Ideally, any local intervention is expected to be a part of water resource management of the region and the efforts as well as goals should go along with the general guidelines of WRM in the region. This includes geo-hydrology topography, economics, soil mechanics, and environmental impact assessment. However, vision, mission, specific goals and style of functioning give a face to any such intervention or organization.
In this light, the first impression SJT gives is of a sincere effort towards solving the age-old problem of water in Saurashtra region, which was initiated by Mathurbhai as sentimental tribute to his native land, which later grown into a large scale intervention. These efforts are by and large supported by GoG financially, but do not seem as holistic as some crucial aspects of WRM are not implemented uniformly. This is mainly because the government schemes also tend to be compartmentalized with its machinery and thus the efforts are implemented only locally and sporadically, rather than making a dent on overall situation of water resources. Water resource management also requires support of appropriate policy and legislation.
SJT seems to promote principle of trusteeship through mobilizing finance and reflecting sentiments for the native place for solving age-old problem of water through check dams. It perhaps wishes to remain water-focused, does not want to intervene for other aspects of better quality of life. In present scenario, with check dams and improved agriculture & income, new problems of optimum utilization of resources, especially water, finance and environment are surfacing. SJT should take initiative and address these issues with a pro-active approach. SJT should not remain a role model for problems related water only but should expand its wings to encompass wider issues of progress and social, economic upliftment in society.
