In Kalmana Gram Panchayat of Nagpur district, recurring droughts were felt most strongly by women. They spent hours fetching water from distant sources, only to repeat the task the next day.

With no end in sight, women shared their reality during the 2024 Climate Gaav Samvad, village-level dialogues that brought elected women representatives and community members together to reflect on local climate challenges.

Read the blog in Marathi here.

Through these conversations, it became clear that weak and poorly managed water systems were the root of the problem, and that the Village Water Supply Committee existed only on paper. Women leaders took the initiative to reconstitute the committee, clarify responsibilities, and begin regular coordination within the Gram Panchayat.

During the 2024–25 planning cycle, women prepared a focused demand list that included rainwater harvesting systems, water storage and purification facilities, and repairs to existing wells. These demands were approved in the Gram Sabha.

Approval was only the beginning. Consistent follow-up through regular meetings and delegation visits ensured timely implementation. Six critical works were completed at a cost of Rs. 10.45 lakh, including rainwater harvesting systems, a central water tank, repairs to the main supply well, and two community RO filters. This has ensured access to clean drinking water for Kalmana and freed women’s time for livelihoods and wellbeing.