In the heart of Maharashtra, a story of strength and determination is unfolding. Dr. Ujjwal Chavan, a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in Mumbai, has started  a revolutionary water conservation initiative that has transformed the lives of 30,000 farmers across 16 villages.

A Village on the Brink

Dhamangaon, Chavan's hometown, was once an agricultural community. However, decades of drought and groundwater extraction had pushed the village to the edge. Farmers struggled to make ends meet, and the lack of water had become a constant source of stress. The situation was so dire that one farmer, unable to cope with the pressure, took his own life and this is the case in alomst every rural villiage of maharashtra

Chavan, who had always been driven to make a difference, was deeply moved by the farmer's tragic death. He knew he had to act. showing his experience as a civil servant and his understanding of the local community, Chavan launched an ambitious water conservation project in Dhamangaon.

Chavan spent countless weekends mobilizing villagers, district administrators, and local NGOs to join forces and create a comprehensive water management plan. Despite initial hesitation, the community eventually rallied behind Chavan's vision. Together, they constructed water reservoirs, small dams, and bunds using porous Moorum soil to facilitate rainwater percolation .

A New Era of Hope

The results were nothing short of miraculous. Within a year, the village's water storage capacity increased dramatically, and the groundwater level rose significantly. Today, Dhamangaon can store 22 crore liters of water, sufficient to meet the area's needs for 10 months . The success of the project has not only revitalized the village's agriculture but has also brought a sense of pride and ownership among the community.

With  the success in Dhamangaon, Chavan replicated the model across 16 other drought-prone villages in Jalgaon district. 

The outcome has been remarkable: all 16 villages are now drought-free, with 30 reservoirs built in each village, benefiting 30,000 farmers . 

Chavan's initiative has not only transformed the lives of farmers but has also created a sense of community and cooperation among the villagers.

Chavan's vision doesn't stop here. He aims to scale up his water conservation project to 65 villages, creating a storage capacity of 500 crore liters of water. To achieve this ambitious goal, Chavan is training 11 villagers, who will in turn train five villagers from each village. This grassroots approach will not only increase manpower but also foster a sense of ownership and accountability among the community 

A Tribute to Human Strength

Dr. Ujjwal Chavan's story is a proof to the power of human  determination. His steadfast commitment to creating positive change has inspired countless individuals and transformed the lives of thousands. As Chavan himself says,: 
"I believe people's goodwill and excitement to undo years of damage is what keeps me going" . 

His selfless work serves as a shining ray of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward.