Ralegan Siddhi: A Model of Watershed Development

In the 1970s, Ralegan Siddhi was a highly drought-prone, impoverished village suffering from severe water scarcity, soil erosion, and widespread alcoholism.

In 1975, Baburao Hazare (Anna Hazare) returned to the village after retiring from the Indian Army and initiated a massive transformation focusing on Watershed Development and community mobilization.

• Water Conservation: Villagers constructed check dams, percolation tanks, and bunds to harvest rainwater. This significantly raised the groundwater table.
• Afforestation: Massive tree-planting drives were undertaken to prevent soil erosion and improve the micro-climate.
• Sustainable Agriculture: The village shifted from water-intensive crops to drought-resistant crops, utilizing drip and sprinkler irrigation.
• Social Reforms: A strict ban was imposed on alcohol, smoking, and the open grazing of cattle (to protect newly planted trees).

The initiatives turned the barren landscape into a prosperous, green village. Agricultural yields multiplied, poverty was eradicated, and Ralegan Siddhi became a textbook example of sustainable rural development. The village's success is now taught in Geography and Environmental Studies curricula across India.