Project Summary

The Himalayan region receives high rainfall. However, most of it is concentrated in the monsoon season leaving local communities struggling for access to potable water during other times of the year. This meant that the women, who were primarily responsible for fetching water, travelled long distances braving the odds of high gradient due to the mountainous terrain for fetching water for household purposes and livestock. Arghyam supported Himalaya Seva Sangh (HSS) to institutionalise community based water supply systems to ensure perennial water availability. This was done by tapping the existing water harvesting structure. The project’s key components were:

• Ensured adequate water supply system around the year on sustainable basis.
• Ensured safe drinking water to the people of that area.
• Built the capability of the community to manage their drinking water system
• Awareness was imparted on hygiene practices leading to better health and hygiene among the households.
• Ground water recharge, spring rejuvenation and soil erosion control.
• Created a network of partners who were facilitated to work in their respective regions to ensure water security and improving hygiene practices.

The project ensured improved access of water for women, who did not have to travel long distances in a hilly terrain to access water for day to day use.