DHAN Vayalagam (Tank)
Foundation

(Water Thematic Collective of DHAN Foundation)

DHAN Vayalagam Foundation

Water is elixir of life. Water is everywhere on our planet, in the air, in our bodies, in our food and in our breath.
Without it life as we know it would not be possible.

DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation

DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation's Quaterly Magazine which focusses on Water Situation in our country

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Water Matters

DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation's Annual Report

DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation

DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation, is a professional grassroots action oriented development organization with sub sectoral focus on water initiated on October 2, 2006.

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Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture Development Programme

Through the Vayalagam Farmers Organisations, DHAN facilitates rehabilitation of tanks for not only restoring the physical structures to their originally designed standard, but more importantly, facilitating the proper maintenance of the tanks, efficient water management and implementing improved cropping practices in a sustainable manner.

Promoting Community Governance in Water Resources

DHAN organises the framers and farm labourers dependent on each tank into Vayalagam Associations, networks them at the cascade level (chain of tanks linked hydrologically) and federates them at the block or district level to take up conservation drive on the large scale, as well as builds alliances with private, public and non-profit organisations working on tank systems.

Augmenting Storage Capacity of the Tanks

Through the Vayalagam Farmers Organisations, DHAN facilitates rehabilitation of tanks for not only restoring the physical structures to their originally designed standard, but more importantly, facilitating the proper maintenance of the tanks, efficient water management and implementing improved cropping practices in a sustainable manner.

Tank-based Watershed Development

An individual tank with its own catchment, water spread and command area is an integral part of a watershed within which it is situated. A cascade of tanks forms a micro-watershed by itself as the tanks are interlinked, often by a common stream or by the surplus water of an upper tank feeding a lower one.

Walk of Glory

Milestones of 25 Years of Vayalagam Programme

  1. Initiation of Tank Rehabilitation Project

    1992

    Initiation of Tank Rehabilitation Project in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu (by PRADAN)

  2. Initiation of Tank Rehabilitation Project

    1992-1994

    Implementation of tank rehabilitation works at system tanks with 75% of contribution from District Rural Development Agency and farmers contributed 25% of the project cost.

  3. Implementation of tank rehabilitation works

    1993-1994

    Submission of proposal for Regeneration of Farmers Management in Tankfed Agriculture to Ford Foundation

  4. Initiation of New programme

    1994-1995

    1. Initiation of programme in Ramnad district at Kamudhi and Mudukulathur blocks.

    2. Completion of 1st phase pilot project at Madurai district.
  5. Support for Pilot Tank Project

    1994-1996

    The Ramnad District Rural Development Agency's support for pilot tank project at Kamudhi & Mudukulathur blocks with 75% & 25% contribution model.

  6. District level Tank Farmer's Federation concept

    1995

    District level Tank Farmer's Federation concept was evolved and promoted the First Federation at Ramnad district.

  7. Vayalagam Programme Expansion

    1996

    Vayalagam Programme was expanded to Theni, Villupuram, iruvallur districts with the invitation from the district administrations.

    Madurai District Tank Farmer's Federation was promoted.

  8. Deepening at South Indian level.

    1996-1997

    Consolidation of tank rehabilitation project, initiation of programme expansion and deepening at South Indian level.

  9. Expansion in Andhra Pradesh

    1997-1999

    Expansion to Kanchipuram, Chioor districts of Andhra Pradesh. New components such as microfinance, endowment to tank institutions, intensive focus on tankfed farming initiated. Tank based watershed development was evolved.

  10. Support from Multiple Agencies

    2000-2003

    Expansion to Kanchipuram, Chitoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. New components such as microfinance, endowment to tank institutions, intensive focus on tankfed farming initiated. Tank based watershed development was evolved.

  11. Launch of Vayalagam Movement

    2002, March 7

    Vayalagam Movement was launched in the presence of Anna Hazare to further the community-led water resources development nationwide.

  12. Neerkattis at Madurai Symposium

    2003

    More than 1000 Neerkais gathered at Madurai Symposium 2003 for sharing their experiences and resolved to revive and stabilize effective water management.

  13. Projects for Oorani renovation

    2005-2006

    Tank-based watersheds were done for Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department under NWDPRA.

    Projects for Oorani renovation was initiated in Tuticorin, Kanchipuram and Ramnad district and started collaboration with Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), Canada for promoting Bio-Sand Filter.

  14. DHAN Vayalagam Tank Foundation

    October 2,2006

    An exclusive institution 'DHAN Vayalagam Tank Foundation' was launched to focus on scaling-up.

