Review Article

Community Involvement in Conservation

of Natural Resources: Case Studies from
Rajasthan, India
Satya Prakash Mehra1, Sarita Mehra2, Milind Pandit3, Swati Samvatsar4
Introduction
Bharatpur, the Eastern Gate of Rajasthan, is well known tourism destination between Agra and Jaipur. It is situated on
the confluence of three rivers, viz., Ruparel, Banganga and Gambhir. Further, the storm water in form of surface water
runoff during the monsoon period constitutes flood drain of River Yamuna. Lying in the western most part of Indo-
Gangetic Plains, the geographical features of the area denotes its importance. The natural depressions with the dense
thickets of the green cover formed numerous scattered wetlands with woodlands thus, giving the remarkable diversity
of habitats. The Bharatpur flood control drainage system which existed in the past is a live evidence of the presence of
natural depressions. All the depressions were evanescent rainfed wetlands.

With the pace of development in form of modernization and urbanization, the area lost almost all the natural depressions
except one which serves as wintering ground to the migratory winged guests - World Heritage and Ramsar Site Keoladeo
National Park (KNP). It was formerly known as Bharatpur Ghana Bird Sanctuary, is still referred as “Ghana” (~ dense
forest) locally. This extensively modified and man-managed park supports an enormous congregation of migratory
waterfowl in winter and breeding colonies in the monsoon season. It was the only wintering ground for the central
population of the rare and endangered Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus in India.

The article highlights the challenges of water along with CSR initiatives taken by the organization of the authors’ in the
direction of water sustainability through improvement of water conditions in the rural environs.

Methodology
Biodiversity Observations

Seasonal observations were recorded from March 2007 to March 2017 with the prime focus on avifaunal and anuran
diversity in the rural areas of Bharatpur around KNP. The observations for the above said fauna were also recorded as
per pre-execution and post-execution phase of proposed interventions at different sites.

Conservation Issues

Random socio-ecological surveys were carried out in the area to assess the conservation issues around KNP in villages
which served as a baseline study for our interventions. The selection of the sites for any interventions were based on
certain indicators such as need of community, unified approach of the community, willingness to own the interventions,
sustainability of the interventions, etc. The proportion of the respondents from one site was based on the population as
well as professional status. Generally, the proportion varied from 1% to 5% of the population of the site of interventions

Rajputana Society of Natural History, Rajputana’s Shakuntalam, Ramnagar, Malah, Bharatpur 321001 Rajasthan, India.
1,2,3

4
Jala SRI Watershed Surveillance and Research Institute (KCE Society), M.J. College Campus, JilhaPeth, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.

Correspondence: Satya Prakash Mehra, Rajputana Society of Natural History, Rajputana’s Shakuntalam, Ramnagar, Malah, Bharatpur
321001 Rajasthan, India.

E-mail Id: drspmehra@yahoo.com

How to cite this article: Mehra SP, Mehra S, Pandit M et al. Community Involvement in Conservation of Natural Resources: Case
Studies from Rajasthan, India. J Adv Res Const Urban Arch 2017; 2(3&4): 12-15.

ISSN: 2456-9925

© ADR Journals 2017. All Rights Reserved.

