INDIA: SDB DROUGHT RELIEF PROGRAM SUCCESS
by austraLasia correspondent in India
AHMEDNAGAR (India): 20th March -- A remarkable program by Salesian Brother Alex Gonsalves is turning the tide of drought that frequently sweeps across the Taluka region of the State of Maharashtra where a mere 15" of rain or less is experienced per annum. The Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) program was established in 1986 and initiated a pilot Integrated Watershed Development Project at Dongargan Village in 1989. Within three years adequate drinking water was made available throughout the year and a second crop grown on 200 acres. People's lives have been transformed in Dongargan. Success has motivated these people to improve farming practices, acquire better breeds of cattle and poultry, promote adult literacy and construct Gobar Gas Plants. Since then the programme has been implemented in 3 more villages, namely Agadgaon, Ratadgaon and Bhoire Pathar. The work is now in progress in 4 more villages. The plan, if sufficient help, financial and otherwise, is found, is to extend the programme to 17 more villages touching a total of 25 by the year 2010.
This is very much a good news story from a land that often has to record stories of drought, despair and even violence. Readers of AustraLasia can see the project details for themselves by turning to http://bgvk.freeservers.com/ . They may also wish to follow up this project and other activities by Salesians on the Indian Subcontinent at Bosconet's asiapacific page http://www.bosconet.aust.com/asiapac.htm
