Special features of the organization
Largest project handled: , Comment briefly on the largest project (financially or man power wise) handled so far, indicating specifically difficulties experienced in the project and any other salient experiences. , The organization has implemented financially largest project namely Integrated Watershed Development and Conservation Programme at Shirdhane (Pr. Ner), Tal. & Dist. Dhule. The project value amounted to Rs. 99.95 lakh covering an area of 2498 ha with integrated watershed development activities benefiting population of 3,575 persons or 638 households in one village. The project was financed by the CAPART under the aegis of Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment, Government of India, New Delhi. The project involves activities leading to increase in ground water table and enabling farmers improve productivity of agriculture through proper water management. The organization did not find any difficulty in implementation of the program as the program has been implemented without any difficulty with positive impact agro ecological conditions of the environment in the project area with visible changes in socio economic conditions of the people. , , , , , , , , , Works/ Projects related to NRM and Rural Livelihood sector: , Please indicate the work done by the organization with special reference to the following activities: , a. Soil and water conservation (including watershed programmes, dryland farming systems) , The organization has implemented Integrated Watershed Development and Conservation Action Plan with the financial support of CAPART. The project covered an area of 2,489 ha of land area with water and soil conservation measures benefiting 638 numbers of households and population of 3,575 persons in one village namely Shirdhane (Pr Ner) Tal and Dist Dhule. Organization used participatory methods such as PRA in evolving community based project planning and designing. The Staff facilitated and strengthened Village Watershed Committee (WC) for implementing the programme. More emphasis of laid in capacity building of the Watershed Committee (WC). PRA exercise was helped in understanding immediate and strategic community needs in the project area. To start with the Ashwamegh Sanstha designed, planned and implemented Entry Point Activities (EPA) covering simple and low budget solutions to the immediate community problems. It helped build rapport with the community to evolve more complex program activities including assuring peoples contribution in the execution of area and drainage line treatments such as Continues Contour Trenches on 23 ha., 315 Loose Boulders, 8 Gabian Structures, 3 Farm Ponds / sunken pond, 19 Cement Check Dam, 91 ha. Farm Bunding and 25 ha. Plantation. Also completed formation and strengthening of SHGs. Other activities included entrepreneurs training and linking with bank of all women SHGs, forming federation of women SHGs in to an umbrella organization namely Sanyukta Mahila Samiti (SMS). Exposure visits of members of the Watershed Committee, SMS, UG (Users Group), Farmers and Women were arranged to success stories to build community vision to ensure ultimate impact of the watershed development program. In addition, the organization could promote village level activities that created enabling environment for the development such as total sanitation campaign, Shramdan (Donation of Voluntary Labour for Community Welfare). Maintenance Fund was established by collecting contribution from each family @ Rs.100/- per year & 10% contribution for community work. , , b. Plantation and horticulture (tree based farming, wadi development, organic farming,) , (a) The component of afforestation under the Integrated Watershed Development program was implemented in village Shirdhane. The program comprised of two components: (a) Plantation of Forest tree species. 5454 number of tree species were planted in the upper reaches of the watershed. Some species were also planted along with area treatments such as Continuous Contour Trenches etc. (b) Horticulture: Mango and other horticulture plantation was completed in 7 ha. of land against target of 41 ha of land. , , (b) Ashwamegh Sanstha has also promoted organic farming and promoted controlled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The technology of worming culture was promoted through demonstration, exposure visits, training, field support and guidance. , , (c). Forestry activities (Bamboo based farming, energy plantations, wasteland development rehabilitation and management /Community Forest management, pasture development biodiversity conservation) , , (a) The soil and water conservation program comprised of pasture land development in the ridge area. The soil, topography and land capability / use favoring such pasture land development in more than 25 ha area. The pasture land development includes activities seeding of grass species such as Hamata. , The fodder species were planted as part of the Soil and water conservation activities such as CCT, RTC etc. , (b) The Joint Forest Management program was also promoted as part of the tree plantation program. An opportunity to mobilize community in forestry conservation was explored and shared with the village communities. , (c) Under watershed development programme in Shirdhane, promoted community to observe social discipline of five principles of Nashabandi (Ban on liquor), Charaibandi (Ban of Free Grazing), Nasbandi (Restriction of Family Size), Kurhadbandi (Ban on Tree Felling). These disciplines were strictly adhered to by the community members. The results are visible, more tree and vegetative cover can be seen on the ground now. , , d. Farming systems management (including livestock and aquaculture resources) , Vermicomposting project supported by CAPART, Ahamadbad was implemented in four villages namely Fagane, Balapur, Vani and Shirdhane (Pr Ner) Tal and Dist Dhule. Under the project the farmers were provided training, support, demonstration and input supply for the vermicomposting. , , e. Climate change adaptation / Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) , As mentioned earlier, Ashwamegh has endeavored to check use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While doing it has promoted organic farming with much more importance to the Farm Yard Manure, local bio mass and use of wormi compost, tree plantation, and soil and water conservation. All together pushing towards CDM to counter climate change.
