NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NRM)

At ARPAN SEVA SANSTHAN, we recognize that sustainable management of natural resources is vital to improving rural livelihoods and fostering environmental resilience particularly in rainfed& undulating areas. Our Natural Resources Management (NRM) programs are designed to tackle pressing challenges such as water scarcity, rainfed farming, soil degradation, and climate change impacts on rural communities. We take an integrated approach, collaborating closely with local communities to implement sustainable practices in agriculture, water conservation, and land management addressing SDG No. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15 & 17 and India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Key components of our NRM initiatives include :-

01.Water Conservation and Management

Enhancing water-use efficiency through our water conservation initiatives have improved climate resilience for more than 600,000+ rural families. We have treated more than 150,000 hectares under watershed development, increased water-holding capacity by 20,400 million litre (204 Crore Litres), and enhanced groundwater recharge potential by 40,800 million litres (408 Crore litres) through construction of different water harvesting structures, recharge shafts, mini percolation tanks, percolation pits etc. 

02.Community Based Water Resource Management

 Expanded irrigation coverage by 8,600 + hectaresthrough strategic installation of Community Lift Irrigation Schemes (104 schemes across Rajasthan and Maharashtra), construction of innovative Water Harvesting Structures, and deployment of Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) across more than 10,000 hectares. Strengthened Water Users' Associations (WUAs) of 97 irrigation sub-projects covering 4 Lakh hectares Command Area across 1,500+ villages, directly benefiting 7.5 Lakh+ farmer families while promoting gender mainstreaming in agriculture and irrigation sectors by improving water use efficiency and agricultural productivity, thereby contributing to holistic socio-economic development. 

03.Pasture Land Development 

04.Carbon Footprint Mitigation

 In line with India's NDC for additional carbon sinks and net-zero targets, we have conducted afforestation and community forestry initiatives in more than 20,00,000 plantations covering 9,000+ hectares, have resulted in an annual reduction of more than 30 Lakh Kg of CO2 emissions, contributing to India’s climate goals and enhancing carbon sinks. Use of renewal energy sources such as solar pumping, solar lights and bio gas plants in Arpan’s project activities play a vital role in carbon footprint mitigation.

 05.Community Empowerment:

 Strengthening local governance and promoting community-led institutions of natural resources fostering climate-resilient, sustainable rural development. Providing training & capacity building programmes of 200000+ stakeholders of different watershed projects in 26 districts of Rajasthan for enhancing capacity on watershed-based community institutions i.e. Watershed Development Committee, User Groups, Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Group, VDC, etc.