Two lakh farmers allowed their 25,000 acres of land to be used for 1 lakh water projects across Maharashtra. (Source: Express archive) Two lakh farmers allowed their 25,000 acres of land to be used for 1 lakh water projects across Maharashtra. (Source: Express archive)

Even as land acquisition from farmers remains a contentious issue across the country, villagers across rural Maharashtra are voluntarily making their land available to accommodate water conservation projects under the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan.

By mid-June, 2 lakh farmers had made way on their 25,000 acres of land for 1 lakh water projects across Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and Konkan. Whether it is widening of rivers, creating cement nalla bunds, compartment bunding or making farm ponds, there have been no reports of resistance from villagers, who want water at any cost to combat the drought that threatens 25,000 villages in the state.

At Selu village in Latur district, Nanasaheb Patil says, “In the last 10 years, I dug 22 borewells for water as deep as 900 to 1000 feet. Yet, it was not enough to irrigate my fields. Today, as the 4 km cement nalla deeping work is under way, I am willing to spare 200 ft to 500 ft land on both sides for the Jalyukta Shivar project.”

At Shiradon, villagers initially quarreled over allowing the widening of river Dhori. Today, Vinayak Patil (70) says, “Farmers have give the nod for river expansion across a 17 km stretch without seeking any financial compensation.”

In the remote villages across Latur and Osmanabad, the average price of non-fertile land is Rs 3 to 5 lakh. However, agricultural land which is relatively fertile fetches Rs 7 to 10 lakh per acre.

For the water projects, the villagers are not required to surrender their land but accommodate them to reap dividends of water supply. Panchayat and gram sabhas along with district collectors have been working to ensure that only long-term projects which would benefit entire villages are undertaken. As a result, the administration has not had to face most of the complex problems related to land.

Osmanabad district collector Prashant Narnawre said, “The villagers are headstrong. If they realise the importance of any project, they are ready to take up the cause. They are coming forward to own the projects.”

Nagonath Shendge, a farmer in Kati village in Tuljapur taluka, explains, “Initially, we were in a dilemma. Our mega cement nalla bund projects required both deepening and widening. But we realised that the fields through which the project pass would reap maximum benefit as it would ensure moist soil throughout the year.”

Giving an example, Saoji Bajirao Patil says, “In 50 acres of land the yield has always been 50 per cent. Water scarcity affected production. However, now I have made space for a water project foregoing five acres of land. Now 25 acres will produce 100 per cent crops like soya beans, jowar and bajra.” Patil is also thinking of trying his hand at horticulture.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, “The selflessness of the villagers, who owned the Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan, is very heartening. I was speechless when villagers came forward to inform me how a certain project was completed in record time of 60 days at Rs 23 lakh, much less than the estimated Rs 37 lakh.”

The CM observed,” The villagers have understood the significance of water and are no longer holding the measuring tapes to seek financial compensation from the government. Instead, they are waiting to transform every drop of water to produce more crop.”

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