During the 114th edition of his monthly radio program, “Mann Ki Baat,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the remarkable efforts of women from a Self-Help Group (SHG) in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. These women successfully transformed wasteland into a thriving “Fruit-Forest” while also conserving a local pond. The Prime Minister highlighted various initiatives aimed at water conservation, specifically recognizing the contributions of Jal Sahelis from Chhatarpur district. He emphasized that, in some regions, women’s empowerment significantly boosts water conservation efforts, while in others, effective water management strengthens women’s empowerment.
Who are Jal Sahelis?
The Jal Saheli group in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, is a community initiative aimed at empowering women and promoting water conservation. Formed primarily by women, the group focuses on various aspects of water management, including harvesting rainwater, improving water quality, and ensuring sustainable use of water resources.
Through their efforts, the group has contributed to improved water availability and quality in their region, enhancing the livelihoods of local families and fostering a sense of community responsibility toward environmental stewardship.
Revival of a pond
Located just 12 kilometres from the district headquarters, Khonp village in Chhatarpur tehsil is part of the arid Bundelkhand region. The women here, dedicated to water conservation, truly deserve recognition for their efforts.
“I recently learned about two inspiring initiatives from Madhya Pradesh, particularly the remarkable efforts of women in Khonp village, Chhatarpur. When a significant pond in the village began to dry up, these women took the initiative to rejuvenate it,” said PM Modi.
Sandeep G. R., a former Chhatarpur collector who is now the District Magistrate of Sagar, started the initiative three years ago and got the local women involved in water conservation efforts.
“We cleared the silt from the pond to deepen it and planted approximately 2,300 fruit saplings across 6 acres of land,” a member of Hari Bagiya SHG told ANI.
Last year, Ganga Rajpoot from Chhatarpur received the National Award for Water Warriors from the President. In her village of Chaudhary Khera in Bhoyra panchayat, severe water scarcity was compounded by a superstition that anyone who attempted to revive the local pond would lose their descendants. Despite this belief, Ganga’s commitment to water conservation shone through. A region that faces frequent droughts and water-scarcity, these efforts mark a way for conservation of the environment.the Self-Help Group in this commendable effort.
The women of the ‘Hari Bagiya’ Self-Help Group (SHG) removed a substantial amount of silt from the pond and utilized it to cultivate a thriving fruit forest on previously barren land. The Prime Minister highlighted that their dedication not only revitalized the pond but also led to a significant increase in the yield from the fruit forest.
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