successfully initiated extensive tank regeneration programmes
with active community participation. Launched in 1992, the tank rehabilitation
programme has now spread to around 150 villages, giving rise to 165
Tank Farmers Association (TFA's) in Madhurai, Theni, Thiruvalluvar,
Villapuram and Ramanathapuram districts in Tamil Nadu and Chittoor
district in Andhra Pradesh. Villagers have responded positively by
contributing 25-50 per cent of the total cost of the projects. All
construction or repair work is under taken through TFA's. These associations
have executed physical work worth Rs 1 crore so far.
Table: DHAN foundation has defined the activities
that need to be undertaken for participatory tank revival and how
this can be achieved
|
Stake- building
and trust-building
|
Standardisation |
Integrated
tank system development |
Self-management
of tank system.
|
| Content |
Tank selection |
Farmers planning |
Catchment treatment |
Ongoing operation and maintenance |
| Formation of water users association |
Farmers implementation |
Integration with other tanks |
Endowment fund |
| Leader (s) |
System repairs |
Water management |
Institution building |
| Farmers contribution
|
Encroachment eviction |
Conjunctive use
and crop production |
Turnover |
| Process |
PRA methods |
Sharing of experiences |
PRA methods |
Review process
|
| Exposure visits |
Specific training
|
Handholding of
TFA |
Capacity building
training |
| Farmer sub- group
meeting |
System design and
implementation |
Integration of
catchment and command area farmers |
Setting up of self
renewal mechanism. |
Note: PRA : Participatory Rural Appraisal
TFA: Tank farmers Association.
Source: Making Water Everybody's
business |
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