Supported by
Himalayan Oak Trust, New Zealand
HIMCON
Village & Post-‐Sabli
Tehri Garhwal-‐249199
Introduction
This programme has been financially supported by the Ranichauri East Wood Hill Trust, New Zealand, to HIMCON at a time when the entire world is facing a dreadful pandemic, COVID-19.
This pandemic has severely impacted the livelihood of people globally, including India, affecting millions and claiming over a million lives in the first six months of 2020. The Government of Uttarakhand is taking several steps to retain migrants who returned to the Himalayan state after a nationwide lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. A total of 59,360 migrants returned to 10 districts—excluding Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar—according to an interim report released by the state’s Rural Development and Migration Commission on April 23, 2020.
Most of these migrants were employed in the hospitality sector as waiters, cooks, drivers, or electricians, while others were highly skilled blue-collar workers with years of experience in various sectors. Many ventured to other districts within Uttarakhand, across India, and abroad in search of employment and education. Observing these realities, HIMCON decided to focus on migrants who had returned home due to the lockdown, involving them in the Spring-Shed Rejuvenation Programme.
Fig. 1 to 4: Migrant youth of Patudi village
The Himcon Team interacted with the members of Patudi Gram Sabha and the migrant youth with a view to discuss the funds made available by the Ranichauri East Wood Hill Trust, meant for the rejuvenation of the spring shed in this village. After initiating intensive discussion with the Gram Sabha, it was unanimously decided to undertake structural construction works of the Spring-shed rejuvenation programme with these migrant youth.
Each migrant youth was provided six days of work with an honorarium of Rs. 300 per day. This support helped them significantly in purchasing rations and other needed items to sustain their livelihood.
Migrant Youth Participation
HIMCON engaged 53 migrant youths from Patudi village who had returned due to the lockdown. Each youth received six days of work at Rs. 300/day, supporting their sustenance and participation in spring-shed rejuvenation activities.
Table 1: Migrant Youth Details
| Sl. No. | Name | Migrant from | Nature of jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuldip Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 2 | Vipin Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 3 | Manendar Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 4 | Shailendar Singh Negi | Rishikesh | Hotel |
| 5 | Shiv Singh Negi | Jaipur | Hotel |
| 6 | Shahil Singh Negi | New Delhi | Shop |
| 7 | Gamvir Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 8 | Harpal Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 9 | Sunil Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 10 | Anil Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 11 | Sekhar Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 12 | Mahipal Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 13 | Jagmohan Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 14 | Sat Pal Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 15 | Kuldip Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 16 | Ajay Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 17 | Rahul Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 18 | Titu Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 19 | Hikmat Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 21 | Ravindar Singh Negi | New Delhi | Shop |
| 22 | Jagdish Pd Uniyal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 23 | Vikash Uniyal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 24 | Shailendar Uniyal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 25 | Budhi Pd Uniyal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 26 | Harish Uniyal | New Delhi | Industry |
| 27 | Jay Krishan Uniyal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 28 | Suraj Uniyal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 29 | Ranveer Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 30 | Prit Pal Negi | Hathras | Hotel |
| 31 | Sandip Singh Kaintura | Jaipur | Hotel |
| 32 | Suresh Pal Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 33 | Manjeet Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 34 | Suraj Singh Chauhan | New Delhi | Industry |
| 35 | Mahipal Singh Kantura | Gudgaon | Industry |
| 36 | Ajay Singh Kaintura | Faridabad | Hotel |
| 37 | Naveen Singh Kantura | New Delhi | Shop |
| 38 | Amit Singh Pundir | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 39 | Sumit Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Shop |
| 40 | Sachin Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Shop |
| 41 | Arun Singh Hatwal | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 42 | Pankaj Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 43 | Vipin Singh Kaintura | Haridwar | Shop |
| 44 | Kripal Singh Kaintura | Rishikesh | Shop |
| 45 | Khem Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 46 | Jay Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 47 | Vinit Singh Kaintura | Jaipur | Hotel |
| 48 | Ravi Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 49 | Bablu Kaintura | Rishikesh | Hotel |
| 50 | Annad Singh Negi | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 51 | Navin Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 52 | Mahipal Singh Kaintura | New Delhi | Hotel |
| 53 | Shisu Pal Singh Negi | New Delhi | Shop |
About Patudi Village
Patudi village falls in the Chamba Development Block of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand, India. It is situated on a hilltop at a height of 1,700 to 2,000 meters above sea level. Gangotri National Highway-94 passes below the village, which is 45 km from Rishikesh. The total area of the village is about 210 hectares, with approximately 62 hectares covered by forest.
