How Farmers Reshaped a Region and Solved Drought

Permaculture Instructor Andrew Millison travels to the village of Laporiyah in Rajasthan India to see the 45 year water harvesting and community development project spearheaded by waterman Laxman Singh. We spent 2 days touring the village with Laxman and his team, including well known academic Vishnu Sharma. Vishnu has specialized in the revitalization of Rajasthan during his long career and we were very lucky to have him as Laxman's interpreter. This village has experienced such an incredible transformation due to the work of the villagers, it is hard to express in one video. For my regular viewers, you will see that this is flat terrain, with very different strategies than the regularly visited hilly locations. Enjoy!

Laxman Singh's Organization GVNML:

Map Animations:

Oregon State University Online Permaculture Design Course:

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[Building_Bluebird]

Imagine the world if people everywhere embraced working with nature designing intelligent water system and permaculture.

[mrrodriguezHLP]

Mr. Singh and his organization isn't saving lives, they're saving generations. What a beautiful gift to the world.

[jojoorisis]

I often see videos about environmentalists showing off by planting tree saplings 1 by 1. These men build irrigation systems that turns the whole village green. I think these kind of informative videos deserve more attention in the media/internet

[BlizznDeKizzn]

This is what a true leader looks like. Working for the people, not just for themselves. Making lasting changes that improve lives for generations to come.

[oceanmariner]

Another great video. Rajasthan is a near desert, yet these people have turned the land green. And pumping irrigation water from the pond doesn't lower the level tells me the ground water is just below the surface. Your videos should be mandatory education for farmers in dry areas. I farmed, but where water wasn't an issue. But visiting other farmers in dry areas heard their ground water was dropping so they had to drill deeper every few years. I knew there had to be a way to recharge the ground water, but only recently have I seen US stories about recharging systems.
Have lunch on me.
Thanks!

[keeparizonawild]

As an American it’s so weird to see a political leader who isn’t taking full advantage of exploiting the people. What beautiful respect he has from the people.

[Alvaro]

Simply beautiful. I am from Spain and I cannot fathom why we are not doing the same here given our dire situation. Worst of all, many people here look over their shoulders to those areas thinking that we belong to the "developed world" and those areas are almost medieval, while being oblivious, or denying, the fact that Spain is desertifying rapidly. What a shame!
We need help.

[rosanilebron]

India is facing a major water crisis in Bengaluru, Karnataka. These people, who have done such a magnificent work, should be the advisers for the Government to help solving problems with their own resources. I watch this type of content and my heart gets very happy to know that there are communities that still help each other to progress and live a life less difficult.

[finestrellacaustica]

I live in northern Italy and in the southern region of Sicily they are currently suffering a major drought. They are extremely worried water will completely run out by summer. What is being done in India is truly inspirational and I just can't believe how poor water management is in certain parts of the so called "West".

[arvind]

I was going to nominate Laxman Singh ji for padma award (one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day) but was pleased to know that Laxman singh ji was awarded Padma award in 2023. These are based on public nominations and I am happy and proud to see that people recognized Laxman-jis work and am thankful to the government for conferring him with such an honor. Padma award is the top most award and being recognized in a country of 1.4B means a lot. May there be more Laxman-jis all over the world. Humbled. Thank you Andrew for bringing this gem of an episode. 🙏🙏

[thedivide]

Who says a few people can’t make a difference? What a great story!!!

[locomotive]

Laxman Singh is an example of what an authority figure should be.

[dfool]

What I really like about this story is that this proves that there is still hope for our planet. There is no mention of using any high tech gadgets or ground breaking discoveries or "special projects" of large wealthy organizations or corporations. Its just a combination of the following;

1. Leaders who have no personal interests or ambitions or abusing their positions. They really care about their communities. Have the political and moral will to take action.

2. Learned people or scientist/experts are being heard and followed.

3. People are cooperative and not selfish. Are wise enough that if the community benefits they benefit.

4. They didn't need any new high tech device or ground breaking method. Just knowledge, careful management of their environment and team work.

These 2 men deserves a Nobel in my humble opinion.

[walesruels]

God bless India! 🙏🇮🇳
With love from the UK ❤🇬🇧

[SkwerlPlushie]

19s ago lucky me

I show my friends your videos about drought resilience and it really helps them feel less anxious about the ability for humans to have positive impacts on the ecosystems thet live in.

Thank you for your videos!

[kajalsingh]

At the 6:54 mark--that little buffalo stealing a bite of hay! LOL. I am convinced that the success of this village is the underlying belief that they felt compelled to help their neighbors even after they were successful in their endeavors. They realized that we are one family and need to help each other out.

[Cincinnatijames]

Imagine that, working as a community for a shared goal has rises all tides🤔

[busker]

I am currently developing a food forest on my 61' by 120' rental property in the center of Tucson, AZ in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. I started on July 11, 2021. I have had 8 or 9 loads of arborist woodchips delivered and spread all over the property. Now, it is a food forest that I do not water any more. I don't remember the last time I watered, but it was definitely in 2023. Probably around the holidays. I am so loving it!

[truthseeker]

I say it is saving itself and will save the world. I do not own land but the Mexican dessert could benefit greatly from this and so could the plains of northern Texas and the Ogallala aquifer.

[plodimsocks]

5 to 10 feet? As an Australian I am spellbound. Beautiful work, absolutely life changing. A mosaic net work of intersecting water channels… simple, but genius. The things this could change.