Work on Ramrekha is showing a ray of hope

The story of reviving the Ramrekha River originates from the Dumaria block of Gaya district and the Dev block of Aurangabad district in Bihar. These blocks are extremely drought- prone areas. In the absence of irrigation facilities, there was a sway of unemployment and rampant migration. This area had become a recruitment center for the Naxalites. The farmers of these areas were agitating since 1952 to build a dam on the Ramrekha river near Chhakarbandha Panchayat. In every election, this Issue was raised at the local level. Every candidate promised to get this done, but nothing happened.

In 1992, an estimate of eight and a half crore rupees was also made by the Irrigation Department of the Government of Bihar, in which there was discussion of building a dam at a place called Budha- Budhi on the Ramrekha River. However, due to some constraints, it did not work. For a long time, when no initiative was taken by government in this regard, the people associated with the Gokul Foundation took the lead in this matter and within a few years, the Budha- Budhi dam was completed. The work for which the government had made an estimate of eight and a half crores, was done in less than two crore rupees by Gokul Foundation. Budha-Budhi Project was a peoples project. Common man contributed immensely to the success of this project. Social organizations like Aakar Charitable Trust also extended their helping hand very liberal way.

After the construction of the Budha- Budhi Dam, one more work was done. A Canal was also dug to carry the water from the dam to the field of the farmers. Hundreds of people offered their free labor or months and thus built a canal that is 3 km long, 22 feet deep, and 17 ft wide. With the construction of dams and canals, all the ponds and wells of the nearby area gradually recharge themselves. All this had miraculous result which even the people of Gokul Foundation did not imagine, Soon the Ramrekha river reappeared with its ever- flowing currents. The river, which did not have a drop of water in December, started flowing even in the scorching heat of June- July. Millions of people & animals got benefitted It was virtually a new lease of life for the farmers. Today, water flows throughout the year in the Ramrekha River. No doubt Ramrekha was a small river and therefore, the challenges were less. But Ramrekha’s experience is enough to prove that river do not die, they just disappear. Once the due effort is done, they reappear with their ever-flowing currents.

Gokul Foundation of India is working diligently on the basis of the experience and understanding that developed while working on the Ramrekha River.

It will be no exaggeration to say that the Niranjana Recharge Mission is driven by the energy and goodwill of the Gokul Foundation.