How one woman became the water guardian of a Gujarat village

In the heart of Gujarat’s Mahesana district lies the village of Bhunav, where Payal Ben Vikram Bhai Patel is making waves in the area of water conservation. At 31 years old, Patel has taken on the formidable task of securing her village’s water future. Over the past four months, she has become a dedicated bhujal jankar (groundwater expert), a beacon of hope and leadership, inspiring her community to embrace sustainable water practices. Here is her story in her own words:

My journey into water conservation began with a simple motivation. I wanted to ensure that my village, Bhunav, would never face water scarcity. But my ambitions didn’t stop there. I dreamed of becoming a “water teacher,” someone who could pass on my knowledge to others and make a tangible difference in my community. Although the opportunity to earn an additional income for my family was a practical incentive, what really drove me to take this up was my passion for water security.

Also Read: Thar villagers revive ponds to tackle water scarcity

I started my journey as a bhujal jankar by raising awareness about the critical state of water availability and demand in Bhunav. Recognising the importance of existing water bodies and structures, I identified their issues and the maintenance they required. I collected primary data from households and farmers, monitored wells, gathered daily rainfall data, and conducted soil and water quality tests. These efforts laid the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the village’s water resources.

I think one of the most significant contributions I made was educating the community about the Atal Bhujal Yojana Programme, a government initiative aimed at sustainable groundwater management. I simplified complex water concepts and presented them in the local language, making the programme accessible to everyone, including those with limited literacy.

Also Read: Rainwater Harvesting: How a parched village catches rain to prosper

My initiatives have led to a notable increase in water literacy within the community. I developed a water balance or budget for the village, which has empowered everyone to adopt water-saving techniques on their farms. My own family has embraced practices like alternate furrow irrigation, intercropping and the use of vermicompost. We have thus also set an example for others.

I feel overwhelmed with the positive feedback I have received from the community. Other women in the village feel empowered by looking at me, and my presence among them has made it easier for them to learn and participate in water conservation efforts. By explaining complex water-related concepts in a simplified manner, I have been able to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, enabling even those with minimal education to understand and contribute.

Also Read: ‘Even small ponds make a big difference’

This journey has not been without challenges. Initially, I faced scepticism from the village elders, who doubted my knowledge and even mocked my efforts. Collecting secondary data from government departments proved to be a difficult task. I then sought assistance from the Development Support Centre (DSC) Project Team, which gave me the needed support to overcome these obstacles.

Over this time, I have learned valuable lessons in data collection, on-farm water-saving techniques, and engaging with both farmers and government officials. Slowly the initial doubts I faced have turned into admiration and respect.

I have been able to balance my duties as a housewife and a bhujal jankar. The training I received from the DSC field team equipped me with the required skills to conduct field surveys, engage with farmers and calculate village-level water balances. I gained knowledge of the hydrological cycle, water measuring tools, and rainfall data collection, which have been instrumental in my success.

As I go ahead on this path, I envision contributing towards building a future where my village thrives, free from the fear of water scarcity for the generations to come.  

Also Read: Drop of change: Rajasthan village’s inspiring water resurgence