Chhatarpur, June 20, 2023. HDB Financial Services (HDBFS), a leading non-banking financial institution, has inaugurated a major Water Conservation Project in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. The project aims to address water scarcity in the region and promote sustainable agriculture practices. HDBFS has partnered with Haritika NGO for this project.
This project is a part of the integrated watershed management program that encompasses several key initiatives aimed at addressing water security in a sustained manner. These initiatives include:
- Development of Check Dams: By constructing these dams, the project aims to conserve rainwater and recharge groundwater levels, leading to increased water availability.
- Enhanced Earnings for Farmers: With access to water and land treatment, it is estimated that farmersmay experience an increase of up to 40% in their annual earnings due owing to increased crop yields and higher agricultural productivity.
- Construction and Renovation of Community Farm Ponds: The ponds will incorporate new cropping techniques and water conservation practices, resulting in a significant enhancement of crop yields
Speaking on the occasion, Nitesh Tiwari, Zonal Manager HDBFS said, “By 2050 India could be the most severely affected nation due to water scarcity according to the UN World Water Development Report 2023. To reverse the impact of water scarcity, HDBFS is committed to work with local communities around the district of Chhatarpur to replenish water sources and improve livelihoods. The project will benefit over five villages in Bijapur block."
Haritika’s Founding Member, Avani Mohan Singh, said that water scarcity hits the farmers the hardest. Women in the region spend many hours to fetch water for domestic purposes. Ground water reserves are fast depleting, and need immediate action. Collaborating with HDBFS on the Water Conservation Project is a step towards recharging natural aquifers and reversing the impact of water scarcity on the lives of local communities in Bijapur villages and around.
