Sondara Gurukul - Fight against Drought

Sondara Gurukulam is a residential school situated in hilly ranges of Balaghat in Beed District of Maharashtra. Dryland farming, lack of natural resources, negligible industrialization, drought-prone region are the identities of this district. Maharashtra is facing severe drought this year, and the government has declared drought in all the blocks of Beed District. Nearly 70-80% people in the region are migrating in search of work.

About 198 students and 27 staff members are residing at Sobdara Gurukulam. Also, 17 cattle are in the cowshed. Wells in the nearby farms have already gone dry. Tanker water supply has started since the month of December. Availability of water is a burning issue for the next 6 months.

Last year all the students and workers worked hard and planted 3000 trees around the campus which is a part of Mayur Abhayaranya. Due to the scarcity of water, students have started taking bath under the trees. But all the trees do not get enough water out of this activity. Peacocks and other wild animals in the nearby forest also need water. We keep water at the base of the hill, wild animals and birds come there to drink water at night.

1. Disaster relief response

All the residents are using water responsibly. We are hiring water tankers for the next 5 months. Daily one water tanker is needed for 225 people and 17 cows. And one tanker every two days - for trees planted, peacocks and other wild animals. (One water tanker = 12,000 litres) Total 225 water tankers are needed for the next 5 months.

2. Future planning –

Such kind of immense water scarcity may arise in near future as well. Hence, few initiatives are planned to strengthen water storage capacity.

1. Well Recharge

2. Borewell Recharge

3. Lake Repair

4. New well

5. New borewell

6. Farm pond

7. Water storage on the hilltop

8. Water trenches on the hill

This will help to meet the future water needs of school children, animals, and birds in the forest and villages nearby.

Your support will help all the students and all the residents to survive through this disaster. 198 students from surrounding 10 districts are studying here. With you help the school will not get closed.

Sondara gurukul is situated in hill ranges of Balaghat, it is also a part of Mayur Abhayaranya. Peacocks and wild animals are also facing the water scarcity badly. Due to our efforts, many Peacocks and wild animals will survive through this disaster. Also, students have planted 3000 trees last year around the campus. These 3000 trees would be saved.

All the existing water sources like lakes, borewells, and wells will be repaired and we will also build a new well, water tank, borewell. So that, in coming times we will be better prepared for such natural calamities. The groundwater level will increase.

Our water conservation and management model will be a role model for other schools, organizations, and villages in Marathwada.