THE RESIDENTS of Sukhomajri village are richer and wiser today, thanks to their collective decision on management of water and forest resources.

The Hill Resource Management Society (HRMS) distributes water and fodder at a fee and sub-lets the bhabbar grass leased from the forest department to contractors for a price. Income from all sources like bhabbar grass cutting, harvesting of forage grass and irrigation charges has increased over the years.

Between 1983 and 1987, the HRMS paid a total sum of Rs 12,347 to the forest department but recovered Rs 39,710. By 1987, HRMS created a fund of Rs 27,363, which the villagers claim has crossed Rs 50,000 now. The earnings were made possible following an initial investment of Rs 4.9 lakh by the state government in irrigation structures and catchment treatment.

The dividends from irrigation and livestock rearing are the two most important pay-offs. Comments Jethu Ram, a village elder, "I see only milk in the reservoir and not water." With easy availability of fodder, the villagers slowly replaced their goats with buffaloes, increasing milk yield dramatically. Between 1977 and 1986, the number of buffaloes went up from 136 to 182 and milk yield per animal from 2.32 litres to 3.01 litres. According to Gopal Kadekodi, an economist from the Institute of Economic Growth, income from livestock rearing per animal is Rs 961.36 per annum and from crop production per ha of land is Rs 6,431.51 per annum. Each household in Sukhomajri village today earns Rs 16,500 per annum. Self-management of resources has generated employment in the village, especially in bhabbar grass collection, regeneration and maintenance of irrigation systems. About 19 per cent of the villagers are employed outside the village and this has also helped in the economic uplift of the village.