The World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd March annually across the globe. The theme selected for 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. On this occasion, this report puts together the top ten positive water stories from Rural India during past one year. The compilation underlines the successful collective actions from village communities in the creation, protection and revival of local water sources including ponds, lakes, tanks etc. which are far better, sustainable and cost-effective measures for meeting potable and irrigation water requirements at local levels.
1. Bundelkhand Villagers revive a river In Bundelkhand a rivulet called Odi has water throughout the year. This stream is completely rainfed and only 20 kms long. But we saw it was still flowing in March. What could be the reason? What made this stream different from most of the other streams in the region? And what role did MGNREGS play in its revival?
Odi starts at a place called Madawara, in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Before it empties its water at the reservoir of the Jamni dam. But in this journey, Odi also satiates the water requirements of eight villages. Work on reviving the stream began in 2018. It was completely funded by money from MGNREGA. The villagers along with an NGO drew up a three-stepped plan. The first step was to remove the silt that was choking the check dams. The villagers then deepened the streambed and finally planted nearly 25,000 saplings along the side of the banks of the stream. The roots of the trees would allow easy percolation of water into the soil helping the stream to retain water throughout the year. This work that nearly lasted for a year, gave employment to 558 families and created nearly 71,000 man-days of work.
Approximately Rs 1 crore was spent to revive this stream. Odi’s transformation into a perennial stream also increased the fortunes of all the eight villages along its banks. The total arable land around these eight villages is about 6,000 acres. But before the waterworks, the villagers could grow only one crop, once the rains came. But after the rejuvenation, these villages could grow more than two crops a year. An additional 700 acres of wasteland was also made arable. All this led to a 69% increase in the average annual incomes of all the families in the area. The average incomes increased from Rs 40,200 to Rs 68,000 per year. The revival of Odi is testimony to the fact that water scarcity and drought need not be a curse for a water deficit region like Bundelkhand. Numerous streams and rivulets flow through the region which if restored properly could lead this water deficient region to a water surplus one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc2ySdzYdtI (30 March 2023)
A community path to replenish groundwater Thanks to revival of old farming practices and growing community involvement in all matters relating to water, this village is now known as a model jalgram, or water village.
Jakhni is a settlement of 1,600 people, mostly farmers. Its stony, hilly terrain is typical of Bundelkhand, an arid region spread across parts of the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This region receives between 800 and 1,300 mm of rainfall annually, but locals quip that like their children, who all tend to migrate away for better opportunities, the rainwater runs off too. The rocks that lie beneath the region are not very porous, and there are relatively few aquifers (layers of underground water). As a result, most of the rainwater flows away from the region instead of being locally absorbed.
Here Mr Pandey plans to start the first water university in the coming year and says his work is far from done. “The university will synthesize insights about water conservation and water security from across India,” he says. “Rather than just academics and experts, I’d like to see ordinary people with practical experience teaching there.” His phone rings constantly, and his ringtone, the Hindi version of the anthem “We Shall Overcome,” seems appropriate. “We have to keep at it, build bunds in other regions, and convince more people about the importance of every drop of rain,” he says. “For water can’t be made — it can only be conserved.” https://reasonstobecheerful.world/banda-india-drought-community-water-budgeting/ (7 Dec 2023)
Troubled by the drought, a farmer of Kund village in Chhatarpur crated a small check dam on Dhasan river without any government help. He started building the check dam in 2014 and completed it after more than 8 years of hard work. https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/madhya-pradesh/state/chhatarpur/chhatarpur-farmer-unique-initiative-distressed-by-drought-dam-built-on-dhasan-river-in-8-years/mp20230515120629939939781 (15 May 2023)
Strong case for shifting resources from mega to small water conservation projects Bharat Dogra argues: While there is widespread agreement on according high priority to resolving the water problems here by finding sustainable solutions, there is a lot of difference of opinion regarding how to go forward in this. Already in recent decades several large and medium dam projects have been constructed here and a district like Lalitpur is known as the district perhaps most known for such projects. Despite this people have continued to experience water scarcity quite frequently. While people just now are happy regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission being busy with providing water connections in all village homes, serious concerns regarding the depletion of water sources persists.