  15. Madurai Marathon (Run for Water)

    2007-2008

    Madurai Marathon (Run for Water) was organised to sensitise the public and raise funds. ITC-Rural Development Trust sponsored CSR projects to revive tanks in Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu was launched.

  16. Launch of CURE

    2008

    Centre for Urban Water Resources (CURE) was launched

  17. DEWATS community-government joint initiative in Panaiyur

    2009

    DEWATS community-government joint initiative in Panaiyur was launched. Launched CSR Project with BPCL and HPCL in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Gundar River Basin level Federation Collective was launched to take up long-term restoration drive.

  18. Conservation and Development of Tank Cascades in Gundar Basin

    2010

    Launched Conservation and Development of Tank Cascades in Gundar Basin in partnership with Hindustan Unilever Foundation and NABARD to rehabilitate 250 tanks.

  19. DHANA Project

    2011

    Launched DHANA Project with the support from AXIS Bank Foundation to renovate 750 water bodies in Pambar-Koakaraiyar Basin covering 4 districts

  20. Ahar-pyne renovation at National Policy seminar

    2012

    Prepared manual for Ahar-pyne renovation at National Policy seminar as part of India Water Week with the Union Minister Shri Jayaram Ramesh.

  21. Annual Tamil Nadu Water Week

    2013

    Launched Annual Tamil Nadu Water Week in partnership with consortium of TNAU, Anna University and MIDS.

  22. Collaboration with NABARD

    2014

    Initiated collaboration with NABARD as a Resource Support Organisation for Andhra Pradesh to guide watershed development programme.

  23. Promoting Farmers Producer Organisations

    2015

    Launched a programme for promoting Farmers Producer Organisations with NABARD Support for 19 crops all over India. Vaigai River Pageant was organised as a start for Vaigai River Restoration drive. Water Knowledge Centre was launched in Tata-Dhan Academy

  24. Phase II of Hindustan Unilever Foundation sponsored project

    2016

    Phase II of Hindustan Unilever Foundation sponsored project in Gundar Basin to renovate 450 water bodies was launched. Expanded Ahar-pyne renovation programme in Munger district, Bihar and Tank-based watershed programme in Khammam district, Telangana with ITC Support.

Programmes

DHAN Foundation initiated an action research project in 1992 for regeneration of farmers' management in the tank irrigation system. Later it took a shape of a scalable 'Vayalagam Tank-fed Agriculture Development Program', which has expanded its approach of working on isolated tanks to tank-based watersheds, reviving chains of tanks in minor river basins to multiply the impact of the renovation and restoration works.

Building People Organisations

DHAN Stresses on building People's Organisations to conserve and develop water harvesting structures.

Functions of Peoples Organisations

Various functions of People Organisations like Vayalagams, Cascade Vayalagams and Vayalagam Federations

All for the Tank

The works follow a priority set by the users namely , acquisition of water, Conservation and Development , Improving the water use efficiency and rehabilitation works

Tiny loans work

Micro Finance Groups (MFGs) are meant to sustain the institutions beyond the project period. The members of Vayalagams and other interested villagers are members of MFGs.

Farming and Tank

To ensure a successful harvest, the farmers are now helped to sink community wells or tube wells in the water spread areas. These supplement the tank water supply.

Recharging the Aquifer

Catchment area treatment, drainage line treatment, rehabilitation of the water harvesting structures are needed so that all the rain water is captured within each watershed boundary.

Quality Hands Matter

Everyone is given a thorough exposure to how DHAN works and why, and is trained rigorously to contribute meaningfully to DHAN’s programmes. The aim is to make the professionals aware of DHAN’s philosophy.

Our Numbers

297182

Small & Marginal Farmers benefitted by us

4443

Vayalgam Farmers' Associations promoted by us

83,500

Hectares of command areas with ensured access to water with DHAN efforts

120,000

People with clean access to water through drinking water ponds constructed by DHAN

Our Reach

SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGNS

DHAN Foundation & Vayalagam Foundation has embarked on a historic mission to Uplight the Nuritution Value of our Women & Children. Help us fight campaign for Nutrition Security

Gallery

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Testimonials

Hear it from the words of the Experts and legends about our excellence and our deeds.

Team

Meet our dynamic team where each has aspired to selflessly sacrifice his/her life for the cause of the humanity. Lets wish them all the best in their endeavours

Lokesh P.

Prject Executive

Sarah Jhonson

Product Manager

William Anderson

CTO

Contact

Contact us for more details

Our Address

1A, Vaidyanathapuram East, Kennet Cross Rd,
Vaithiyanathapuram, Madurai,
Tamil Nadu 625016

Email Us

dhantank@dhan.org

Call Us

91-452-2302500