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Digital revolution in remote tribal village: Maharashtra's Rohini becomes model gram panchayat
Digital revolution in remote tribal village: Maharashtra's Rohini becomes model gram panchayat

Time of India

time6 days ago

  • General
  • Time of India

Digital revolution in remote tribal village: Maharashtra's Rohini becomes model gram panchayat

By Anjali Ojha Dhule: In the quiet, remote tribal-majority village of Rohini, tucked away at the foothills of Satpura in Maharashtra's Dhule district, the rugged terrain stood as a barrier to basic services, but a silent digital revolution is transforming lives and bridging the gap. "Using technology here for us was not an option, it was an opportunity," Chief Executive Officer of the Jila Parishad, Dhule, Vishal Narwade, said. Mobile internet and e-governance applications have made essential services such as healthcare, education and finance increasingly accessible to residents while also empowering them through digital democracy at the grassroots level. The gram panchayat was recently awarded the gold medal in a first-of-its-kind award for 'Grassroots level initiatives for deepening service delivery at gram panchayats or equivalent traditional local bodies' for its exemplary digital initiatives. With the population scattered in hamlets, access to services was always a challenge. The gram panchayat is now using information and communication technology not just to provide amenities and disseminate information but to also enable the locals to join Gram Sabha meetings virtually. Narwade said while only 45% of the local tribals are literate according to the last census figures, digital literacy is at 100%. "We informed the locals, held meetings of the Gram Sabha, made the locals aware, and convinced them that digital technology can help as they are struggling for physical connectivity. "Education, health, Anganwadi - technology is being used everywhere to ensure delivery," Narwade told PTI. "Any model will be successful only with local participation. We used government platforms and we developed a website through which one can access all services sitting at home," he said. Narwade said a website was developed for the panchayat by a local youth, who has also taken the responsibility to maintain it. "You will see a smartphone in everyone's hand. They already knew how to use smartphones, we just trained them how to use government and panchayat websites and apps to make their lives easier," he said. "We ensured that they don't need to come physically to the Gram Panchayat for small things - like if they need any certificate - birth, death, or marriage certificate, they can get it online," he said. Besides the local panchayat's website, government websites like the Meri Panchayat app, and digital platforms like e-Gram Swaraj, and Panchayat Nirnay App are among those being used. Narwade said when the Gram Sabha meeting is called, those who cannot join the meeting physically can join it online, ensuring more people's participation in decision-making. The journey was not easy though. In this remote area with hilly terrain, the internet was not always available. The gram panchayat has seven hamlets with scattered population of 7200. Deputy Sarpanch of the village Vasant Pawda said local demand for better internet connectivity grew louder, with some even suggesting boycott of elections at one point. They reached out to telecom companies, and the government departments, eventually leading to telecom infrastructure seeing improvement. Mobile phones are also being used to enable access to telemedicine facilities for locals. "The population here is scattered and doctors can't go there every time. So the health workers here, ASHA and ANMs, visit local homes and they connect them to doctors," said Dr Rashtrapal Ahire, Medical Officer, PHC, Rohini. If locals have an issue with mobile connectivity, the volunteers use their own mobile phones to connect them to the doctors, and also provide them medicines, he said. Tele-medicine facilities are also available for cattle, who are tagged and their information digitised in a database making it easier to track the animal for vaccination and monitoring. The village Anganwadi is also leveraging on government's platforms like the Poshan Tracker app, and a dashboard at the Anganwadi centre helps in monitoring progress. Vasant Pawda, deputy sarpanch of the village, said they aim to become a global model for digital democracy at the grassroots level. He said they aim to have a Single Digital Window for the village for all programmes and digital inclusion of every citizen. "With scattered population, remote villages, and migrant worker population, access to services was an issue, which could be resolved due to internet. Now we aim to have one window through which all services and information can be accessed," Pawda said. Rohini is a gram panchayat under Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, (PESA) with over 80% tribal population. It is located at the foothills of Satpura Hills at the interstate border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, around 85 km away from the district headquarters. PTI>

Net gain: Maharashtra panchayat adopts eOffice system
Net gain: Maharashtra panchayat adopts eOffice system

