Shivganga Samagra Gramvikas Parishad (https://shivgangajhabua.org/) is an innovative intervention founded by Shri Mahesh Sharma, dedicated to Holistic Rural Development in the Jhabua-Alirajpur region of Madhya Pradesh. Engaging over 3,000 volunteers, Shivganga connects with more than 1,500 villages.
The population of over 200,000 consists predominantly of the Bheel, Bhilala, and Pateliya communities. The region serves as a cultural and geographical hub for the tribal societies of Western India. However, despite the fact that approximately 90% of tribal families here own cultivable land—which represents significant potential for self-sustainability—a large portion of the tribal population is compelled to migrate to cities in search of labor work for their livelihood.
This displacement is driven by several factors, including indiscriminate forest destruction for urban expansion, severe water crises, forest produce and livestock shortages, the collapse of agriculture and rural systems, and government interventions that often lack understanding of traditional lifestyles and customs.
Shivganga’s approach emphasizes harnessing the wisdom and resilience of the tribal community. Recognizing the untapped potential of youth aged 18-35 who have left school, Shivganga has focused on empowering these individuals to become change agents within their communities. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that Parmarth ignites Swabhiman (self-respect), which fosters Swavalamban (self-reliance), ultimately leading to Akshay Vikas (sustainable development).
Since 2004, Shivganga’s Youth Empowerment Camps have been central to this transformative vision. These camps inspire and guide young individuals to embrace their inherent Parmarth, equipping them to confront and tackle the challenges faced by their communities. Through comprehensive training programs, these empowered youths embody inspiration (prenatmak), possess knowledge (Gyanatmak), and are skilled (Kaushalatmak) to address various challenges within their own villages. They develop a profound understanding of their villages’ needs, come up with innovative solutions, and implement impactful strategies.
In pursuit of sustainable and holistic rural development with active community participation, Shivganga has thoughtfully designed programs for the enrichment of Jal(Water), Jangal(Forest), Jameen(Land), Janwar(Animal), Jan(People) in Jhabua.
Today, hundreds of these trained youths are actively contributing to their villages in significant ways. They are engaged in 17 crucial dimensions of village prosperity, including water conservation, afforestation, land enrichment, animal husbandry, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship. Shivganga’s initiatives continue to foster sustainable development, envisioning a future where each village not only thrives but also serves as a centre of comprehensive learning and progress.