J. Adv. Res. Const. Urban Arch. 2017; 2(3&4)
depending on the consumption based on categorized
profession (high proportion of farming profession lead to
higher side of respondents). The consumption of water for
the daily need was constant as the sites and communities
were taken from the rural background.
CSR Activities
CSR activities undertaken by the Rajputana Society of
Natural History (RSNH) were detailed. It was grouped
into two - Social interventions (Mobilization, Awareness,
Capacity Building, Responsible Group formations etc.) and
Structural interventions (Civil Works). A case study of the
village Chak Ramnagar was taken to emphasize the success
of community participation in executing works for the
improvement of water conditions by NGO with support
from the CSR initiative of the corporate sector in 2009-10.
Geographical Features
Bharatpur is known as “The Eastern Gate of Rajasthan” due
to its location in north-east part of Rajasthan (India). Fed
by three rivers, viz. Ruparel, Banganga and Gambhiri along
with the storm water of the plains, the area constitutes
flood drain of River Yamuna. It experiences extreme climatic
conditions. The diurnal temperature varies from 0.5°C in
January to 50°C in May. Mean relatively humidity ranges
from 62% in March to 83.3% in December. Rainfall occurs
through the southwest monsoon, mainly during July-
August. The mean annual precipitation is 662mm, with rain
falling on an average of 36 days per year. To overcome the
challenges of the floods, the flood drainage control system
consisting of the network of canals, sluices and dykes are
the feature of the area. The historical Bharatpur irrigation
and drainage control system is an example to the present
world to regulate the flood drains.
Biodiversity
Bharatpur forms south-western part of Gangetic Plains.
The geographical features had a great impact on the
development of diverse habitats in the area especially
wetlands and the woody thickets. It was due to the
vividness of the habitats, the diversity of avifauna and
herpetofauna could be observed. Further, the development
and urbanization affected the habitats. Thus, restricting the
richness to the last but well protected habitat of Bharatpur.
Mehra SP, Mehra S reviewed the faunal diversity of the
Park summarizing the contributions of workers on faunal
diversity.2 The area is home for over 90% avifauna of the
State. Around 400 species of birds were recorded till date
from the protected area.4 Over 250 species could be sighted
around KNP in the green spaces of urban areas as well as
rural environs around KNP. KNP is the largest breeding
colony of the residential birds in north India and only
wintering site of the extinct population of the Siberian
Crane.
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Mehra SP et al.
Conservation Issues
Water Conditions
Ecological Flows
Though the region has a history of floods and droughts,
the frequency of these has changed over the decades,
with a decrease in floods and increase in droughts with
the rapid increase in the development in the last decade
of 20th century. Ruparel River became the history before
onset of the decade 1990 followed by River Banganga and
lastly in the end of the 1990s, the Gambhiri was the last
one to stop its feeding to Bharatpur. The storm water in
form of surface water was restricted by haphazard urban
sprawls and encroachments over the water passages. The
conditions further became worse due to erratic rainfall
and shortening of the duration with increased intensity.
Thus, all the sources were either checked or stuck in the
first decade of 21st century and Bharatpur Irrigation and
Flood Drain System lost its relevance giving opportunity
to modern planers to develop cement-concrete jungle. No
space for the streams or canals to maintain their flow into
main river or reservoirs. Along with the dying streams, the
green cover was also altered in such a way that it lost its
local relevance. The common and local species lost their
existence. Overall, green spaces were lost in the past three
decades at the high speed than ever.
Water Quality
The soil strata of the region are typically having the low
permeability. With the direct check of surface water
flow and lack of stagnant water, the exploitation of the
underground water increased with the depletion of the
groundwater table resulting into the availability of highly
saline water below ground. Conditions further deteriorated
with the scarcity of rainfall and lack of perception of the
people to store water. The assessments were carried out
through random questionnaire and interview based surveys
among the water users of different age groups, gender
and profession.5
Perception of People
The assessment was carried out on the perception of the
people affected by the changing perspectives of the water
profile especially focused on children, women and farmers.
Over ninety percent of the respondents were unaware
of the techniques of conserving water at individual and
community level.7 On the other hand, the deepening of the
borewells and pipelines from PHED were the alternatives
suggested by 98% of the people.
Water Conflict
Undoubtedly, water is uncompromising component of
ISSN: 2456-9925
Mehra SP et al.
life. Realizing the importance of KNP and non-availability
of water from the main source (River Gambhiri via Ajan
Dam), the measures was undertaken by the policy makers
to supply water from the alternative sources. This raised a
conflict between the local community and the governance
as well as administration. To whom priority need to be given
for usage of available water? This was the main question.
The agitation of the local communities from the surrounding
villages of KNP affected the measures solely taken for KNP.
Climate Change
There is no doubt that the amount of water available for
withdrawal is a function of runoff, groundwater recharge,
aquifer conditions, water quality and water supply
infrastructure. The safe access to drinking water depends
more on the available sources and supply infrastructure.
The goal of improved safe access to drinking water would
be harder to achieve in regions where runoff and/or
groundwater recharge decreases as a result of climate
change as in the case of Bharatpur. This leads, in turn, to
higher socio-economic impacts, especially in areas where
the prevalence of water stress has also increased as a result
of climate change.
Livelihood
The social concern pertaining to dependency on the
natural resources especially fuel wood was another issue
which needs to be undertaken. The modern agriculture
practices are the costlier than the traditional agriculture
practices, and agriculture was considered as low profit
profession by eighty percent of farmers.8 Their youngsters
were not interested to continue the agriculture. Further,
