Parastarai a model for water conservation in Dhamtari

 

 

 

Amidst the escalating crisis of declining groundwater levels, Chhattisgarh’s Parastarai village in Dhamtari district stands as a beacon of hope. Through innovative water conservation practices and community-driven initiatives, the village has successfully reversed the trend of groundwater depletion and achieved self-sustainable farming. Once identified as a groundwater-depleted area, Dhamtari district has undergone a remarkable transformation. The district administration’s efforts to promote water and soil conservation in Parastarai have yielded tangible results, inspiring nearby villages to adopt similar practices. To showcase this success story, Dhamtari is hosting a two-day International Water Conference on October 5 and 6 at Ravishankar Dam. The conference will highlight the farmers’ contributions in adopting crop rotation and sustainable agricultural practices to conserve water. The depletion of groundwater in Dhamtari was primarily attributed to intensive paddy cultivation during both Rabi and Kharif seasons. To address this issue, the Chhattisgarh government encouraged farmers to adopt crop rotation, which has proven to be highly effective.

 

Chhattisgarh is known for its generous Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers. Recognizing the need for water conservation, farmers in Parastarai have shifted to a single paddy crop rotation instead of the traditional twice-yearly practice. They have embraced pulses and oilseeds as alternative crops, which require significantly less water. Parastarai’s success has inspired neighboring villages to adopt water conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting, tree plantation, and plastic-free initiatives. The village’s collective efforts have not only improved groundwater levels but have also fostered a sense of environmental consciousness and community harmony. The depletion of water levels in Dhamtari began when farmers increasingly relied on borewells for irrigation, despite the availability of the Ravishankar Sagar Dam. Overexploitation of groundwater for paddy cultivation during the Rabi season vitiated the problem. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Jal-Jagar Abhiyan was launched in Dhamtari district to promote water conservation. Parastarai village emerged as a pioneer in adopting these practices, becoming a symbol of environmental stewardship.

 

Parastarai, a small village of 1500 people, faced a severe water crisis despite its proximity to the Ravishankar Sagar Dam. The villagers, inspired by the drying borewells and cracking land, took decisive action. With government encouragement, they implemented a fine system to discourage paddy cultivation during the Rabi season and promoted crop rotation. The villagers’ collective decision to prioritize sustainability over short-term gains has yielded remarkable results. By cultivating pulses and oilseeds as alternative crops, they have not only conserved water but also improved their economic viability. Farmers in Parastarai have discovered that cultivating pulses and oilseeds can be more profitable than growing paddy in terms of costs and prices.

 

This realization has further incentivized them to adopt sustainable farming practices. Parastarai’s success has inspired other villages in the district to follow suit. Ranwa, Khartuli, Potiyadih, Loharsi, Bagtarai, and other villages have started implementing similar water conservation measures. Beyond water conservation, Parastarai has also focused on environmental protection. Villagers have numbered and protected trees, banned plastic use, and fostered a sense of community harmony. These efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in crime rates and a peaceful environment. The improvement in groundwater levels in Parastarai and other villages is a testament to the villagers’ environmental awareness and the government’s support. Dhamtari district has emerged as a water conservation model for Chhattisgarh. The success of Parastarai has inspired the Jal-Jagar Abhiyan and encouraged other villages to adopt sustainable practices.