About 30-35 years ago, Deolali Pravara was a wealthy area having more than 90% irrigated area with ample water from Bhandardara dam. Bhandardara dam is more than 100 km upstream of Deolali Pravara. Increased pressure on the dam from upstream urbanization and increased demand for industrialization have resulted in reduced water supply to Deolali Pravara. This has resulted in diversification of farms, and consequently the farm community in and around Deollali Pravar. Farmers are rendered helpless.
Deolali Pravara Municipal Council, with the help of Saint Gadage Baba Abhiyan, organized meetings with local residents and cooperative societies, and identified thrust areas in water conservation and water recharging.

• Age-old water reservoir in the heart of the city was clogged due to silting. It was cleaned voluntarily with active participation of municipal staff and also local people.
• Installation of roof-top rainwater harvesting mechanism made mandatory for new buildings.
• Small ponds were constructed for storage of rainwater.
• Vanrai type ponds were constructed using low cost material.
• With the help of cooperative sugar factory, small check dams were constructed.
• With the help of NGOs and small voluntary groups, many farm ponds were dug and constructed to store run-off rain water and recharge ground water.

• Increased farm production has resulted in the well-being of the society as a whole. This has resulted in aspiration of local population to educate their children.
• Due to water conservation and recharging of ground water of the area under the commercial sugarcane crop within municipal limits, the annual yield of the crop has increased.
• Fodder crops are available throughout the year, and due to this, livestock and the production of milk have increased.
• Adequate drinking water supply in summer season to all citizens
• Improvement in living environment

• Optimum utilization of natural resources through rainwater harvesting is a self-sustainable process to improve water supply as there is no strain on the environment.
• It is a very simple method to follow and adopt any where.

For further details, contact:

Mr. Behere Bhalchandra Shalingram
Chief Officer
Deolali Pravara Municipal Council