Drying springs
Mohan Chandra Kandpal’s story begins with a problem in Himalayan villages: springs and small streams drying up. The official list of the 6th National Water Awards names him first in the North Zone for “Best Individual for Excellence in Water Sector”.
Independent reporting describes him as a chemistry teacher and grassroots water worker from the Almora area. According to The Times of India, he has worked for more than three decades on recharge and community participation in remote Himalayan villages.
Pani Boao, Pani Uggao
His campaign, “Pani Boao–Pani Uggao” (sow water, grow water), is built on a simple idea: instead of letting rain rush off the slopes, hold it in the landscape. Small structures such as khals and chaals, along with vegetation and soil treatment, help the water soak into the ground and recharge the springs below.
Counting carefully
The Times of India links his work to about 40 villages and the Riskan river belt, and reports thousands of small structures, revived water sources and women’s groups. These figures come from independent reporting, so we give them with their source.
Many small structures spread across a landscape can matter a great deal for water security, and local hydrology is best understood together with community knowledge.
Sources
- PIB: 6th National Water Awards winners
- The Times of India: Kandpal becomes first from Uttarakhand to win National Water Award
- Video profile
- pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2188892
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/kandpal-becomes-first-from-ukhand-to-win-national-water-award/articleshow/125416993.cms
- youtube.com/watch?v=E0EOKyWMBaM