Water Resources Development Project Produces Irrigation and Income Gains
At Nayara Energy, we strive to give back to the communities through our CSR initiatives. One of our initiatives is the Gram Samruddhi Project, which aims to improve the quality of life in rural communities of Gujarat. The team’s work in Zankhar, a core village under the Project is a testament to this.
Zankhar, located in Lalpur block of Jamnagar district and close to our Vadinar refinery, was facing severe climatic and geological challenges such as low rainfall, seawater intrusion and high salinity levels that were damaging the soil and water quality. With Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels ranging between 652 and 6,810 ppm, the water was unsuitable for irrigation and livestock consumption, making farming dependent on well irrigation only.
To address these issues, the team constructed a new check dam and installed community bore wells to provide irrigation to nine farmers in the village
The check dams command area of around 10.5 hectares and store water during the monsoon season. The community bore wells recharge the groundwater, raising the water table in the area and bringing down the TDS level in the groundwater
As a result of this, famers like Chandubha Govubha Jadeja have been able to increase their agricultural production, resulting in a significant increase in their income. Chandubha's income has increased from Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 to Rs. 1.10 lakhs during the Kharif season, and he is now cultivating his entire land during the Rabi season, which was previously not possible
The improved water quality also meets the drinking water requirements of the livestock in the village
The Gram Samruddhi project has brought about a positive impact on the farming activities of Zankhar village, contributing towards sustainable development in rural areas.
