A remarkable achievement has been brought about in Alwar district, Rajasthan over the last 20 years. Several hundred seriously drought hit villages have now become self-sufficient to meet their water demand. All this have been achieved due to launching of community based movement towards floral, faunal and water conservation by the NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS). 
 

Measures adopted

 
Over 200 water harvesting structures have been built in the catchment area of rivulet, Arvari. For this technical help and 75% of the total cost was provided by TBS and remaining 25% cost was beared by villager’s either in form of cash or labour (shram daan). 
 

Benefits 

• These structures have replenished ground water and increased the water table, enabling the Arvari to flow perennially again. The length of the river is 40 km. 

• Degradation of the catchment has been checked. 

• Increase in crop productivity 

• Constitution of a coordinating body, the gram sabha to carry out water and forest conservation activities. 

• Reduction in seasonal human and cattle migration. 

• Increase in live-stock production. 

• Increase in non-farm employment. 

• Overall development in terms of food, clothing, shelter and literacy. 
  
  Source: Community based Conservation at Bhaonta-Kolyala , Rajasthan, India. (Kalpavrikh, New Delh, Pune & IIED London)