Implemented By: Rotary Club of Thane North

About the Project: 

This project was conceptualized to address the dual challenges of water scarcity and limited livelihood opportunities in the tribal farming communities of Jawhar, located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Despite receiving over 3000 mm of annual rainfall, the region suffers from seasonal water shortages due to its elevated terrain and groundwater fluctuations ranging between 4.0 to 7.0 meters.

Farmers in these villages rely on a single rain-fed crop, cultivated on small landholdings, which is insufficient to sustain their families throughout the year. Though some villages have nearby water bodies, the absence of funds and irregular power supply prevents the use of electric irrigation pumps, making year-round farming infeasible.

This economic strain forces many farmers to migrate to urban areas in search of low-paying, unorganized work in construction. These migratory patterns disrupt family life, especially children’s education, often resulting in school dropouts, malnutrition, and poor living conditions in cities.

To combat these challenges and promote sustainable rural development, the project introduced three major interventions that align water resource management with renewable energy and livelihood stability.