‘Jharnadhara’ Programme

Government Partner: State MGNREGA cell, Dept. of Rural Development, Govt of West Bengal

Funding Partners: Arghyam and BRLF

CSO Partner: PRASARI.

Technical Partner: ACWADAM.

BRLF came together with Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Cell, Department of Rural Development, Govt. of West Bengal and Rajarhat PRASARI on 1st April 2017 with an objective to rejuvenate the drying springs across the northern Himalayan blocks in four districts (Darjeeling, Alipurdar, Kalingpong and Jalpaiguri) of West Bengal. The project was backed by the technical expertise of ACWADAM, an organisation that would mentor in shielding the programme. The major components of the project included science-based aquifer mapping, field surveys, scientific analysis, facilitation and building community decisions on sustainable usage and utilisation of springs. 

The quality of springshed management activities is ensured by synchronising knowledge with action and exemplifying government-civil society camaraderie in guaranteeing natural resource based assets. In addition to this, we ensure community engagement, transferring understanding and creating ownership of the natural resource based assets to the spring dependent people.

The project rejuvenated 294 springs by leveraging massive resources through MGNREGA. This pilot project not only aligned the government resources towards building durable and sustainable assets for community members but also provided a scope for joint advocacy and learning. The project leveraged Rs. 937.22 lakhs through MGNREGA and created 2,64,938 person days of work.