Pimpurna, India is nestled against the beautiful landscape of Jawhar Taluka, with cascading waterfalls and fertile soil in the monsoon season. Once the monsoon season ends, however, the water evaporates, leaving the village with parched land and little drinking water. “Unfortunately, the villagers don’t have the money or necessary facilities to get access to water,” says Past Council Chair (PCC) and Project Chairperson Dr. Khwaja Mudassir. They have to trek four to six kilometers to fetch water for their daily household needs, such as cooking, bathing and cleaning. The water shortage also prevents the farmers from having more than one crop during the year. Following that harvest, the farmers must migrate to nearby towns in search of alternative work. This constant moving has a significant impact on the education and socialization of their children.
These CSR projects can have an enormous impact on communities where our Lions live and work.
Recognizing the desperate need for consistent access to water, Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) developed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership with Sumitomo Chemical India to provide a solution for the village. Through this CSR partnership, Lions received INR 20,00,000 from Sumitomo Chemical India in support of an innovative, solar-powered irrigation project.
Past International Director and CSR Ambassador Pravin Chhajed says, “CSR projects are the projects the community needs and with their implementation, the sky is the limit. By investing in CSR initiatives, LCIF is able to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities.”
Using the renewable energy produced by solar panels, water from the nearby Pimpurna Dam was pumped to the fields of the 29 farmers staying in the village. This will allow the farmers to have two or three crops during the year. “The farmers were only able to do one crop, but now they are able to do a second and third crop which naturally has made their income increase,” said PCC Dr. Mudassir. Additionally, migration during the dry summer months would stop, allowing children to have consistent education within their village.
When this solar-powered irrigation project was completed, Chairperson Brian Sheehan visited the site and brought smiles to everyone’s faces. PMCC and CSR Emissary Chandrashekhar Ghag says, “There was no road to the area, so we had to walk, and Chairperson Sheehan insisted on walking with us. He was thrilled to meet the people. He went to their houses; he was sitting with them, talking to them, truly engaged.”
Chairperson Sheehan’s personal visit reflected Lions strong commitment to the well-being of all residents. Following his time in the community, Sheehan notes, “This project had a profound impact on me. As I trekked through the harsh terrain, I was met with a field of emerald green just on the other side of the hill which will soon be filled with cashews and silk worms to support the local community's economy. These CSR projects can have an enormous impact on communities where our Lions live and work.”
The entire population of Pimpurna Village, which is approximately 750 people, and residents of nearby communities will benefit from this project. As villagers plant additional crops and have sustainable access to water, there will be a drastic improvement in their socio-economic status and greater community stability. The success of these efforts has been so encouraging, Lions hope to implement similar irrigation methods in a different village every year for the foreseeable future to continue bringing water to those who need it, regardless of the season.
Learn more about our CSR program and how LCIF India works with some of India’s leading corporations and foundations to meet their CSR goals and positively impact communities.
Shelby Washington is the content specialist at Lions Clubs International Foundation.