The biggest & most highly publicized water project being implemented here, involves a large dam & canals and which has been called the first river-link project is the Ken-Betwa River-Link Project. https://countercurrents.org/2023/12/a-strong-case-for-shifting-resources-from-mega-water-projects-to-small-water-conservation-projects-in-bundelkhand/ (31 Dec 2023)
2. Madhya Pradesh Tribals adopt Halma to fight drought In Jhabua and Alirajpur, Bhil tribals have constructed 91 ponds called Halma in the villages through community participation. 900 youth in 900 villages of Jhabua and Alirajpur have received training as village engineers. They have become proficient in the work of making check dams, making and deepening wells, improving tube wells, and making sacks. So far, water structures with water holding capacity of more than 481.43 crore liters have been constructed through Halma. In 1,322 villages of Jhabua-Alirajpur, the work of repair and deepening of 500 wells, construction of water structures have been done by Halma to Bhil community. https://hindi.mongabay.com/2023/05/01/tribals-of-jhabua-solving-drought-through-community-participation-halma/ (01 May 2023)
Halma: how a tribal festival helps harvest water Halma, which translates as ‘call for help,’ has been a traditional practice among the Bhil community. In Jhabua, the tradition is now linked with water conservation. The district has been a drought-prone area, resulting in migration, single-crop agriculture and unemployment. In 2005, Shivganga, an NGO working in the region, initiated efforts to mitigate the water crisis here.
The traditional practice involves people coming together to construct lakes at different places, resulting in water rejuvenation. Contour trenching has also been introduced to channelise for optimal use. It leads to an increase in water availability and enhancement of soil moisture. Residents of around 1,300 villages continue to practise the tradition. After rainfall, trenches and contour lines fill with water, preserving soil moisture for the dry season. The stored water is used for irrigation, this festival’s community participation eases burdens and distress, despite ongoing tribal struggles.
The water conservation and resource management took the form of an annual festival at the Hathipava Hills of Jhabua in 2009. It has been a regular feature since then. The event begins with an invitation being circulated to over 40,000 families to attend the festivities organised by Shivganga. Now the two-day event is celebrated every year between the festivals of Maha Shivratri and Holi in Feb-March. https://www.villagesquare.in/halma-madhya-pradesh-tribal-festival-promotes-water-conservation-and-environmental-healing/ (27 July 2023)
3. Odisha Ganjam farmers adopt System of Rice Intensification The Ganjam district project management unit under the Berhampur Forest department is laying stress on the SRI method of cultivation and drawing the farmers towards it. This has come as a relief for the distressed farmers fed up with crop loss and reduced output in the traditional method of cultivation. SRI method of cultivation is being implemented in the district with the support of the state government, the Green Climate Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This has helped many farmers in becoming self-reliant and financially independent. Farmers think that this new method is helping them raise their crops without hassle. In SRI method, 8-10-day-old paddy saplings are transplanted within a distance of 25 cm on wet but not flooded farmlands. This helps in the growth of the roots.
As a result, paddy saplings get more air, sunlight, and nutrients. Jute and long beans are sown along with paddy as green manure. The de-weeding machine is used every tenth day to clear weeds and unwanted shrubs on the farmlands. This helps in aeration of the soil and the weeds also act as organic manure for the crop. The cultivation is resilient to standing water and dampness on the farmland. The output is more where there is proper movement of air. When contacted, Ranjan Kumar Bhoi, the district coordination officer of the Agriculture department said this year over 900 farmers in Chikiti, Rangeilunda, Khallikote and Ganjam blocks have taken up SRI method of cultivation which initially started with only 30 farmers on 10-acre land in 202-23 FY. Assisted by two voluntary outfits Lipika and Pallishree and supervised by 30 experts, an additional 870 farmers have taken up the cultivation this kharif season on 200 acres. The cultivation was initially started by training the farmers in 39 villages. An increase in cultivation in the coming days can help check climate change and benefit the farmers, Bhoi added. https://www.orissapost.com/ganjam-farmers-bring-turnaround-in-paddy-farming-with-sri-method/ (31 Dec. 2023)
4. Local initiatives key to climate change adaptation Evidence of adaptation measures from India suggests that people have used various measures locally, from construction of small check dams, using locally sourced raw materials to protection of forests from the timber mafia, and more. A collective approach has helped make sense of climate change adaptation.
