Meet the Water Warriors Who Saved Many ‘Laturs’

As Maharasthra thirsts, water warriors in other parts of the country are finding creative ways to conserve water.

There are many innovative ways to avoid wasting water. (Photo: iStockphoto)

As parts of India face some of the worst droughts in recorded history and cities like Latur in Maharashtra receive emergency water supplies, here is a look at some water warriors who have helped their communities across the country.

Anil Joshi

In a drought-stricken village in Madhya Pradesh, Anil Joshi had an idea. The Aryuvedic doctor, whose patients included farmers with struggling crops, collected one rupee from one lakh farmers to be able to build a dam across the river Somli. Since the first dam, he has built another 11 dams and plans to expand his projects to help other farmers in need.

The farmers were so happy. As farms got irrigated there was a good crop that year after years of drought.

Anil Joshi, told the <a href="http://www.theweekendleader.com/Heroism/919/dam-man.html">The Weekend Leader</a>

A girl runs for cover from the rain as monsoon clouds gather over Madhya Pradesh. (Photo: Reuters)

Jaya Devi

Jaya Devi, dubbed “The Green lady of Bihar,” turned things around for her community when she set up a women’s self-help group in her region. Using money pooled together by the group, she was able to fund rainwater storage projects that brought relief to drought-stricken farmers.

It was really hard to reach this far. In a community where child marriage still prevailed, people were not literate and had no awareness about new methods of agriculture. Getting them on board to try new things and take charge was a challenge. But thanks to everyone’s support, we managed to do it.

Jaya Devi told <a href="http://www.thebetterindia.com/19868/green-lady-of-bihar-jaya-devi-rain-water-harvesting/">The Better India</a>

Aabid Surti

In large cities, plumbing leaks can waste millions of litres of water. One leaky tap alone can release 1000 litres of water a month if one drop falls every second, according to the Drop Dead Foundation, an organisation launched by Aabid Surti. In 2007, 80-year-old Surti launched the initiative to fix leaks across Mumbai in an effort to cut down the city’s water wastage. Over 8 years, the foundations work has saved 3 million litres of water, he says. And he does it for free.

Aabid Surti, founder of the Drop Dead Foundation. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Shyamjibhai Antala

A Gujarati man rehabilitated 7.5 lakh wells in Saurashtra after helping farmers develop rainwater capturing systems. Excess rain water was directed towards wells that had been dry for many years.

Initially Shyamjibhai Antala led by example, capturing water himself, but as farmers saw how successful his efforts were, they began implementing the systems themselves.

When villagers saw the results, there was no stopping them. What is important to me is giving power to the people so that they feel energised enough to take care of their own lives without external help.

Shyamjibhai Antala told <a href="http://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/miracle-man-20612">Down to Earth</a>

Children wash their hands in a partially dried-out natural pond at Badarganj village, in Gujarat. (Photo: Reuters)

Chewang Norphel

More than 70 percent of farmers in the Himalayas rely on glaciers for water, but climate change is rapidly threatening these crucial water sources. In an effort to save water, Chewang Norphel, of Leh, created man-made glaciers.

He collects icy glacier run-off above farmers fields. The frozen blocks begin to melt in April, when farmers start the growing season and need water. The runoff flows into the fields months before natural glaciers begin to melt.