Project Summary

Drinking water has been central to any developmental agenda in Kutch due to its hydro-geology and arid climate conditions. In Phase I of this project, Sahjeevan demonstrated the potential of local water sources in drinking water security, even in drought years.

Phase II included capacity building at the Gram Panchayat and Pani Samiti level to develop self-reliance in water governance. The Pani Samitis were strengthened in order to effectively undertake the regional planning and governance of drinking water supplies and resources. The convergence of government schemes for drinking water security was explored under the project for evidence-based advocacy on the preferential pricing of local water with the state. Groundwater protection frameworks, developed by the Panchyathi Raj Institutions (PRIs) was also implemented.