Girganga Parivar Trust (GGPT) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening rural water security through community-led water conservation and groundwater recharge initiatives. Working primarily in drought-prone regions of Gujarat, the Trust focuses on building decentralized water harvesting structures such as check dams, recharge bore wells, and other watershed interventions that help capture monsoon runoff and restore underground aquifers.
Since its inception, GGPT has worked closely with local communities, farmers, and institutions to address the growing challenges of groundwater depletion, erratic rainfall, and climate variability. Through participatory planning and sustainable watershed development, the organization aims to enhance water availability for agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, and build long-term resilience in vulnerable regions.
Over the years, GGPT has implemented thousands of water conservation structures across multiple districts, contributing significantly to groundwater recharge and improved water access for rural communities. The Trust’s approach combines traditional knowledge, community participation, and practical engineering solutions to create scalable and sustainable models for water security.
Guided by a vision of a water-secure and climate-resilient rural India, GGPT continues to expand its efforts to support villages in restoring their natural water systems and strengthening the foundation for sustainable development.
🌊 Gujarat · Saurashtra
Girganga Parivar Trust was established in 2017 as a grassroots initiative focused on Gau Seva (cattle welfare) and strengthening rural livelihoods in Gujarat. The initiative began with the collective participation of farmers, community leaders, and volunteers dedicated to supporting rural communities through livestock care and community service.
The movement was led by Mr. Dilipbhai Sakhiya, a respected farmer leader, social worker, and former President of the District Kisan Sangh in Rajkot. Through his grassroots leadership, he mobilized villagers, gram panchayat representatives, youth volunteers, civil society organizations, and industry supporters to build a community-driven platform for rural development.
As the initiative progressed, the organization witnessed the severe challenges faced by farmers due to water scarcity, declining groundwater levels, and recurring droughts across Gujarat. Recognizing that sustainable water resources are fundamental to rural livelihoods, the Trust gradually expanded its mission to include community-led water conservation and groundwater recharge initiatives.
What began with the cleaning and rejuvenation of a few silted check dams soon evolved into a large-scale grassroots movement for decentralized water conservation and watershed restoration.
Today, GGPT has grown into one of Gujarat’s impactful community-driven initiatives for water conservation, groundwater recharge, and rural climate resilience, working closely with villages to strengthen long-term water security.
Began with cattle welfare and rural livelihood support, building community trust across Gujarat's villages.
Recognised that sustainable water resources are fundamental to rural livelihoods — expanded mission accordingly.
One of Gujarat's most impactful community-driven initiatives for water conservation, groundwater recharge, and rural climate resilience — working across 8 districts and 619 villages.
SDG 6 · Clean Water
SDG 13 · Climate Action
SDG 15 · Life on LandSince its establishment, Girganga Parivar Trust has steadily expanded its efforts to address water scarcity and groundwater depletion in drought-prone regions of Gujarat.
Through strong community participation, institutional partnerships, and support from CSR organizations and government agencies, GGPT has implemented thousands of decentralized water harvesting structures that capture monsoon runoff, recharge groundwater aquifers, and support agricultural livelihoods.
Recognizing the growing crisis of groundwater depletion and water scarcity in rural Gujarat, the Trust expanded its mission to include community-led water conservation initiatives.
Early work focused on:
This phase laid the foundation for GGPT’s long-term water conservation movement.
The water conservation initiative rapidly expanded across several districts in the Saurashtra region. Through collaboration with farmers, gram panchayats, and local volunteers, GGPT facilitated the construction and rejuvenation of thousands of decentralized water harvesting structures including check dams and groundwater recharge systems.
During this period, the organization’s work received national recognition.
In 2023, GGPT received the Jal Prahari Award, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, UNOPS and the National Jal Jeevan Mission, acknowledging its contribution to community-led water conservation.
The water conservation program evolved into one of the region’s most active grassroots environmental movements. Thousands of water harvesting structures were constructed and rejuvenated across multiple districts through strong community participation.
During this year, GGPT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, strengthening collaboration for expanding community-driven water conservation initiatives.
In the same year, the organization was honored with the Mayor Award 2024 by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation for its contribution to water conservation under the Pani Bachao Abhiyan.
By 2025, GGPT had facilitated the creation and rejuvenation of thousands of water conservation structures across more than 500 villages across Gujarat.
Key highlights of this phase include:
In 2025, Model recognized in Parliamentary proceedings as a scalable grassroots solution under the Public–Private–People (PPP) model.
Featured in a national documentary by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for decentralized, eco-friendly, people-powered execution.
GGPT also received the Global CSR and ESG Award recognizing its impactful community-driven water conservation initiatives in Saurashtra Region.
The organization continued to grow rapidly with increasing support from CSR partners and public sector institutions.
Major milestones during this period include:
GGPT was also recognized as Best NGO – JSJB 1.0 (Second Rank at All India Level) by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
These efforts collectively contribute to an estimated 2.5–2.7 TMC groundwater recharge capacity, significantly supporting rural agriculture and water security.
In 2026, GGPT organized Jal Katha – Apne Apne Shyam Ki, a unique public awareness initiative focused on promoting water conservation and responsible water use.
The event created a historic moment where thousands of people collectively took an oath to conserve water, making it the world’s first mass public water conservation pledge through a Jal Katha event.
5 International World Record Recognitions
Building on its growing impact, Girganga Parivar Trust continues to expand its mission with the long-term vision of rejuvenating 1,11,111 water conservation structures across India.
Through community participation, scientific watershed planning, and collaborative partnerships, the Trust aims to strengthen rural water security, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience for thousands of villages across the country.
2017
Foundation – Gau Seva
2019
Start of Water Conservation
2021
Expansion
2024
Regional Movement
2025
Impact Milestone
Future
Vision 1,11,111 Structures
The work of Girganga Parivar Trust is guided by a committed Board of Trustees with experience in agriculture, rural development, community mobilization, and financial management. The Board provides strategic direction while ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of the organization’s mission.
Mr. DILIPBHAI SAKHIYA
A veteran grassroots leader and water conservation advocate with more than two decades of community engagement, he initiated the “1,11,111 Jal Sanchay Sankalp”, a people-driven movement aimed at restoring water systems through community participation and decentralized watershed development.
Under his leadership, the organization has mobilized farmers, village institutions, youth volunteers, and development partners to collectively work toward strengthening water security across rural regions.
GGPT is committed to promoting environmentally sustainable water management practices that restore natural water systems and ensure long-term availability of water resources for agriculture, ecosystems, and rural communities.
We believe that lasting change happens when communities actively participate in planning, implementing, and maintaining water conservation initiatives.
GGPT maintains high standards of transparency, ethical governance, and accountability in all its programs.
GGPT collaborates with communities, government institutions, CSR partners, and organizations.
GGPT continuously explores innovative approaches and integrates practical knowledge with field experience.
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To strengthen rural water security through community-led water conservation, groundwater recharge, and watershed development initiatives that enhance agricultural productivity, support rural livelihoods, and build resilience to climate variability.
A water-secure and climate-resilient rural India where communities sustainably manage and protect their natural water resources, ensuring long-term agricultural prosperity, ecological balance, and improved quality of life for future generations.
