India is endowed with annual average rainfall of nearly 1,200 mm but a very small proportion of it is managed effectively. The various estimates on potential for rainwater harvesting suggest vast opportunities for mitigating the shortages. However, the socio-administrative measures in vogue do not encourage participation by the beneficiaries. There are several success stories in rainwater harvesting but these initiatives are rarely institutionalised at national level.

The work of Tarun Bharat Sangh in Rajasthan has received much attention. There is an urgent need though to question development challenges that go overboard in extolling the virtues of greenery without tracing the hands that own the land and harvest the fruits of public money.

The government NGO friction at Lava ka Baas has opened a Pandora s box water ownership, archaic laws and hopeful communities that want to hold on to the assets they have created

Along with Tarun Bharat Sangh ( tbs)

June 4, 2001: The Rajasthan irrigation department gives a notice to Tarun Bharat Sangh ( tbs ) calling the johad built by the Lava ka Baas villagers is unsafe. It directs tbs to see that

Water laws in India are archaic and anti-

All attempts by cse coordinator Indira Khurana to meet Rajasthan irrigation minister Kamla Beniwal went in vain. The minister refused to give an appointment. Khurana was directed to speak to the