A high-level delegation from Nigeria, comprising 26 members of the legislative assembly, senior bureaucrats, and government officials, recently concluded a study tour in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Their mission was to gain firsthand knowledge of the watershed management and water conservation projects executed successfully by the state's Panchayati Raj department.
Learning from Rajasthan's Water Conservation Model
The visit was organized under the invitation of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), which operates under the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The delegation specifically chose Rajasthan due to its geographical similarities with Nigeria's own arid and semi-arid regions, as well as its proximity to the national capital, New Delhi.
Sushila Yadav, Additional Director of the Rajasthan Watershed Department, explained the rationale behind the choice. She noted that the Union government had recently praised watershed initiatives in two states—Rajasthan and Karnataka. The Nigerian team selected Rajasthan because its desert and dry topography closely mirrors conditions in parts of Nigeria.
Ground-Level Interactions in Alwar District
The Nigerian officials traveled to Alwar district, where they engaged in detailed discussions with local functionaries. They met with Zila Parishad representatives, watershed department officials, and, most importantly, the local beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed by these projects.
Salunkhe Gaurav Ravindrea, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, provided a comprehensive briefing. He outlined the various water conservation efforts being implemented under key government schemes. These include the central government's Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the state's own Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA). Other notable programs like Vande Ganga and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) were also discussed.
Tangible Results and Nigerian Aspirations
The scale of Rajasthan's achievement in water conservation is significant. To date, the state has constructed an impressive 2.5 lakh water harvesting structures. This massive effort has led to the conversion of over 1 lakh hectare of wasteland into productive cropland. Furthermore, these initiatives have successfully raised the groundwater level by an average of 4.66 feet in project areas spanning 16 districts.
The delegation was visibly impressed by the community-focused outcomes. Abdulkarim Ali Obaje, a senior Nigerian bureaucrat and National Coordinator for the Federal CARES Support Unit, shared his team's perspective. He stated they were impressed with the state government's efforts in building water harvesting structures for community welfare and have concrete plans to implement similar models in Nigeria.
However, Obaje candidly added, "But, frankly speaking, we need the support of the Indian government to do this." His unit operates under Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, indicating the high-level importance attached to this potential knowledge transfer and collaboration.
This study tour marks a significant step in south-south cooperation, where developing nations share best practices to tackle common challenges like water scarcity. Rajasthan's proven model in watershed management has positioned it as a global example for arid region development.
