Shivganga Samagra Gram Vikas Parishad

The tribal community in Jhabua grapples with a severe water crisis, triggering a detrimental cycle that extends beyond mere migration necessities. Rampant deforestation has transformed hills into barren landscapes, causing excessive surface runoff and hindering rainwater percolation. A significant portion of those with agricultural holdings manage only one crop annually. Empowered by training camps, Jhabua's youth pledged to alleviate Mother Earth's thirst, initiating the age-old tradition of Halma with the motto "Gaon-Gaon me jayenge, Shankar Jata banayenge." The resulting Jal Andolan involves constructing reservoirs, small water structures, and implementing watershed development projects, all contributing to a substantial impact on water restoration in the region.

The Adolescent Girls Empowerment Camp in Jhabua serves as a cornerstone for fostering women's leadership. Participants courageously share their stories, often centred around health challenges, forging a collective commitment to overcome them and lead their villages. This initiative not only addresses health issues but also creates opportunities for livelihood among tribal women. Additionally, the "Swachh Gaon - Swastha Parivar" programme imparts knowledge on nutritional plants, promoting family health. The evolving network of female leaders, facilitated by Gram Pravas, plays a vital role in advocating for women's empowerment, fostering communication, and building a supportive team.

JHABUA Naturals, under Shivganga's Jameen Samvardhan initiative, conducts monthly training for farmers, emphasizing natural, chemical-free farming. The programme encompasses crop planning, product sorting, and grading, with a well-established supply chain reaching Indore through a retail counter. GATI-labs at Dharampuri Gurukul Campus address the dearth of appropriate technology in rural India, providing tribal youths with skills in welding, electric work, plumbing, and equipment handling. JHABUA Crafts offers bamboo handicraft training, promoting decentralized learning and marketing through www.jhabuacrafts.com. Gram Gurukul Prakashan addresses the rural-urban knowledge gap, with 'Navbhageerath' being its inaugural book retelling the water conservation movement in Jhabua. Renowned author Padma Shri Girish Prabhune authored the book, unveiled by Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi at an event in Indore.

'Matawan,' meaning 'forests of Mother,' symbolizes specially protected forest areas where Bhil tribes refrain from cutting trees, aiding afforestation. 'Halma,' an ancient Bhil tradition, promotes altruism—doing good without expectations. Widely practised in 1300+ villages, Halma reinforces water and forest conservation efforts. 'Bhangodia,' a 10-day festive celebration parallel to Holi, debunked false narratives and showcased tribal culture with over 30k participants. 'Gram Samruddhi Mela' focuses on village prosperity through natural resource enrichment, integrating traditional wisdom with new technologies. 'Gaiti Yatra' empowers tribal farmers, portraying the spade (Gaiti) as a symbol of positive change and instilling pride.

Jhabua's Tribal Community faced unjust reputations and distorted perceptions. Shivganga's Image vs Reality initiative welcomes hundreds of students and urban dwellers yearly, allowing them to live in villages, and shattering preconceptions. Facilitating academic projects, it supports research on tribal life and rural development. Notable projects include a rural architecture thesis at IIT Roorkee, a Biogas Plant model by ENACTUS-IIT Delhi, and a community health study by an MBBS student from RCSM Govt Medical College. The programme fosters a network of 400+ students and professionals, leading to annual camps discussing contributions to Holistic Rural Development. 'Friends of Jhabua' connects volunteers from diverse cities and institutes, aiding ground teams, fundraising, and organising events, enhancing the movement's momentum.