Ladakh has always had a robust community mechanism to take care of its vulnerable and disadvantaged sections. These mechanisms continue to exist today as well. However, the current pace of development is infringing joint family systems, and an upward migration trend is weakening individual sections, and there is growing income and gender disparities.
GOAL
Water harvesting solutions to strengthen land-based economic systems in the Ladakh Himalayas
(EYF-WAL)
- External forces like climate change, and other developmental activities are forcing Ladakhi communities on the brink of water and food security issues, in addition to low productive agriculture and lack of alternate income leading to socio-economic issues across the region.
- 33 villages (approximately 3,000 households and 16,000 people, 53,000 kanals) identified as water scarce villages
- Declining trend in the amount of snowfall
- Increasing water stresses
- Limited rural economic opportunities
- To ensure that local communities become more resilient with increased adaptative capacity to climate change and other unpredictable socio-ecological factors, while strengthening their land-based economic systems.
- To enhance water harvesting structures and enhance economy from land based activities.
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- Communities mobilized:
Water harvesting model & management were strengthen in 10 villages of Leh District.
- Enhanced water supply & water security:
- In 4 Villages (Nang, Stakmo, Igoo and Tsaga) Cascade type artificial glacier were constructed to store water in winter season and can be available in early sowing season. In total 1,40,731.4497 Cubic meter of ice can be stored in this structure benefiting farmers in Spring season.
- 3 community reservoirs (Zing) were successfully renovated having total capacity of 14,709 Cubic meter benefiting 152 households of 3 villages in Leh. To achieve this, community also contributed Rs: 1,28,440/- towards the project expenses. In an around 590 Acre of land are cultivated through these reservoirs.
- In 2 villages 1660 meter of water irrigation channel was repaired to avoid water loss due to structural damage. 170 Household fields are irrigated through this water channels. To overall project community has contribute ₹ 21,977 towards the project.
- Increase productivity and yield for small farmers:
Number of SHG and farmers were given capacity building training and exposure visits by different Department Experts. 25 SHG Members of Nang and Igoo village have successfully implemented the mushroom production training and more than 100 kgs of Oyster mushroom were harvested by them. 80 Farmers from different villages were also taken for an exposure visits to different agriculture and horticulture farms. Interaction of SHG’s was also done with inspiring Agri Enterprises to motivate SHGs for starting an enterprise.
- R & D :
LNP has been always keen in innovation and adaptability towards new technologies and methodologies. Continuing to this, LNP has develop Solar compost pit which will effectively turn Agriculture waste to compost effectively in 6-7 months considering harsh winter climate of Ladakh.
LNP also tried to upgrade Vegetable Cellars by installing rack system which will increase storage area by 200% and farmers can also generate additional income from mushroom production in summer season where the vegetable cellar is not in use.
