June 10th 2024.
In the remote village of Luhakala, located in Keonjhar district, the residents of Khuntadihi Mundasahi hamlet have found a unique solution to the water crisis that has plagued their community. Despite being located seven kilometres away from the panchayat headquarters, the hamlet is home to 13 Munda tribal families who make a living by selling forest produce and working as daily wage laborers.
For years, the only source of water for the hamlet was the 'Khuntadihi' stream that flowed from the nearby Debtaghara hills. However, this posed several challenges for the villagers. Not only did humans rely on this stream for drinking water, but it was also the main source of water for animals. As a result, the water often became polluted and unfit for consumption, especially during the dry summer months. This led to health issues for the villagers, who were left with no choice but to use the contaminated water.
The residents of Khuntadihi Mundasahi hamlet reached out to the local authorities for help, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Frustrated and desperate for a solution, the community leaders - Sana Munda, Manga Munda, and Birsa Munda - took matters into their own hands and came up with a brilliant plan in 2021. They shared their idea with the rest of the villagers and together, they raised funds to purchase a 500-meter long pipe.
Next, they constructed a boat-shaped wooden plank and acquired a large dry bottle gourd. These items were then taken to the origin of the stream, where the water was diverted through the plank and the bottle gourd and connected to the pipe. This innovative system has now put an end to the water woes of the village. The residents are able to access clean and safe drinking water, as well as use it for their daily household needs.
The success of this project has garnered praise from social activist Duskar Barik, who works for the betterment of tribal communities. He commended the villagers for their ingenuity and resourcefulness, while also criticizing the district administration for their failure to address the problems faced by tribal communities. This simple yet effective solution adopted by the residents of Khuntadihi Mundasahi hamlet serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best solutions come from within the community itself.
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