Natural Resource Management Programs

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Dungarpur was once a forest-rich region, with around 64% of its area covered by arid forests teeming with diverse wildlife. However, due to pressures from industrialization, population growth, and, to some extent, governmental negligence, the forests faced alarming depletion, leading to a critical situation for the tribal community. By the 1980s, forest cover had dwindled to a mere 4%. Not long ago, the tribes relied on the forests for their sustenance, purchasing only essentials like matchboxes, clothes, and salt from the market—what they called Rookda Baswi in the local Wagdi dialect, meaning 'tree God.' The community’s dedication to preserving these vital natural resources was recognized, leading to the identification of minor projects in community forestry aimed at restoring these areas. The loss of forests had induced panic and a chronic depletion of resources among locals, prompting the need for effective natural resource management strategies. After extensive discussions with the communities, 3,500 hectares of common wastelands were transformed into village-level forests. A total of 48 sites were replenished with plantations across 43 villages, resulting in the planting of approximately 19 lakh saplings. These micro forests ensured the supply of fuel, fodder, and timber, which were managed, maintained, and protected by the community. Additionally, the community initiated plantation on private lands, creating forests across about 500 hectares and planting around 9 lakh saplings in 58 villages. PEDO also organized numerous campaigns against deforestation and the government's apathy towards forest protection and regeneration. These efforts have fostered better vigilance and oversight regarding tree felling in the forests, further advancing watershed development and sustainability.

PEDO has successfully implemented three watershed development projects across 22 villages, focusing on essential activities in Natural Resource Management. These initiatives include: 

Drainage-line Treatment 

- Gully plugging & loose stone check dams (1130 UNITS) 

- Earthen Dams (11 Dams) 

- Farm ponds (17 Ponds) 

Water Harvesting & Groundwater Recharge 

- Masonry Check Dams (13 Masonry Check Dams) 

- Sunken ponds (3 ponds) 

- Well Recharging (45 Wells) 

- Renovation of old structures (3 Masonry Dams and 4 Earthen Dams) 

- Field Bunding and Terracing (500 Hectares) 

These efforts not only enhance watershed development but also support Community Forestry initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and resource management in the region.

The Empowering Women Farmers through agriculture-based livelihoods project has organized women farmers into producers’ collectives, enhancing their knowledge and skills while creating accessible support systems. This initiative enables a greater and more strategic role for women in agriculture and allied activities, ultimately impacting and strengthening the livelihood base of the poor. Furthermore, the project incorporates principles of Community Forestry and Natural Resource Management alongside its focus on Watershed Development. It has established multiple village-level farm schools through trained agriculture and livestock resource persons, known as Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi. This initiative is implemented in 95 villages across four blocks of Dungarpur District (Aspur, Simalwar, Dungarpur, and Bicchiwara), benefiting 14,700 women farmers, all spearheaded by 240 Krishi Sakhis and 8 Pashu Sakhis.

Soil and water conservation projects are crucial to prevent the loss of water and fertile soil due to a shorter yet intense rainy season while also conserving water for the dry months and replenishing depleting groundwater. In this region, rainfall occurs for about three months, leaving the remainder of the year completely dry, which leads to single crop farming systems. The hilly topography exacerbates the situation, causing significant erosion during the monsoon. In rain-fed regions, this paints a grim picture of poverty, water scarcity, rapid groundwater depletion, and fragile ecosystems. Key concerns include land degradation from soil erosion by wind and water, low rainwater use efficiency, high population pressure, acute fodder shortages, poor livestock productivity, and underinvestment in water use efficiency, compounded by inadequate marketing opportunities and poor infrastructure. Thus, the challenge in rain-fed areas lies in improving rural livelihoods through participatory watershed development and integrated farming systems that enhance income, productivity, and livelihood security sustainably. Effective natural resource management emphasizes that soil and water conservation, watershed development, and efficient water management are essential for the sustainable development of rain-fed areas. The watershed approach has been embraced as a significant strategy for developing these regions, focusing on conserving natural resources—water, soil, and vegetation—by mobilizing social capital through community forestry efforts. Treatment of land has been carried out from the hilltops down to the water flow streams.

The Participatory Approach to Human and Land Resource Development (PAHAL) PROJECT ran from 1991 to 1995, with PEDO as the lead NGO. This initiative was grounded in the principles PEDO developed over the years for reclaiming wasteland and fostering Community Forestry by creating small forests as common property resources. Initially known as the Dungarpur Integrated Wasteland Development Project (DIWDP), it was sponsored by the government of Rajasthan and SIDA. The project's goal was to enhance green cover across common wastelands throughout the district. PEDO managed the initiative in 60 villages across two blocks, focusing not only on forestry and wasteland development but also incorporating components of agricultural and livestock development. A key aspect of the project was its emphasis on planned Natural Resource Management and the active involvement of the community, ensuring ownership of the developed regions.

Over three years, PEDO undertook 76 projects to rejuvenate lift irrigation units, playing a crucial role in Natural Resource Management. These initiatives benefitted 11,650 families and irrigated 5066 hectares of land, significantly contributing to local Community Forestry efforts. Furthermore, all of these projects were handed over to the community for maintenance and equitable sharing of water, aligning with principles of Watershed Development.