Indian Express

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

Net gain: Maharashtra panchayat adopts eOffice system

A panchayat in the tribal belt of Maharashtra has adopted paperless governance, courtesy the eOffice system extending its reach to the grassroots level. Rohini, located in Maharashtra's Dhule district, is possibly the first village panchayat in the country to implement the eOffice system, a digital workplace solution for government offices. Vishal Narwade, chief executive officer, Dhule Zilla Parishad, said the eOffice system started in the village this year. 'It was mandated from January 1 for district level, we extended it to panchayat too,' said Narwade. He said Rohini is the first panchayat to operate in paperless eOffice mode, though there is no official data yet to confirm it. Located at the foot of the Satpura hills near the state's border with Madhya Pradesh, Rohini is a 'PESA Gram Panchayat', a term used for gram sabhas in scheduled areas which are empowered by the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also known as the PESA Act. The panchayat has a population of 7,200 spreading over the main village — Rohini — and 7 hamlets (Jagnapada, Bomalyapada, Chirkhanpada, Kalapada, Dampada, Piplyapani and Navapada). Over 80% habitants of Rohini panchayat are tribals, mostly from the Pawara tribe. Until recently, the residents of the panchayat had to walk miles to avail services as their hamlets were located 1-7 km away from the panchayat office. The advent of information and communication technology (ICT) in the village has changed the situation, with residents opting for online service delivery and grievances redressal. The people at Rohini panchayat, which had a literacy rate of just 45% in 2011, now boast about achieving 100% digital literacy. The panchayat uses at least eight different types of ICT platforms, including its own website that allows its residents to avail various services. The others include use of digital platforms such as eGramSwaraj, Panchayat Nirnay app for online participatory decision-making, citizen-centric service delivery via Common Service Centres (CSCs), Panchayat ICT lab for digital literacy, videoconferencing facility and Meri Panchayat app for grievance redressal and seeking suggestions. The latest ICT initiative is the introduction of the eOffice system that helps the village panchayat officials send and receive files in electronic mode. Speaking to The Indian Express, gram panchayat secretary Manoj Dilip Kumavat said that files from the Block Development Office are received and sent back using the eoffice, which was introduced in February this year. Apart from its website, the Rohini gram panchayat also has its own YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram account and a WhatsApp group. It also released its own E-governance policy last year. Narwade said bulk SMS and calling systems are used to disseminate information about government schemes, gram sabha meetings are held in physical and virtual mode where people of the village join remotely and telemedicine facility is available from the primary health centre to all the hamlets in the panchayat. Rohini sarpanch Dr Anand Pawara said the digital initiatives introduced by the panchayat have ensured effective implementation of the government schemes on the ground. Prasanna Kulkarni, a block-level health official, said the footfall of patients, particularly the number of institutional deliveries, has increased after adoption of ICT. Rohidas Surmal Pawara, 30, a resident, said he has availed the online services for getting a birth certificate and registering his grievances regarding non-supply of drinking water and electricity. The digital push by the Rohini gram panchayat has earned it accolades and awards. Recently, it bagged Gold in the National e-Governance Awards, 2025 under the newly added category —Grassroots Level Initiatives for Deepening Service Delivery at Gram Panchayats or Equivalent Traditional Local Bodies — which recognises digital initiatives by panchayats. According to officials, representatives of other PESA gram panchayats have visited Rohini. It has been selected as the panchayat learning centre by Pune-based Yashwantrao Chavan Academy Of Development Administration, the administrative training institute of the Maharashtra government, said Sharadchandra Mali, deputy director at the institute. For this, the Rohini panchayat received funding of Rs 7 lakh from the Central government, Mali said. (The writer was in Rohini village on the invitation of Ministry of Panchayati Raj) Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More

Threatened, near-threatened birds flock to Udaipur's Menar wetland
Threatened, near-threatened birds flock to Udaipur's Menar wetland

