The transformation of Hiware Bazar

Hiware Bazar, a village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, has won national renown for the metamorphosis it has undergone. Once drought prone, it is now green and fertile thanks to community led efforts of water conservation and management. Hiware Bazaar is a success story of the Comprehensive Watershed Development Programme, implemented with the help of NGO's, the village panchayat and government agencies.

Popat Rao Pawar is the man credited with initiating the turnaround story of Hiware Bazar. He was first elected sarpanch in 1981.

Contour trenches dug and trees planted across the hillocks in the village to arrest run-off water. Residents have been persuaded to stop cattle grazing there.

Earthen bund, boulder bund and percolation bund tank built and around village to store water and thus prevent drought.

Water harvesting increased has increased the number of wells, which in turn provide more water for irrigation.

Digging bore wells for irrigation is prohibited. Use of sprinklers and drip irrigation is common.

Residents grow crops which are relatively less water intensive. Onion, Jowar, vegetables, and flowers.

An innovative means of pumping out ground water.