When the sun scorches down on Rajasthan, it doesn’t just tan skin and dry up throats—it threatens lives. In this desert state where the mercury often rises above 45°C, survival becomes a battle, not just for humans but for the countless birds and animals that roam its arid lands.
For us, summer is a sweaty inconvenience—solved with fans, cold drinks, and shady retreats. But for strays who have no shelter, no voice, and often no one to care for them, summer is unforgiving. The numbers tell a chilling tale: in March 2024 alone, over 88% of rescued birds and nearly 6% of reptiles and mammals in Bengaluru were found severely dehydrated. That’s in a city blessed with more green cover. Now, imagine the situation in Rajasthan—a place where green is a memory and the desert rules.
But in the parched heart of Jodhpur’s Bawarla village, seven friends looked the heat in the eye and said, “Not on our watch.”
The Birth of a Movement
It began with just Rs 1,000—pooled together by seven government employees. Moved by the sight of camels collapsing from thirst (yes, even camels), they placed humble bowls of water and grain around the village. They called themselves Jeev Jantu Premee Bandhu Sanstha — Friends Who Love Living Beings.
“We didn’t even have a single tank in the village to store water for the animals,” recalls Dinesh Bishnoi, a founding member and officer at AIIMS Jodhpur. “That’s when we knew—we couldn’t wait for someone else to act.”
So they did.
They used their initial savings to build water tanks, revive dried-up ponds, and place daily offerings of 50 kg of grain and clean water. What began as a grassroots gesture soon caught fire. Villagers took notice, and the movement grew. From 7 to 690 members. From 1 village to 35. From one tank to 71 reservoirs serving over 5,000 litres of water a day.
A Network of Compassion
In a region where the terrain is harsh and the greenery sparse (beyond the resilient Khejri and Kair trees), these everyday heroes have done the unimaginable. Their operations now span across Jodhpur, supported by a web of teachers, police officers, nurses, farmers, and local villagers—all united by compassion.
Their system is brilliantly simple:
- Every member contributes a minimum of Rs 100 monthly, mostly on amavasya (new moon day), for convenience and consistency.
- Volunteers track water levels and food availability.
- Reports and refill requests are sent via WhatsApp — a lifeline for coordination across vast, rural distances.
“We monitor everything through the app,” says Prakash Bishnoi, a railway nurse and core member. “Video calls, photos, updates—all in real time. That way, we ensure no tank goes empty.”
And it works. Over Rs 46.76 lakh has been collected since 2021, with Rs 43.89 lakh already spent directly on welfare activities.
Not Just Water — But a Future
Their mission doesn’t stop at hydration. During the Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak, the team distributed Rs 6 lakh worth of medicines. They’ve planted 8,500 saplings to fight desertification and distribute 150 quintals of grain every month for birds.
They serve dogs, cows, deer, nilgai, and even majestic migratory guests like the Siberian Kurja cranes in Jajiwal Dhura.
But here’s what sets them apart: they help those with no owners. “We don’t focus on domestic animals,” Dinesh emphasizes. “We care for those who have no one.”
And this isn’t a seasonal campaign. It’s a full-time operation, managed alongside their demanding government jobs. “During monsoons, we save funds since there’s less need for water. That saving helps us prepare for the brutal summers,” Dinesh explains. Strategic. Thoughtful. Tirelessly humane.
From WhatsApp to Water Tanks — Powered by People
Jeev Jantu Premee Bandhu Sanstha is, at its heart, a community-powered revolution. No flashy tech. No celebrity endorsements. Just good people doing great work.
And yet, it’s caught the attention of the local government, which has extended its support to this unique initiative.
“When you see a thirsty cow sprinting towards the tanker from a distance, there’s no looking away,” Prakash shares. “That’s what keeps us going.”
Their goal? Simple. No animal or bird in Rajasthan should die of thirst or hunger. Ever.
How You Can Help
If their story has touched your heart, here’s how you can be part of this journey:
Donate to Jeev Jantu Premee Bandhu Sanstha
- Account No: 40759264207
- IFSC Code: SBIN0032069
- UPI ID: 9414119372@sbi
- Contact: +91 94141 19372
Your contribution, no matter how small, could fill a water bowl. It could save a life.
In a world where scrolling past suffering is easy, these seven friends chose action. And in doing so, they’re proving something extraordinary: compassion, when multiplied, can change the harshest of landscapes—one water bowl at a time.