In 1998, around 8 hectares were established for the development of a Van Panchayat (community forest) where oak conservation and protection were undertaken. The village experienced a severe drought that year, creating acute water scarcity.
Currently, about 60 families reside in the village with a total population of approximately 410. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main occupations. Rajma (kidney beans) and green pea cultivation are prevalent, while milk production provides an additional source of income.
Objectives of the Spring-Shed Rejuvenation Programme
The main objectives of the programme are:
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To undertake spring-shed development while working with Gram Sabha women’s groups and migrant youth as units of collective intervention.
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To revive old and defunct water harvesting structures in Patudi village with active community participation.
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To restore and construct chaals (small ponds) in mountain ecosystems to enhance recharge zones and educate the community on their importance.
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To promote the use of clean and safe drinking water through Slow Sand Filter (SSF) technology.
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To preserve and plant water-conserving trees, shrubs, and bushes to develop moisture regimes in recharge zones, regenerating springs.
Activities Undertaken
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Community Mobilization
Worked with the Gram Sabha to prepare holistic development plans with community involvement. -
Student and Women Involvement
Engaged students through schools and colleges and involved women’s groups in programme implementation. -
Construction of Percolation Pits and Water Harvesting Structures
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Revival of Old Structures
Repaired defunct percolation pits with active participation from the Gram Sabha, using local resources. -
Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Structures
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Nursery Raising & Plantation Programme
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Collected seeds of broadleaf and water-attracting trees locally.
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Raised saplings and implemented a plantation programme.
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All activities were undertaken on community land in the Van Panchayat area.
Construction of Percolation Pits (Chaal)
Patudi village has four perennial springs:
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Mulbari Pani Dhara
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Baskali Pani Dhara
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Kuanka Pani
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Bonkhet Pani Dhara
Mulbari Pani Dhara fulfills 90% of domestic water needs. With help from migrant youth, six new pits were constructed, and 13 defunct pits restored. Sites were carefully selected to maximize water recharge.
Table 2: Details of Percolation Ponds (Chaal)
| Sl. No. | Name of Location | Length (m) | Width (m) | Height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farshukisain | 10 | 07 | 01 |
| 2 | Dharuki Jod | 7.5 | 04 | 1.5 |
| 3 | Baskali Name Tok | 10 | 5.5 | 01 |
| 4 | Bonkhet | 6.5 | 05 | 1.5 |
| 5 | Mulwani Name Tok | 05 | 4.5 | 1.5 |
| 6 | Dhar Kapani Name Tok | 09 | 05 | 01 |
Construction of Small Ponds (Pokhra)
Mulbari Name Tok was selected for small pond construction within the spring recharge zone. Inward slopes were designed for stability, and small stones were laid for longevity. Plantation will be done during the monsoon.
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting Structures
Six low-cost Ferrocement tanks were constructed in Patudi village, each with a capacity of 4,000 liters. These provide water year-round, with technical training provided to villagers to monitor and maintain SSFs.
Sapling Raising & Plantation Programme
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Plantation work was undertaken on 2 hectares (Van Panchayat land) during winter and monsoon.
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Banj/Oak and Tejbal/Timru trees were planted.
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About 5,000 saplings were raised in the Himcon Milan Kendra, Sabli polyhouse.
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Treated soil was filled in polybags (3,000 for Banj/Oak, 200 for Tejbal/Timru).
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About 20 kg of oak seeds were collected and sown directly in the plantation area.
Installation of Slow Sand Filter (SSF)
Water supplied to the village from Mulbari Pani Dhara was untreated and unfiltered. SSFs were installed to provide clean drinking water year-round. Technical training was also provided to villagers.
