Reviving Life Drop by Drop: NABARD’s Watershed Projects Transform Balrampur’s Villages

In the quiet villages of Devsara, Jamthi, and Bada in Shankargarh block, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Where cracked earth once mocked the skies, water now flows—carrying with it the promise of life, growth, and renewal.

The 5 J’s: A Blueprint for Change toward Watershed Projects

Funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and implemented by the grassroots organisation READS, the watershed development program or the watershed projects here is rooted in a simple but profound philosophy: the interconnectedness of Jal (water), Jangal (forests), Jameen (land), Jan (people), and Janwar (livestock).

Jal Reborn: Check dams, percolation tanks, and contour trenches have reversed groundwater depletion. Wells that ran dry now brim with water year-round.

Jangal Resurgent: Native saplings dot the rejuvenated common lands, their roots binding the soil that once washed away in the monsoons.

Jameen Healed: Once-barren fields now yield crops, their fertility restored by moisture-retention techniques.

Jan Empowered: Farmers like Ramlal (42) from Devsara no longer migrate for work. "Our land feeds us again," he says.

Janwar Thriving: With assured water and fodder, livestock health has improved, boosting milk yields and incomes.

From Struggle to Resilience

A decade ago, Devsara’s women walked miles for a pot of water. Today, the village’s rejuvenated talab (pond) quenches thirst and nurtures fish—a dual source of nutrition and income. "Water is our astha (hope) now," says Sushila Devi, filling her vessel effortlessly.

In Jamthi, the ripple effects are tangible. "The soil remembers water," remarks farmer Harish , pointing to lush mustard fields where only scrub grew before. The project’s contour bunds have curbed erosion, turning slopes into productive land.

A Model for the Future

NABARD’s intervention, costing ₹2.8 crore across 1,200 hectares, shows how ecological restoration and human welfare can go hand in hand. "This isn’t just infrastructure; it’s a pact with nature," says READS field coordinator. As Balrampur’s villages script their turnaround, their lesson is universal: when water returns, life follows. And in these quiet corners of Uttar Pradesh, both are flowing anew.