People Participation In Community Works And Their Drought-Related Problems In The Man River Basin

Abstract

This research paper examines the role of community participation in drought mitigation and assesses villagers’ perceptions of government drought relief programs in the Man River Basin. Utilizing primary data collected from 400 respondents across the Satara, Sangli, and Solapur districts in 2024, the study evaluates awareness, effectiveness, and impact of key government initiatives such as the Integrated Watershed Development Program (IWDP), Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan (JSA), Indo-German Watershed Development Program (IGWDP), NABARD Holistic Watershed Development Programme, and others. The study also investigated the socio-economic challenges faced by rural populations during droughts, including water scarcity, crop failure, fodder shortages, unemployment, and health risks. Findings revealed that there are sharp disparities in community participation and program effectiveness across districts of the Man river basin. The study also found significant structural vulnerabilities which are persisting in Man river basin. The study arrived at conclusion that there is need of strengthening local governance, enhancing community engagement, and improving communication strategies to foster drought resilience.