1262 Salesian Brother Alex receives India's top recognition of BGVK for long-term watershed project
austraLasia 1262

Salesian Brother Alex receives India's top recognition of BGVK for long-term watershed project
(information drawn from BIS sources)

AHMEDNAGAR: 26th September 2005 -- In New Delhi, September 16th, at a high profile function involving the who's who of the Indian Government Ministry of Environment and Forests, Salesian Brother Alex Gonsalves, pioneer and present director of Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK), accepted the prestigious all India award "for exemplary work in the Watershed in and around Ahmednagar.  Also on stage to receive the award with him was Fr Anaclete D'Mello, Managing Director of the Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) which coordinates development activities in the Province of Mumbai.  A number of grassroots members of BGVK were also in the audience.
    The honour was well-deserved.  The project is an outstanding development project involving the trapping of rainfall and prevention of excess runoff and soil erosion. It is also something of a personal triumph for Bro Alex who has put 17 years into its many facets.  The Ministry booklet for the awards reads: BGVK has done excellent work on soil and water conservation...and adopted a watershed development approach through participatory planning, implementation and maintenance".  In addition to watershed development works in 11 villages, BGVK has established 64 self-help Groups (SHG) of women involved in poultry and goat rearing, savings schemes and cashew farming.
    BGVK's work has been recognised by institutions all over Maharashta and in other states.  This has prompted the building of a fully furnished Training Centre which provides much needed input to leaders and rural folk from all over India.  Bro Alex has received a string of local and regional awards for his work, but this is the first time he has been given such national recognition.
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