Patna: A water conservation project under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VBG-RAM G scheme, has transformed farming and livelihoods in Khamkala village of Kaimur’s Adhaura block. Restoration of Hari Bandh and construction of a check dam have helped address the area’s water shortage while bringing irrigation water to nearly 50 acres of agricultural land.
The project was initiated after the Gram Sabha proposed restoring the existing dam and constructing a check dam to prevent rainwater from flowing away from the nearby Kaimur hills.
The Rural Development Department implemented the proposal by linking it with the Mukhyamantri Saat Nischay Part-II Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali initiative and subsequently taking up the works under VBG-RAM G, formerly known as MGNREGA.
Check Dam Turns Rainwater Into Irrigation Resource
Khamkala, a revenue village under Dighar Panchayat, had long faced water shortages. During the monsoon, water from the adjoining Kaimur hills would flow away without being adequately stored or used.
Following the Gram Sabha proposal, the department prepared a detailed plan for restoring Hari Bandh and constructing the check dam. Local JEEViKA women, known as JEEViKA Didis, also contributed labour to the water conservation work.
The availability of water in Hari Bandh and the check dam has now created a more reliable source for agriculture. According to the department, irrigation water is reaching agricultural areas covering up to 50 acres, bringing greenery back to fields that previously faced water shortages.
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Farming, Fisheries and Duck Rearing Get a Boost
The increased availability of water has created opportunities beyond crop cultivation. JEEViKA Didis in Khamkala are now benefiting from duck rearing and fish farming around the check dam and Hari Bandh.
The water structures have also supported nursery activities. Plant nurseries are being operated in the catchment areas and command area of the dam, with extensive plantation undertaken around the water bodies.
Planting trees along the banks is helping protect the local environment, while the sale of plants is providing women with additional annual income running into lakhs of rupees.
The improved water availability is also encouraging farmer families to diversify beyond traditional crops.
Farmers Move Towards Vegetables and Organic Farming
With irrigation becoming more accessible, farmers in the area are increasingly taking up vegetable cultivation and organic farming alongside traditional crops.
The Rural Development Department said the change is helping improve agricultural productivity as well as household incomes. Production of Sonachur rice, in particular, has increased in the area.
The project has therefore turned water conservation into a wider livelihood opportunity by supporting farming, animal-based activities, fisheries and women-led enterprises.
Women’s Participation Strengthens Rural Livelihoods
The project has also created a link between water conservation and women’s economic empowerment.
Thousands of JEEViKA Didis contributed to the work locally, while the resulting water availability has enabled women to explore activities such as duck rearing, fish farming and nursery management.
The initiative demonstrates how village-level proposals can be converted into infrastructure that supports multiple livelihood activities. Instead of allowing monsoon water to flow away, the restored dam and check dam are helping rural households use the resource for agriculture and allied activities.
Minister Highlights Irrigation and Environmental Benefits
Rural Development and Information & Public Relations Minister Shravan Kumar described the restoration of Hari Bandh and construction of the check dam in Khamkala as an example of the impact of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s vision.
He said the government is working to ensure uninterrupted irrigation facilities for farmers even in remote parts of the state.
According to Kumar, bringing water to 50 acres of agricultural land will not only improve greenery and farm production but could also help improve groundwater levels and reduce soil erosion.
He added that the government remains committed to strengthening water conservation and rural livelihoods.
The Khamkala project highlights how local water conservation infrastructure can deliver benefits beyond irrigation. By improving water availability, the initiative is supporting agriculture, environmental protection, fisheries, livestock-related activities and women-led rural enterprises, strengthening the local economy in a remote part of Kaimur.
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