In 2011, the UNDP-UNEP published a guide for mainstreaming climate adaptation into development planning. The framework necessitates the understanding of the connections between climate change and national developmental priorities, and includes governmental, institutional and political contexts and needs. It says that such efforts have to be based on country- or region- and local-specific evidence, including impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, socio-economic analysis, and demonstration projects. This becomes important for states like Jharkhand with a high degree of climate variability, vulnerability, and with varying and diverse forest and soil types.
In 2015, the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) was established to meet the costs of adaptation to climate change for those states and Union territories particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. However, this fund too has seen drastic cuts. In 2017-18, while there was a total allocation of Rs 115.36 crore, the funding came down to Rs 34 crore in 2022-23. In 2023-24, the NAFCC, along with funds for the Climate Change Action Plan and some others, was discontinued.
Around 40-45 workers, many of whom villagers, worked on the check dam project for months. The 40-feet check dam constructed in Hesatu village of the Donki Panchayat has become a source of irrigation for several nearby villages. “Check dam was created which still has water, and almost 200 acres of land is being irrigated without any motor or any other irrigation system; the river has been diverted to take it towards the fields,” Herenj said. “There is a policy gap in the understanding of the government about what climate action would mean. Climate action does not just mean planting trees, but also involves supporting communities in local initiatives.” https://www.indiaspend.com/climate-change/why-local-initiatives-may-be-key-to-climate-change-adaptation-886557 (22 Dec 2023)
5. Nagaland A water-scarce village farms with traditional wisdom Through the indigenous Ruza farming, locals channel rainwater using intricate forest-based networks to irrigate crops, ensuring sustenance. This method not only mitigates water scarcity but also conserves biodiversity. Recognized by the govt, Ruza stands as a model for rain-reliant regions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-250ImU3QyQ (11 Aug 2023)
“Ruza, means ‘impounding water or run-off water pond or tank for irrigation’ in the Chokri dialect. But researchers and reports have popularised it as the Zabo system,” Tunyi said. Zabo is a small pit dug within a paddy patch, ideally used for rearing fish. However, Ruza is a larger pond spreading to about 0.2 hectares, used for storing run-off water.
The forest lands are the main catchment areas. The village residents cut channels in the forests and in every possible catchment area to channelise the rainwater to the ponds. Water flowing through the several steep village roads is also impounded by constructing speed breakers or placing stones and directed to the Ruza. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/08/ruza-a-traditional-water-harvesting-system-for-the-water-scarce-mountains/ (11 Aug. 2023)
6. Tamil Nadu Namakkal’s solutions for water woes Namakkal district has successfully addressed its water scarcity challenges and become the second-best district in India in terms of groundwater availability according to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry’s annual ranking. The district was facing acute water scarcity before 2022 and a number of water conservation activities, lakes, rivers, springs protection and reconstruction works were undertaken by the district administration in 5 municipalities, 19 town panchayats & 322 village Panchayats.
A comprehensive approach involving community participation, rainwater harvesting, sustainable agriculture, efficient water management systems, installation of artificial recharge structures and robust policies was undertaken. Around 685 individual farm ponds, 530 community farm ponds, 113 recharge shafts and 105 check dams were constructed. Trenches were cut across 84 locations. About 1,400 kms of minor streams, rivers & 49 tanks were rejuvenated. Encroachments spread along the waterbodies were removed. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/tamil-nadu-s-namakkal-has-some-solutions-for-india-s-rising-water-woes-90331 (30 June 2023)
7. Maharashtra Mission to conserve water A few years ago, a group of friends got together to start movement on water conservation. Their mission was creating 500-cr litre water storage in small hamlets of drought-prone North Maharashtra. Under this mission, 450-crore litre of water reservoirs have been created in 80 villages in nine districts. The mission has now won recognition at United Nations. ‘Mission 500-cr Litre Water Storage’ was started by Ujjwa Kumar Chavan, an IRS officer of 2010 batch, in 70 villages in Chalisgaon tehsil of Jalgaon district.
