Region takes tips on Dhara Vikas from Sikkim

Intro: RMDD’s Dhara Vikas initiative to be piloted in Bhutan, Meghalaya and Nagaland, reports an IPR feature

Can we increase the lean period discharge of springs and streams? Can we revive the perennial springs that have become seasonal?
These were the questions that led a 25-member delegation from the Royal Government of Bhutan and the State Governments of Meghalaya and Nagaland to visit Sikkim on a study tour from 30 June to 06 July, 2014 to understand the RMDD’s Dhara Vikas initiative on reviving springs, streams and lakes.
The study tour started with an experience sharing workshop for the 25 outstation participants in Gangtok on 01 July. The workshop was presided over by DR Nepal, Secretary-RMDD who shared the joint concern regarding the drying up of springs across the Himalyan landscape and the Sikkim Dhara Vikas initiative which is underway.
Kenneth Pala, Sr. Technical Expert, GIZ shared the objectives of the CCANER project and the objectives of this experience sharing workshop. The Dhara Vikas handbook which was published recently was used as a training aid to elaborate on the concept of recharge area, design of recharge structures, micro-location, steps in dhara vikas and monitoring and evaluation.
This was followed by a 3-day field visit to various Dhara Vikas sites like Namthang, Namchi, Kewsing, Sumbuk and Rhenock where the field functionaries, panchayats and water users shared their experience of the Dhara Vikas initiative and the achievements so far. Finally, on 05 July, a de-briefing workshop was organized in which the participants shared their field learnings and also prepared a road map for initiating similar Dhara Vikas initiatives. They also requested technical support from the Government of Sikkim to provide them hand holding while taking up the pilots. The field facilitators of RMDD and SIRD faculty who were instrumental in grounding the Dhara Vikas initiative and making it a success were felicitated by the Department.
The outstation guests were very grateful to the Government of Sikkim for organizing this study tour and sharing the learnings of the Dhara Vikas initiative with them which will help them to revive springs, streams and lakes once they return to Bhutan, Meghalaya and Nagaland.