In Maharashtra’s Dehare village, a humble structure is quietly transforming lives. The check dam, built during the Lions year 2023-2024 by the Lions Clubs of Mumbai Millennials and Churchgate (District 3231-A1) in association with the Diganta Swaraj Foundation, holds back more than just water – it’s stemming the flow of rural migration that has been threatening the very fabric of community life in India’s villages.
“Before the dam, we lived at the mercy of rain,” says a local farmer, now cultivating exotic fruits including a prized Japanese mango variety. The dam’s one crore-litre capacity has turned water scarcity into surplus, enabling the community to diversify beyond traditional agriculture into ventures like cashew processing, groundnut oil extraction and beekeeping.
The Rs.25 lakh initiative was made possible by Lions Rajesh Jain and Mishrimal Jain, Directors of Arihant Goldplast and Capricon Realty. With the support of these CSR partners, the project benefits 300-400 villagers. But its impact transcends numbers. Where once young farmers might have sought their fortune in cities, they are now pioneering innovative agricultural projects at home and demonstrating how rural economies can be preserved.
The benefits extend beyond agriculture. The Lions Clubs’ follow-up support, including educational supplies for children and menstrual hygiene products for women, reflects their understanding that water security touches every aspect of community life.
Encouraged by the success of Dehare, the Lions Clubs are identifying more villages where the project can be replicated, nurturing a future where their residents can thrive in their ancestral lands, on their own terms.