Urvara refers to fertile land; we found this apt as our whole endeavour revolves around making barren lands productive. 

Our unique way of plantation through the one liter water technique is of the people,for the people and by the people.This solution is completely indigenous making it inherently sustainable.

Agroforestry involves the use of land and technology for the planting of trees and shrubs along with crops to create diverse, profitable, healthy and sustainable systems. Agroforestry practices repairs and restore the ecosystem.

Agroforestry practices help 
a)farmers to convert their barren lands into green belts
b)It increases the crop yield
c)it helps in reestablishing ecological balance
d) It prevents soil runoff
e)helps in obtaining fodder for cattle 
f)also facilitates timber and firewood for the artisans and the households.

I agree that deserts have their ecosystem, but what is disturbing is more and more lands are getting arid, and that is when the equilibrium gets disturbed. By reviving indigenous species, we are helping the biodiversity get back to as it was earlier. Unfortunately, rogue species like vilayet babool are wreaking havoc on the land and all it supports. We concentrate on growing indigenous species, like Ber ,Ardu,Moringa,Neem etc in the case of Rajasthan. These trees support the indigenous birds and animals, so their migration can also be prevented.

The long road to biodiversity is riddled with obstacles. Some ways of reviving the biodiversity are as follows: 
a)Planting indigenous varieties
b)Bringing down deforestation
c)Bringing in environmental literacy
d)Arousing the human conscience towards other forms of life in the nature.

Things were not easy initially. The first thing was to earn their trust. A community that has faced discrimination does not come forward. Moreover, the lack of education makes them resistant to change. The village elders needed to be taken into confidence, for they knew the land like none other, and their advice and cooperation was invaluable. I created a small ebook to educate children and elders of the village about the regional problems and solutions .With a lot of advocacy and campaigning, we proceeded and slowly but steadily tasted success with mutual respect.

We are in partnership with local village government called Panchayats,local Government Schools,local Animal Husbandry organizations,local women,self-help groups,and the local government officials engaged with local schools.They all contribute in the form of mentorship,work,sharing of resources and creating awareness.

Urvara must become a national movement. Like Rajasthan, many other places face water scarcity and related problems. Society needs to be alleviated from the evils of unequal distribution of opportunities and resources. There is a need to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots. We need to get back the biodiversity of yore. I want to contribute towards this end. And from what I see, this can only happen when

According to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)that prepared a report on desertification in 2007,about 69 percent of land in the country is dry ,making it vulnerable to water and wind erosion,salinization,and water logging.
This,we feel this project of one litre water technique for plantation can be used and adopted anywhere and everywhere.

I owe the successful first phase execution to a number of factors. Those who helped with funds volunteered by way of shramdaan and in campaigning in the gruelling heat. Padma Shri Sundaram Verma, who revived the 1 l water technique, has inspired me immensely. My mother has been a strong pillar of support in all my endeavours. And I am indebted to the community that found my movement to be a force to be reckoned with. They gave a young boy patient hearing, found his ideas worth a try, and today are the wind beneath the Urvara wings.

Covid 19 brought numerous restrictions in our movement and access to resources. It was extremely difficult to fetch water, which accelerated the dire need to find a permanent solution to this water problem.
Yet, I should mention that I got a lot of extra time to work on my calling during the remote workdays. I also noticed that general awareness about the environment has increased. People know more than ever before, understand that for this world to be a good place for future generations, the present generation needs to take care of the oxygen cylinders and water providers, out trees.

Urvara’s core focus is on ensuring environmental justice for all. No one should have their lives crippled due to a lack of basic natural resources – an unfortunate harsh reality for many in Rajasthan and indeed beyond. Being born into a region with no water or greenery, endemic poverty as well as widespread unemployment is not a CHOICE.

We are mitigating the impact of these problems in Rajasthan, with our efforts culminating in achievements such as access to green playgrounds for school children irrespective of their caste, religion or gender.

Urvara works to bring basic resources and amenities and distribute them fairly among all. This sense of environmental justice at Urvara is best showcased through the successful integration of Gadia Lohars, a socially and economically marginalised nomadic community, as equal beneficiaries of our project. Not only did this inclusion and respect give them joy and courage, it also brought the team at Urvara a renewed sense of purpose

This has been a life-changing experience for me. It is not just about the people I work for or with. I have realized the collective responsibility that we owe to the community. I have realized what a community can achieve once mobilized towards a common goal. I now know that we can move mountains together if we set our heart on.