Abstract : Bundelkhand has become synonymous with droughts, distress, and poverty. The recurring droughts have seriously impacted the local economy leading to distress, forcing people towards borrowing from money lenders, mass migration, starvation deaths, farmers’ suicides, and even the “mortgaging” of women. The region once famous for the historic Chandeli tanks – built by the Chandeli kings a thousand years ago is now known for droughts and poverty. The appalling condition of the region has remained the same over the years despite several efforts. People’s Science Institute (PSI) took the initiative of addressing the regional problems by applying the concept of Gram Swaraj. Through community mobilization, participatory micro-planning, local institution building and convergence with different government and non-government programs, it has helped in promoting water, food, nutrition and livelihood security across 50 villages of Panna district. The model demonstrates the potential of Gram Swaraj in making a drought and poverty free Bundelkhand.
Cite : Mahar, S., Niranjan, V. K., & Sen, D. (2024). Fostering Gram Swaraj In The Impoverished And Drought-Prone Bundelkhand (1st ed., pp. 1-14). Noble Science Press. https://doi.org/10.52458/9788196919535.nsp2024.eb.ch-01