The movement was started in Dhamangaon, a small hamlet, in Maharashtra in 2017. The mission works on the principle of ‘Put the Diesel and Use the Machine’ for constructing small check dams and water bodies. Through people’s participation and planning in the Gram Sabha, deepening and widening of river is done to construct dams and ponds in village areas. “So far, under this Mission, 450 crore liters of water reservoir has been created in 80 villages of nine districts. Besides, the 30 km of farm roads have been repaired and 45000 trees have been planted,” said Shrikant Paygavhane, one of the Pach Patils.
The ‘Mission 500-crore litre Water Storage’ created water reservoirs in villages in a decentralised manner at very low cost. It is a model of ‘Community-based Decentralised Water Management System’ in which people are empowered to construct water bodies in their village, conserve it, maintain it and raise the ground water level,” Paygavhane said. https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2023/apr/16/water-warriors-of-maharashtra-2566277.html (16 April 2023)
8. Kerala First water budget Several govt depts, agencies, and research institutes, 94 gram panchayats in 15 block panchayats, together created the base document for water conservation, which is currently limited to rural areas. The consumption of water for domestic use, irrigation, business, tourism and industrial needs were factored in, while calculating the total water demand and the differences in consumption patterns for each panchayat were also accounted for. Water budgets can be an effective instrument to achieve sustainable development. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/05/keralas-water-budget-a-step-towards-effective-water-management/ (25 May 2023)
First govt ‘Environment Budget’ The 59-page document highlights 81 schemes in 9 sectors and their Budget allocations in environment-related areas. The sectors selected for the first Environment Budget are agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forests and wildlife, environment, water resources, cooperation, soil survey, and the energy sector. The total outlay for environment-related schemes in the Budget allocations for these sectors is approximately ₹668.88 crore for 2024-25. Environmental budgeting refers to the process of “evaluating environmental impacts of budgetary and fiscal policies and integrating environmental concerns into the policies and programmes of the State,” the document noted. In the coming years, the exercise will be extended to more depts. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-budget-2024-25-kerala-brings-out-environment-budget-as-a-separate-document-for-the-first-time/article67814868.ece (5 Feb 2024)
9. Rajasthan A ‘jalsansad’ in schools The parliament is in session throughout the school year, and as its members, students conduct several activities to ensure conservation of water —including periodic audits to gauge how much water is used by each class; rallies, competitions and campaigns to spread awareness; and maintaining a digital calendar and e-magazine to highlight all the water conservation-related activities. The school’s jalsansad (water parliament), was put in place in mid-2022 by Sheela Asopa, after she took charge as the school’s principal. “We also have a nutrition garden, which gets irrigated by water that directly flows from specific hand-washing points in the school,” says Bano, who is a monitor in the sansad and is responsible for conducting water-conservation activities.
Shyam Sadan is not the first school in Rajasthan with a jalsansad. Asopa has set up similar initiatives in several schools across Jodhpur. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/this-educator-in-rajasthan-has-set-up-a-jal-sansad-in-schools-to-helps-students-harvest-conserve-water-91038 (21 August 2023)
10. Book The Rain Harvesters In the village of Shaktipur wells are drying up and crops are failing. The Chelo children, Sunita and Rakesh, go to the river every day with Mango the elephant so Grandma can water her garden with help from Jalebi the monkey. It’s a climate crisis, and a greedy land developer is circling like a vulture to buy up farms at bargain prices. The children discover ways to harvest rainwater. But can they save the whole village against all odds?
