Dam Cleaning forms the cornerstone of Kokan Kala Va Shikshan Vikas Sanstha’s approach to community development and health in rural Maharashtra. By systematically removing sludgy clay that accumulates at the base of dams and along riverbeds, Kokan NGO not only restores critical water storage capacity but also upcycles this nutrient-rich material as an organic fertilizer for underprivileged farmers. This initiative addresses environmental challenges, such as siltation and pollution, while delivering social benefits through enhanced agricultural productivity, community engagement, and improved health outcomes.
Dam Cleaning: Restoring Water Storage and Reviving Agriculture
Dam Cleaning involves the careful excavation of silt and sludgy clay that settle over years at the bottom of reservoirs and river channels. Over time, this deposition can reduce a dam’s storage capacity by up to 30 percent, compromising water availability for irrigation and domestic use. Kokan NGO’s program targets these accumulations, returning lost capacity and enhancing water security for dozens of villages across Maharashtra. By beginning each project with the “Dam Cleaning” at the forefront, the organization underscores its commitment to sustainable water management.
The process not only clears the reservoir but yields large quantities of silt—a blend of clay, sand, and organic debris—rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon. Rather than treat this byproduct as waste, Kokan NGO partners with local farmers to transport and apply the sludgy clay onto fields, where it enriches soil fertility and boosts crop yields by as much as 20 percent in pilot plots.
Environmental and Social Impacts of Siltation and Pollution
Silt-laden dams pose significant environmental risks: reduced water quality impacts aquatic ecosystems, while accumulated pollutants from runoff concentrate in the sediment, threatening human and animal health. In arid regions like Marathwada, unchecked siltation exacerbates drought conditions, leaving communities vulnerable during dry seasons.
Socially, diminished water storage capacity forces farmers to irrigate less land or resort to expensive chemical fertilizers to maintain yields, further degrading soil health over time. Kokan NGO’s Dam Cleaning initiative tackles both issues: the excavation reduces pollutant load in reservoirs, and the repurposed sludgy clay offers a low-cost, organic alternative to synthetic fertilizers, lowering input costs for underprivileged farmers.
Community-Led Sludgy Clay Recovery and Field Enrichment
A hallmark of Kokan NGO’s model is active community participation. Local volunteers, including women’s self-help groups, join in manual and mechanized desilting efforts, learning techniques for safe silt extraction and handling. This inclusive approach ensures that the benefits—both restored water capacity and fertile clay—are equitably shared.
In the Hadgaon area, for example, Kokan NGO facilitated the cleaning of a minor irrigation dam, extracting over 5,000 m³ of sludgy clay and distributing it free of cost to 120 marginal farmers. Recipients reported noticeable improvements in soil texture and moisture retention, with some shifting to more nutritious crop varieties thanks to improved yields.
Beyond fertilizer, the program encourages farmers to adopt water-efficient practices, such as drip irrigation, to complement Dam Cleaning, thereby maximizing both water use efficiency and crop output under changing climate conditions.
Health Promotion through Clean Water and WaSH Integration
While Dam Cleaning primarily addresses water quantity and agriculture, Kokan NGO weaves in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) education to safeguard community health. By reducing sediment and pollutant levels in drinking water sources, the initiative cuts incidences of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera by an estimated 25 percent in participating villages.
Simultaneously, Kokan NGO conducts hygiene workshops, teaching safe water storage and hand-washing practices that leverage the newly cleaned dams as reliable sources. This integrated strategy ensures that the gains from Dam Cleaning translate into tangible health improvements for women, children, and the elderly.
Conclusion: Sustainable Renewal through Dam Cleaning and Clay Reuse
Kokan Kala Va Shikshan Vikas Sanstha’s Dam Cleaning program exemplifies a holistic, community-driven solution for water conservation, agricultural empowerment, and public health. By scraping away sludgy clay and redirecting it as an organic soil amendment, the NGO turns an environmental challenge into a source of opportunity for underprivileged farmers. This dual benefit—revived reservoirs and enriched fields—underscores the transformative power of targeted interventions, proving that with collective effort, Maharashtra’s rural communities can secure a more resilient and prosperous future.
