Over the last 15 years, the village of Mauje Agar has been caught in a slow spiral of decline. Increasing use of pesticides and fertilisers, monocropping, incorrect methods of waste disposal and industrial pollution have dangerously contaminated the water supply. As a result, agricultural yields have plummeted by over 40%, and the health of the villagers has deteriorated alarmingly.
As sugar factories and industries have multiplied in the area and repeated droughts have hit, the water available has dwindled. Many families have left Mauje Agar for nearby cities like Pune and Mumbai.
The Dabhade family, after enduring health struggles and agricultural setbacks, were prepared to bid farewell to their ancestral land. Mrs Dabhade’s battle with cancer paints a grim picture of the family’s ordeal.
“We are suffering the most,” said Mr Dabhade when we met him at the beginning of our project in 2024, “but the whole village is affected. If drastic action isn’t taken soon, this place will become a ghost town.”
Amidst the despair, there is a glimmer of hope. With Frank Water initiatives like Participatory Groundwater Management (PGWM), aimed at restoring water quality and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are underway.
We mapped water sources such as dugwells and borewells in Mauje Agar to understand how the groundwater moves and tested them to identify sugarcane factories as the main cause of industrial pollution and groundwater contamination in the region.
We are now enhancing water security by improving recharge infrastructure by aligning with government schemes, promoting efficient water use, strengthening water quality measures, and establishing a local committee for participatory management.
These efforts have made clean water available to the community. Exploring new farming techniques means the soil has begun to rejuvenate, offering a sustainable path forward. While challenges remain, Frank Water’s work has rekindled the spirit of resilience in Mauje Agar. Our work has not only provided immediate relief but has also paved the way for a more hopeful and sustainable future for the community.
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