To tie: There was a time when Bundelkhand was struggling with drought. There was no trace of water management and conservation efforts. The word drought remained associated with Bundelkhand as a symbol of plight. The process of migration from villages was continuing. Amidst the pain and desire of ‘It is done, the pain should melt like a mountain’ (lines of Dushyant Kumar), here finally the ‘Ganga’ of hopes emerged. Bhagiratha became research student Rambabu Tiwari, who with collective efforts got involved in the campaign to saturate the womb of Bundeli land with water. In no time, 74 ponds were given new life. He is giving the mantra of saving water in every village through Chaupal and Jal Yatras. Rambabu, who has become a hero of water conservation, has been selected by the Jal Shakti Ministry for the Jal Prahari Award after the Water Hero Award.
We have been running the campaign for many yearsRambabu Tiwari, coordinator of Save Pond Campaign and a research student, resident of Adhaan village of Baberu tehsil in Banda district of UP, has been running a campaign for many years to bring back the social, cultural, environmental and economic importance of the ponds of Bundelkhand. The campaign for conservation and promotion of natural sources of water, ponds and wells, which started from the village, has now made its mark not only in Bundelkhand but in the entire country. He has renovated more than 74 ponds through collective labor by going from village to village, setting up Paani Chaupal, Paani Panchayat.
In Andhav village of Banda district, under the mission ‘Field’s water in the field, village’s water in the village’ mission, he worked with the farmers to ease every drop of rain by making dams in the fields to stop the rain water in the village. The campaign has also been praised by the Prime Minister of India in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program on 27 June 2021. And the subject of his research is also the socio-cultural study of the ponds of Bundelkhand.
Honored many times for water conservation
Water warrior Rambabu Tiwari, who is working in the field of water harvesting, has so far received Water Hero Award on September 20, 2020, Jal Sevak Award from Parmarth Social Service Institute, Jal Sevak Award from Parmarth Social Service Institute, Water Warrior Award from Vishal Sankalp Institute and Arunoday Sansthan. Has received Jal Ratna Award from. Now selected for the Jal Prahari Award for 2023. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India and Government Tel organization every year honor the water warriors working in the field of water harvesting across the country with the Jal Prahari Award. This year’s award will be given by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 13 December 2023.
Ponds recorded in records have disappeared
Rambabu says, Bundelkhand has been facing the brunt of drought since the beginning. About half a hundred ponds of the Chandela period still exist. There are 3295 ponds in the revenue records of the district. When we reached the spot and saw the situation, not even half were left. To bring back the culture of ponds, organized and worshiped Pond Mahotsav. Formed a human chain on the bank of the pond. Organized drama and dance with local songs and music. Took out three large scale water voyages. In this, social workers and students of Bundelkhand region were also made allies. This mission of ours is still continuing.