Never before a more benign form of plastic was discovered until the concept of ‘bora bandh’ — a check dam made from plastic sacks — bagged attention of farmers staring at heaven for earthly problems of farming activities and became a solution that people in dry pockets started opting for within days since the activity was started by Vikas Bharti. As demands of assistance for ‘bora bandh’ is pouring at the office of Vikas Bharti, the campaign has been extended till March 15 and even beyond.
The non-government organisation started its ‘bora bandh’ project on February 15 in three districts—Ranchi, lohardaga, latehar and Gumla-- to built 70 small check dams with plastic sacks till February 25. However, popularity of the small measure to address great problems of water for farming led to the extension of the deadline by Vikas Bharti in the three districts. The deadline has been extended till March 15.
“We have extended the project. People are coming forward with request and we will cooperate wherever possibility of the dam would be felt. Our team is visiting places to explore the potential and people are also showing their interest,” said Secretary of Vikas Bharti, Ashok Bhagat.
The organisation helped in the construction of 41 check dams so far even as it confirmed that villagers are taking initiatives and have built dams at places decided by them in their area. The project is being is assisted by Vikas Bharti and is being done with labour that comes from villagers. Of the total check dams built so far, 17 have been built in Gumla; eight in lohardaga, 17 in latehar and four in Ranchi. These check dams will irrigate farmland stretched in 1400 acres.
“Within a week will take that figure to 65. Although our members are active in their areas, we have come across cases where people have built ‘bora bandh’ on their own and inform us later. Villagers are also coming forward with details of places suitable for ‘bora bandh’,” said Member of Vikas Bharti, Rajana Chaudhary.
Although farmers have been making ‘bora bandh’ on their own all over Jharkhand, the practice was given an institutionalised framework when Vikas Bharti kicked off construction of these sack check dams in 70 villages of Gumla, Ranchi, lohardaga and latehar, with the objective of water conservation and agricultural development at its core.
Notably, the campaign would focus on 22 villages in Ranchi, 20 villages in Gumla, 18 villages in latehar and 10 villages in lohardaga. One ‘bora bandh’ will be constructed across each of the 70 villages selected for the campaign.