The Rain Harvesters is part of a new series that introduces important environmental issues to young readers, such as water pollution, conservation of endangered species, the pet trade and animal poaching, and the harmful impact of pesticides on wildlife and humans. https://harpercollins.co.in/blog/announcements/the-rain-harvesters/ (7 Feb 2024) An excerpt from the book. https://scroll.in/article/1063999/for-children-can-sunita-and-rakesh-harvest-rainwater-successfully-to-save-their-village (12 March 2024)
Some More Relevant Positive Water Reports
Tamil Nadu Engineer restored 142 lakes The Kenikarai lake in Ramanathapuram district has been dry for 15 years. But now, villagers are celebrating. The lake is going to be filled up again. In March, villagers in Ramanathapuram district showed up at the Siva temple dressed up in traditional silk sarees and veshtis, and Nadaswaram music blared from the speakers at the inauguration ceremony of the project that people never thought was even possible.
But 35-year-old engineer Nimal Raghavan who returned from Dubai five years ago has made it his mission to rejuvenate Tamil Nadu’s lakes. It’s almost like a page from Shah Rukh Khan starrer Swades. “[The] Kenikarai lake is dry, the region has saltwater intrusion. Once the restoration is done in the next two years, the entire problem here will be solved,” he said confidently. He has rejuvenated 142 lakes across India, he said. Raghavan also wants to raise a forest by creating artificial landfills around the restored lakes. The dug-out mud is used to make thick boundaries for the lake, creating an artificial lake island. https://theprint.in/ground-reports/a-tamil-nadu-engineer-restored-142-lakes-in-india-wont-stop-now-next-station-is-kenya/1507248/ (09 April 2023)
Karnataka Set back to success The Maralappanahalli community has implemented several Soil and Moisture Conservation (SMC) activities to restore and regenerate their common lands. The Samiti worked to inform the community about using MGNREGS for Natural Resource Management (NRM) and for additional incomes.
The community has implemented the revetment of the feeder channel and drainage, created a cattle pond, and periodically planted native species, all of which have improved water recharge and surface water availability. Around 25 households undertake MGNREGS work, for 70 days on an average. Tank desilting is periodically undertaken and 40 households across the 3 villages have benefited from applying the tank silt on their farmlands. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/journeying-setbacks-successes-one-step-time (23 Aug 2023)
Goa 74-year-old wins biodiversity award Of the numerous communities and individuals presented with the state biodiversity awards on May 23, two individuals stood out – 74-year-old Balkrishna Ayya from Loliem, Canacona, and 80-year-old Rukmini Pandurang Naik from Bagwada, Khandola.
Balkrishna single-handedly built a well to end the thirst of his community Hundolle-Madditalap in Loliem. Balkrishna, for most of his life, worked as a sculptor and art teacher in a school. But it was around 10-12 years ago that he began noticing his hamlet’s struggle to get clean drinking water, and decided that he could not depend on anyone else for a solution. The community of around 20 to 25 homes lives in an area devoid of natural water sources.
“I decided to start work on a step-well,” said Balkrishna, who dug into his own savings and built the well single-handedly, barring the odd pair of helping hands. Finally, at around 40m deep, when water surfaced, he installed a pump and began laying a pipeline to supply the water to other houses that were without water supply. It was no short of a miracle for the people living in such a dry area. He continued extending the pipeline until around 20 to 25 homes were covered,” said Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar from the Loliem village panchayat. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/74-year-old-who-single-handedly-dug-a-well-in-water-starved-loliem-wins-biodiversity-award/articleshow/100462593.cms (24 May 2023)
Maharashtra Villagers’ collective action to overcome water woes While the Konambe dam, built in 1971 existed on the Dev River in the village, the dam’s capacity had reduced due to accumulation of silt. The desilting activities conducted by villagers improved water availability and produced around 20,000 cubic metres of soil, which was spread across 500 acres of fallow land and reclaimed for cultivation. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/maharashtra-village-overcomes-its-water-woes-through-collective-action (16 Nov. 2023)
School boy digs up well A 14-yr school boy dug a small well which is enough to cater for the family’s needs for water. He dug this well about 15 meters in-depth in just five days.
