Gandhi of Lukapalli Village
Lukapalli is a small hamlet of Pipalkunta village in western Odisha, in the Paikamal Block of Bargarh District. Nestled under the tropical forest of western foothills of Gandhamardhan hill. The region, though rich in natural resources, is home to a significant concentration of poor people. Despite receiving around 1500 mm of rainfall annually, the area remains drought-prone due to inadequate water conservation and irrigation facilities. While there have been significant investments in infrastructure to exploit the region’s natural resources by the Government, little has been done to support the ecosystem-dependent people centric rural economy.
The Gandhamardan reserve forests extend from the hilltop to Lukapalli. The villagers have long protected the dense Sal Forest on the eastern side of the hamlet from deforestation, recognizing that their survival depends on it. The community’s primary livelihood is rainfed agriculture and collecting non-timber forest products like Kendu leaves and medicinal plants. Most agricultural lands are degraded forest uplands to the west of the hamlet, which villagers have leveled through hard work. However, without irrigation, these lands do not provide sufficient income, forcing many villagers to migrate for work.
Shri Gandhi Rana, a resident of Lukapalli in his late thirties, exemplifies this migration trend. As a truck driver, he spent months away from home to support his family. However, in 2021, local organizations, including Gram Pragati o Parivesh Vikash Pratisthan, AID, USA, and IRBMS, Kolkata, collaborated with the Lukapalli community on systematic soil and water conservation activities to rejuvenate the forest fringe agri-based ecosystem. Despite his busy schedule, Shri Gandhi mobilized the community with GPPVP, leading to significant changes in Lukapalli.
The first pond was excavated on a small piece of land behind Shri Gandhi Rana’s house. By the summer of 2023, ten additional ponds were systematically dug. In central India, tribal areas often resist using good agricultural land for ponds, requiring extensive engagement to demonstrate the benefits of farm ponds. These ponds enhance soil moisture, increase groundwater levels, and improve agricultural economics. Additionally, they provide a new income source, complementing GPPVP’s plantation activities.
Recognizing the benefits quickly, Gandhi not only constructed the first pond in the village but also initiated fish farming. He introduced the unique idea of cultivating Magur Fish (Cat Fish) in the small pond. He also began growing vegetables and fruit trees on previously unproductive land. His experience as a truck driver exposed him to Magur Fish cultivation, which he implemented as a revolutionary step for income generation and water conservation.
Gandhi’s pond measures 30 ft by 40 ft with a 9 ft depth. In August 2023, he stocked it with 1200 Magur fishlings at a cost of Rs. 1200/- only. By June 2024, the fish had grown to 700 gm to 1 kg each. Selling them at Rs. 150 per kg at Paikamal Market, Gandhi sold 200 pieces. During the 2024 summer, he fed the fish 2 kg of food daily for 2-3 months, costing Rs. 8000. He is pleased to have approximately Rs. 1 lakh worth of fish remaining in the pond, alongside cultivating rice, vegetables, and fruits with the available water.
Gandhi and his family are now busy with his farm and ponds he stopped going outside as truck driver.
Inspired by Gandhi’s success, more farmers in Lukapalli have started fish farming in their new ponds. The systematic water conservation measures are transforming the lives of Lukapalli farmers. In the summer of 2024, ten more ponds were excavated, and eight small ponds are in progress. The villagers are planning additional water harvesting structures to sustain this positive momentum.
বা:। খুব সুন্দর ছিমছাম হয়েছে। অনেকদিন পর আবার গঙ্গা নিউজলেটার দেখে ভালো লাগছে।