Arvari - A River Brought Back To Life

As early as in 1988, people of Hamirpur had been involved in arresting the waters, draining through small and big monsoon nallahs, streaking the face of their lands.

Beginning with the "Jogiwalla" johad on the monsoon stream, a tributary draining into Aravri in the valley below, many similar johads were constructed by the people on the various monsoon streams, before they joined the main water course of the Aravari.

But the benchmark of consolidated work, came in 93 with the campaign to save the Aravalli hills. People of the 3 different states participated and covered the entire 700 kms long stretch of the Aravallis in 14 separate groups. In this somewhat large agenda, the remote village of Hamirpur, also got charged with the inspiration to make a difference, and Shri Ramchander Baba, respected village elder, became the voice of the people.. He served as a linking unit for mobilizing the people of the neighboring villages of Hamirpur, and 4 other villages. Mobilizing the people, streamlining their interests, participating in various village meetings, one of the villages, Kaled became the meeting ground of the united strength and interests of the 5 villages.

The hanging times had reduced the fine tradition of johads, into mere heavily silted depression sites, while the Aravallis stood in mute desertion, scavenge of trees.

Most of the johads, in the Aravallis were built on the mountain slopes for arresting and storing the flow of the rainwater. But the absence of forest and adequate tree-cover, to trap rain water, the rain water would swiftly wash down the slopes, taking in its flight, much of the top soil, and even damage the water bodies. All this led to the people taking an oath to protect and conserve their forests and water resources.

Another major decision was, construction of a 'bandh' on the main watercourse of river Aravari. Many johads had come up on the tributary streams, of the main watercourse in the past few years, raising the water level in the wells. The site selected was at the point where the "Naharwala'nallah draining along the western slopes of the village met up the rivulet. This concave shaped johad has a catchment area of about 1103 sq. kms. The work continued for 2 years, till the monsoons of 97, but the effect of the rising paal and the arrested waters were felt within the first year itself.

The dead, dry, watercourse of the Aravari which had flowing water only during the rainy days in the monsoon months, came alive for the full year of 95.

The people of Hamirpur had not even imagined such an outcome and the miracle started to create ripples. The people in the downstream of the river, got equally inspired to enliven the river in their midst.

The TBS team was also equally surprised by the unexpected turn of events and humbly admits that they had no idea, that they were getting involved in reviving a big river, when they began to work in the region.

The restoration of Aravari to life is also the story of various watersheds linked to each other. The curtain falls on the journey of the reborn river Aravari. It is the life line of hope and prosperity for the 75 villages, situated along its banks.

Today there are more than 200 johads in the catchment of Aravari. The successful water harvesting and conservation of water in the upstream of the river, in the region of Bhanvata, followed by the scores of johads along the drainage of the river, has inadvertently recharged the main river channel. The rippling effect of the water conserved and the excess discharged, released a breath of fresh life into the channels of the rivulet, which became the river.

But the happiness and prosperity of the village Hamirpur was soon shrouded in the politics of the Govt. policies. The rejuvenated life in the river, resulted in the thriving of the rich aquatic life. Fishes of all shapes and sizes, began to thrive in the river.

But towards the end of '96, fisherman noticed big fishes in the river and approached the Rajasthan Govt.'s fishery Dept for acquiring fishing rights. Obtaining the contract, Latif arrived at Hamirpur, but the people were outraged and refused to give into the demands of the contractor. The villagers impressed upon Latif that the fishes were the gift of God and that in no way would tolerate, endangering of any lifeform in their region. Latif returned to Alwar and lodged a complaint before the officer of Rajasthan Fishery Dept. In November 1996, the officials of the fishery Dept. and police came to Hamirpur and conducted a survey and threatened the villagers of dire consequences, if they refused Latif to fish.

The villagers explained to the officials of all the problems, and the officials came to know of the TBS support to them. It made the villagers realise that the issue would not be settled easily, and the people lunched "Save the Aquatic Life Satyagraha". In December, 96, the dept. of fisheries sent a notice to TBS, stating the river belonged to the Rajasthan Govt. After that people resolved to fight for their rights, and after 2 months long people's agitation, the villagers soon won the support of many social, human rights organizations. Finally the Govt. had to withdraw and cancel the fishing contract.

The people have declared Aravari a bio diversity protected area. People insist on the principle of, live and let live, even in relation to the fish and call it 'Jeeva Daya' mercy for all living beings. The people of Hamirpur and scores of villages along its banks, understand the eternal truth that the river is also for the good of the people and the people for the welfare of the river, and respect the river for what it is.