
In 1985, the people of Balavadi, Tal. Khanapur, Dist.-Sangli built the Baliraja Smriti Dam on the river Yerala using Shramdan and ingenuities use of natural resources. It was the first dam in India built by citizens without government assistance. This dam has proved the principle that sustainable development can be achieved by proper utilization of natural resources. 'Baliraja Dam' is also famous as a symbol of the burning movement of people to achieve environmentally sustainable development.
Ugam Foundation in collaboration with Maharogi sewa samiti, Vadodara constructed an innovative Karmyogi Baba Amte Smriti Tyre Bandhara at Peth Tal. Walava, Dist. Sangli. Built using waste tires which are harmful to nature, this dam has a water holding capacity of 50 mcft. 100 farmer families of Peth village and surrounding area have got water security due to this dam.
Sampatrao Pawar was the first to propose the concept of the Agrani river revival project. The volunteers of our organization conducted a search mission on foot and traced the source of the river Agrani in Khanapur taluka. With the participation of local people, five kilometres of the river from the source were cleaned. The initial six dams of the 'Agrani river revival project' were constructed with the help of local people's polls and philanthropy. Received fundamental guidance from Water expert Mr. Rajendra Singh Rana.
This Agrani river revival project initiated by Sampatrao Pawar has received the highest National Water Award in India from the Jalshakti Mantrayla, Central Government of India.
WATER BRIGED (Innovative water supply machineries (like fire-bridged) to save crops from drought) Necessary systems are built to reduce the severity of damage in natural calamities like fire. However, such a system does not exist in severe calamities like drought. That's why the fire brigade is always ready to fight against calamities like fire. In the same way, to save the crops in the time of water shortage during the drought, an emergency water supply system (Fire-brigade type drought-brigade) was prepared to create a system to save the orchards and crops of poor farmers.