Increasing salinity in land and water resources has displayed adverse effects on agriculture, forestry, industry and drinking water sectors leading to adverse economic and social consequences. It is also inflicting unacceptable environmental damage to the society. Gujarat has the largest coast line of 1600 km hence rapid salinisation is developing as a major environmental catastrophe. |
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Over a period of time, the problem of salinity is attaining serious proportions and continues to severely affect the lives and livelihood of about 1/5 (10 million) of the total population of the state, living in approximately 1500 villages. The process of salinity ingress has adversely affected underground water aquifers making it unfit for human consumption. Moreover, the prolonged use of saline ground water for irrigation has led to a decline in agricultural and horticulture productivity and soil fertility, rendering the land unsuitable for future cultivation. This has resulted in all round hardship to local people forcing them to migrate in search of livelihood. In response to the problem, government of Gujarat as well as civil society organizations has taken up various initiatives on different parts of the coasts of Saurashtra and Kutch. However, the initiatives and their impact compared to the nature and scale of the problem are not commensurate and there is a need to narrow down this gap by synergizing the resources and efforts of various stakeholders engaged in the process. |
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Consequently, Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell (CSPC) a joint initiative of AKRSP (I), Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Government of Gujarat, has been visualized as a fulcrum to develop and strengthen various initiatives of government and civil society organizations, aimed at addressing the issue of salinity. Salinity is multi-sectarian and complex in nature, demanding systematic response. Considering the complexity and the multi faceted nature of salinity problem, substantial impact was felt necessary, wherein joint efforts of both, government and civil society organizations are required. This possibly could be done through an umbrella organization in the form of CSPC. This resulted from a dialogue process between civil society organizations and other partner NGOs, Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Government of Gujarat, which issued a circular on April 12, 2004, constituting the CSPC and its State level Steering Committee headed by Secretary Water Resources, Government of Gujarat. As on 7th April, 2008 CSPC registered itself as a Company under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956. |
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| Roles & Responsibilities: |
In order to understand, articulate and address the issue of salinity in context of sustainable development of the affected people and region, the envisaged role of CSPC is to:
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Network among institutions |
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Facilitate action |
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Leverage resources at various levels. |
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| CSPC, through its various initiatives tries to: |
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Network with individuals, groups and concerned government departments; |
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Facilitate efforts of individuals, civil society institutions and concerned departments through technical and professional support by providing extension, training, media, exposure visits and education inputs; |
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Generate awareness amongst people in project areas and educate them directly or through civil society organizations about the problems of salinity, need for judicious use of water, improved water saving technologies, etc.; |
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Develop products for dissemination of research and improved practices for effective communication and awareness generation; |
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Promote research and studies on specific issues related to salinity; |
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Implement projects, advise and support other agencies in project implementation; and |
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Mobilize funds through grants, government programs, consultancies, etc. |
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CSPC, a unique initiative, is designed as a strategic institutional intervention attempting to combine comparative advantages of resources (financial and human) of government and civil society organizations. |
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| Along with consolidating the present programmes of the partner NGOs, CSPC strives to: |
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facilitate creation of a comprehensive project model encompassing physical, vegetative and economic aspects, carried out in a participatory manner with financial and institutional sustainability; |
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facilitate up-scaling the programme by expanding in other geographical areas and mobilizing external resources; |
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