Hindustan Times

time19-05-2025

  • General
  • Hindustan Times

Threatened, near-threatened birds flock to Udaipur's Menar wetland

In Rajasthan, a small village, less than 50 km off Udaipur, has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot with sightings of several threatened and near-threatened bird species over the last few years. These sightings and community-driven conservation efforts have bestowed Menar with the moniker of 'bird village'. Two wetlands — large and deep Brahma and small and shallow Dhandh — along with a host of ponds constitute the Menar wetland complex, providing habitat to nearly 200 species of birds every winter. A bird census earlier this year, conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society and the state's forest department, revealed presence of several species of vultures and a large number of resident and migratory wetland birds around the grasslands of the hamlet. Recent sightings include species such as cinereous vulture, long-billed vulture, Himalayan griffon vulture and Egyptian vulture in the grasslands, besides Asian wooly-necked stork, ferruginous pochard, Dalmatian pelican, and black-tailed godwit in the wetlands. Villagers conserving these wetlands for generations as a 'common' resource for their livestock and water requirements during the dry season, have only recently realised that the hundreds of birds that are spotted in these wetlands, perched on balconies and temple tops, are in fact threatened species. 'We conducted a bird census in Menar along with the forest department. All wetlands in India fall in the Central Asian Flyway. Menar also plays a very important role because of its strategic location in southern part of Rajasthan. It's important to understand why so many birds are visiting that area,' Sujit Narwade, deputy director, Bombay Natural History Society, said. He emphasised the key role the 'very supportive' local community plays in ensuring the birds are safe. 'Menarians are known for their coexistence with birds. Look anywhere in the village and you will find birds. In Rajasthan, we largely see this love for nature. We see the same thing at Khichan bird sanctuary as well,' he added. Menar is not one wetland, but a complex of wetlands, making it conducive for birds, which normally visit large areas with multiple wetlands and grasslands. 'For example, cranes will feed in the farm land and come to roost in the wetland. There are so many grasslands nearby which also support unique and endangered species like vultures. This is seen in Menar. We are trying for some long-term studies around the village to understand the commute of migratory birds,' Narwade said. Menar wetland complex was notified in 2023, effectively giving it legal protection and ensuring that the land use cannot be changed. However, the move has evoked mixed reactions from the locals, popularly known as Menarians. While residents are happy with the recognition to their collective conservation efforts running into generations, their primary concern stems from the apprehension whether such legal protection would restrict their rights to graze livestock or extract fertile soil from wetlands. A proposed 765-KV sub grid power station near the Kheroda wetland, also part of the Menar complex, is also a reason for their concern as locals believe the project could endanger migratory birds that traverse Kheroda on their way to Menar. The gram panchayat of Kheroda has objected to the proposal, according to documents seen by HT. 'These wetlands are formed through a collection of rainwater and overflow from our farms. Brahmasagar overflow forms Dhandh wetland while Dhandh lake's overflow creates other ponds. We do not extract water from these overflow wetlands because these are left for livestock and birds,' Shankar Lal Menariya, former vice-sarpanch of Menar, said. Villagers' resolve to the wetland free of disturbance may also have helped create a bird habitat in Menar. 'Hunting and fishing is not allowed here. Even disturbance to still water is discouraged. There is strict penalty for those who violate. The birds need fish, which is in abundance in these wetlands,' local resident Mangi Lal Menariya (82) said. The scientific assessment of bird diversity has enhanced the pride of villagers, who see themselves as custodians of these wetlands, the octogenarian said. 'We have consciously decided not to allow any shops, commercial establishments bordering these wetlands because that can disturb the birds,' another resident Shankar Lal said. Birders like Darshan Menariya, by documenting the frequent sightings in the recent years, have played crucial role in establishing Menar as a key bird habitat. 'You can never become familiar with any species unless you know their names. Once I started identifying them by name, it became addictive and very interesting,' Darshan, who also teaches at a government school, said. 'During winter, you can see 200 species of birds. We see two species of Pelicans — greater white pelican and Dalmatian pelican — as well as common cranes, flamingos that come from Rann of Kutch, and sarus cranes, etc. Black-necked stork has started breeding in Brahma Talab. We have created some islands for roosting of these birds and planted acacia mainly for their nesting,' he said. 'We also see a lot of common pochards here. They are an indicator of clean water. Bar- headed geese also come in large numbers from high altitude areas.' Darshan's work has also inspired several youngsters take up birding as a hobby. 'Every time there is a rare bird sighting many of us are very excited. Most of the younger generation can identify birds here,' 20-year-old Hemlatha, Darshan's niece, said. Sharing Aravalli commons In sharp contrast to some parts of the Aravallis, where mining and real estate are threatening common lands, Gogunda in Udaipur district sees a network of ponds being conserved, utilised and carefully rationed by villagers. The rule here is clear — use water from wetlands efficiently for irrigation, leave the rest for livestock, wild animals, insects and birds. Kanji Ka Guda village in Gogunda tehsil is an example of how wetlands, pastures, hills, small streams and sacred groves are carefully managed as 'common' lands spanning around 400 hectares of Aravalli landscape. 'The rule is that villagers can take water only for the Rabi crop. There is enough water for the crop. The rest will be left for livestock, animals and birds because if there is no water, there is no life,' Bawar Singh (70), head of a local committee looking after pasture land, said. Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), a non-profit, in its monitoring of the area has found at least 36 species of odonates (insects), including the red marsh trotter, black stream glider, blue ground skimmer, ditch jewel, blue darner, and little blue marsh hawk. These findings are likely to be published in a journal soon. Migratory bird species, including greenish warbler, garganey, citrine wagtail, Siberian stonechat, ferruginous duck, white wagtail, western yellow wagtail, green avadavat, red-breasted flycatcher, bluethroat, common pochard, green-winged teal, northern pintail, gadwall, and northern shoveler are also reported in Gogunda. Just as in most places across Rajasthan, caste is a dominant aspect in all villages, including Menar. But when it comes to 'commons', the rules are even. 'You may say that caste inequities take a backseat when it comes to access of common resources,' Vinod Paliwal, senior programme manager, Foundation for Ecological Security, said. While Gogunda is largely dominated by scheduled tribes, Menar is an all-Brahmin village. (The reporter is a recipient of Promise of Commons Media Fellowship, on the significance of Commons and its community stewardship)

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