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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