continuous division of the agriculture farms reduced the
land holdings among farmers. Thus, income generation
and livelihood were another concern for the development
sector professionals. Along with the above concern, lack
of skills in other profession hampered the launching of
alternative sources of income.
CSR Activities
Understanding the above mentioned issues, NGO -
Rajputana Society of Natural History (RSNH) took steps
to work towards the issue of water at the first level. In
2007, awareness programs were initiated from the most
deprived village (Chak Ramnagar Village) adjoining KNP.
With the CSR support, since 2009 activities were carried
out for the different sites in cluster. The proposed activities
for the target site (village) were planned as per the need.
The focus remains on the water. Therefore, the activities or
any interventions keep centre point of improving the water
conditions of the target area. The activities are generally
planned under following two categories.
ISSN: 2456-9925
J. Adv. Res. Const. Urban Arch. 2017; 2(3&4)
Civil Works/ Structural Interventions
Structural and/or Civil works for Ground water recharging;
Construction, restoration and renovation of ‘Pokhar’
(traditional water reservoirs); Constructed wetlands/
Reed-bed Method of Waste Water Treatment; Rain water
Harvesting; Desalination; etc.
Social Activities
With Community - Village Development Committees (VDCs)
and Village Water Committees (VWCs) are constituted in
every target village along with structural activities. The
VDCs/VWCs are responsible to monitor proper execution
of the proposed activities along with monitoring of the
structures. Collection of maintenance fund and regular
community meetings are part of their responsibilities. All
the records are maintained by the office bearers of the
VDCs/VWCs.
With Farmers - Informal (unregistered) Farmers’ Clubs
(FCs) are formed and regular training on the conservation
agriculture, organic culture, water conservation issues
through agro-practices are given.
With Women - Self Help Groups (SHGs) are formed at every
site/ village under project. Mobilized and sensitized through
regular meetings. Linked with activities and training on
issues related with empowerment, livelihood etc.
With Children - The most important part of social activities
involve sensitization and mobilization of children through
formation of Children water Clubs (CWCs). Prakrutishala is
informal education program for the children (10-15 years
or 6th - 8th std.) which include action oriented methods
of awareness through 9-days classes for three months
followed by monthly events.
Case Study - (Village Chak Ramnagar, Bharatpur, Rajasthan,
India)1
In 2007, the first interaction was made with one of the
deprived communities residing in the rural environs around
KNP - Banjaras (Gypsies of India). The community was
treated as the anti-social by the upper caste or higher
lifestyle people residing all around the KNP. The women
security of this community was not good. The farming
practices were negligible. With the structural and social
interventions supported by CSR, the village community was
mobilized. Structurally, traditional sources of water were
revived. The revival of wells through recharging made it
useful. The ground water recharging through percolation
reservoirs (Pokhars) improved the moisture conditions
of the soil. The steps of ecological revival started with
such impacts. The community realized the importance
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J. Adv. Res. Const. Urban Arch. 2017; 2(3&4)
and started extensive plantation activities especially
selecting indigenous and native species. The waste water
was taken due care and treated or soaked at the point
source. The plant species which was used for creating the
traditional utilities were revived. Through value addition
and guidance given by the organization’s team, these
utilities were produced for sale on bigger scale. Since
raw material from the plants is available to the very small
scale, therefore, demand is not fulfilled by the production.
Till date, the community realized the importance of the
common species which used to be dominant in the area.
The plantation activities are continued and the community
is now treated as “Mentor” for other villages.
The Chak Ramnagar Social Model of the village is
based on the concept of “Conservation Practices for
Sustainable Livelihood”.6 These two are almost similar
for every community on the Earth. Resolving the need,
conservationists group could engage the local population
in the conservation activities.
Thus, identifying the primary need such as water in
the present case, and linking the customary practices
as according to the natural skill of the people with
income generation, one could resolve the challenges of
conservation, employment and poverty. Such models are
site specific with global application. It need to be replicated
as per the site as done by the authors for Abu Hills.3
References
1. Mehra SP. Water conservation through community
participation. GRID - Arendal and UNEP’s publication
- The Environment Times, Environment and Poverty
15
Mehra SP et al.
Times. 2012; 7: 12-3.
2. Mehra SP, Mehra S. Perspective on water and
Biodiversity Issues: A Case Study of Keoladeo National
Park, Bharatpur, India. In: Maheshwari BL, Purohit RC,
Malano HM, et al. (eds.) The Security of Water, Food,
Energy and Liveability of Cities, Water Science and
Technology Library 2014: 419-434.
3. Mehra SP, Mehra S. Conservation practices for
sustainable livelihood - Potential and scope of nature
tourism in southern Rajasthan: Case study from Abu
Hills. Udaipur Bird Festival 2016: 2.
4. Mehra SP, Mehra S, Gautam P. Avifaunal diversity of
Keoladeo National Park: A Review. In: Mathur VB,
Sivakumar K, Singh B, et al. (eds.). A bibliographical
review for identifying research gap areas: Keoladeo
Ghana National Park - A World Heritage site. Wildlife
Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 2009a: 45.
5. Mehra SP, Mehra S, Saini J, et al. Awareness and
knowledge of Keoladeo National Park (KNP) among
children of the local terrain – A sample study. In: Mathur
VB, Sivakumar K, Singh B, et al. (eds.). A bibliographical
review for identifying research gap areas: Keoladeo
Ghana National Park – A World Heritage site. Wildlife
Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 2009b:
56-57.
6. Mehra SP, Mehra S, Satish P, et al. Potential of rural
tourism through revival of eco-ethics around KNP -
Enviro-preneurship initiation at village Chak Ramnagar/
Ramnagar. Ghana Bird Fair 2015: 23-25.
7. RSNH Annual Report. Rajputana Society of Natural
History Annual Report 2009-10. 2010.
8. RSNH Annual Report. Rajputana Society of Natural
History Annual Report 2012-13. 2013.
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