Meet The Water Warrior Reviving Traditional Farming In Gujarat’s Dang District

"Dang ka paani, uska paisa, aur uske log—teeno hi uske nahi hai." ("Dang doesn't own its water, wealth, or people.")These were the words of Neeta Ben Patel, a tireless water conservationist who has been working with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in Gujarat's Dang district since 2013.Tucked in the northwest of Gujarat, Dang is a largely tribal district of around 2.5 to 3 lakh people. Despite receiving generous annual rainfall (about 2,000–2,500 mm), it remains chronically water-scarce, especially during the peak summer months of April to June. Most of the rainwater rushes off the hilly, basalt-rich terrain without recharging groundwater, leading to widespread drought and distress migration.A Mission To Restore LifeWhen Patel first arrived in Dang, she found villages abandoned for half the year. "Farming was impossible in the kharif season due to water scarcity. Families were forced to migrate for work," she recalled.That bleak situation spurred her life's mission: to build water security and dignity for Dang's residents, many of whom are from Indigenous communities. Over the past 12 years, Patel and a dedicated team of 90 have implemented a sweeping watershed management programme across the district's 311 villages.Their strategy: capture every drop of rainwater and make it count. The team has built a dense network of check dams, contour trenches, ponds, boribandhs (makeshift reservoirs made of soil-filled sacks), and farm ponds. Irrigation solutions like solar-powered mini lift systems and mobile engines now help farmers water their fields year-round.Today, a generation of farmers is finally able to grow crops in both kharif and rabi seasons. And women, once burdened by the daily chore of fetching water, have found time for self-help groups, financial independence, and even leadership roles in their communities."I couldn't let others go through what I did," said Patel, her voice trembling but determined. "This is just the beginning of a better future for Dang."On A Personal JourneyPatel's work is deeply rooted in her own experiences. "I watched my mother walk miles each day to fetch water," she shared. Raised in Mograwadi village in Gujarat's Valsad district, Patel belongs to the Dodia Patel community. She studied Rural Studies and joined AKRSP in 2002, beginning her work in Bharuch's Netran village.Her transfer to Dang in 2013 marked a turning point. Here, she wasn't just a development worker—she became part of a movement to restore the land, reimagine livelihoods, and rebuild the confidence of an entire district.Understanding The ChallengesWhen Patel arrived, she was puzzled: how could a region with so much rain remain barren? "Only when we studied the terrain did we realise how fast the water ran off, taking fertile topsoil with it," she explained.With the district's terrain dominated by basalt rock, rainwater had little chance of seeping underground. Recognising this, Patel and her team shifted their focus to surface water conservation. In collaboration with AKRSP and local communities, they began harnessing the flow of the region's four rivers—Gira, Khapri, Ambika, and Purna—by constructing check dams, farm ponds, and earthen reservoirs. Their strategy is simple but effective: first, slow the flow of water; then, capture and store it for long-term use. Trenches, stone bunds, and nala plugs help reduce the water's speed and prevent erosion. Tree plantations with the forest department help retain moisture in the soil. Next, structures like check dams and boribandhs hold the slow-moving water in place.What gives me satisfaction is seeing women step out of their homes and become financially independentSince 2010, 90 check dams and 117 farm ponds have been built across Dang. These water bodies are then connected to farms through irrigation systems—including 112 solar mini-lift systems and 39 mobile engines—allowing for year-round agriculture."Reviving the land means reviving livelihoods," Patel said. "Water is at the heart of everything."A Ripple EffectThe impact has gone beyond agriculture. "What gives me the most satisfaction," Patel said, "is seeing women step out of their homes—to attend meetings, receive training, and become financially independent."In villages like Gundvahal, Amsarpada, Dhumkal, and Kakshala, you can see the change. Once-barren fields are green, children go to school instead of migrating with their parents, and communities are reclaiming their future.Patel's work has earned her admiration—some call her a "Water Messiah." But she quickly shrugs it off. "I'm just giving people what they've always deserved," she said. "There are so many other parts of the state that still need support. My journey is far from over."OT Discovery: Hodka, An Artist's Village In Gujarat Famous For Embroidery And Leather Work