The efforts of the boy were blessed with a source of potable water in his well. His efforts were appreciated by Zilla Parishad and were gifted Rs 11 thousand as a prize and a Gharkul (house aided by govt) to his family. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/palghar-14-year-school-boy-digs-up-well-after-seeing-mothers-woes-of-walking-half-km-daily-for-water (4 May 2023)
Gujarat Water storage success in Junagadh A check dam in the Kabutari mine was built by the Junagadh irrigation department behind the Rashtraveer Chhelbhai Dave police training centre. It is now full of water due to good rainfall recently in the region. There is 4 m high land on both sides of the check dam and the central flow area is 30 m wide. There is a 2-m high body-wall and the water spread is 3.5 ha. The water body created stores 2.14 million cubic feet water, improving groundwater in 8 km area. https://www.deshgujarat.com/2023/07/04/a-mine-converted-into-a-check-dam-water-storage-experiment-achieves-success-in-junagadh/ (4 July 2023)
Himachal Pradesh Villagers make glacier for water Twenty young individuals in Kinnaur’s Hango village, located very close to the Indo-Tibet border, identified an open land surrounded by mountains from all sides and diverted the flow of natural water to build a reservoir or a glacier in this cold weather.
The tribals set up pipes and channelled the water from a natural source high up in the mountains to the open land. The freezing temperature in Kinnaur will turn water into ice and will create an artificial glacier. In summer, when ice melts, the water can be used for irrigation & other purposes. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himachal-villagers-in-kinnaur-make-glacier-using-youtube-to-solve-water-crisis-4875401 (16 Jan. 2024)
Chhattisgarh Village gets water supply without electricity The project in Taipadar village, led by Punit Singh, Associate Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, IISc, uses low-head check dams and cascades of such dams along rivers, with turbine pumps installed to pump water without any electricity. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/chhattisgarh/iisc-researcher-leads-bastar-village-to-water-supply-without-electricity-2801755 (07 Dec. 2023)
Bihar Village of ponds Mahadevpur village in Masaurhi block, about 40 km from Patna has more than 150 ponds. One family member from every house is given responsibility for taking care of their pond. The prosperity of the village is attributed to these ponds. https://hindi.news18.com/news/knowledge/village-of-ponds-in-india-mahadevpura-patna-bihar-villagers-creating-wealth-from-ponds-and-fishery-corona-5907127.html (18 April 2023)
IWP Managing water resources & generating livelihood opportunities This shares some articles and inspiring stories on how managing rural water resources can go hand in hand with skilling people and generating livelihood opportunities to make the effort sustainable in the long run. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/managing-water-resources-and-generating-livelihood-opportunities-rural-india (10 Jan. 2024)
Slide show on some Hindi media clips on successful water conservation efforts made in 2023 in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh states.
Farming Water Options
Andhra Pradesh Natural farming popular in Nellore The area under Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) has been steadily increasing in the Nellore district. According to official sources, 53,764 farmers are practising natural farming and raising 18 varieties of crops on 67,356 acres. A majority of farmers in Udayagiri, Atmakur and Kavali have switched to ZBNF, attracted by its benefits, including a reduction in cultivation cost and good crop yield. The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) has been creating awareness among farmers about the benefits of natural farming methods. Crops are being raised using natural farming methods in 222 villages of 46 mandals in the erstwhile Nellore district. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/may/01/natural-farming-becomes-popular-in-andhra-pradeshs-nellore-2570957.html (01 May 2023)
Michaung spares crops raised without chemicals While standing crops on thousands of acres bore the brunt of Cyclone Michaung, crops cultivated using natural farming techniques withstood the strong winds and heavy rains. This has prompted scientists to explore the resilience of natural farming practices in the face of such extreme climatic conditions.
Farmers credit the government, RySS, and APCNF officials for guiding them to natural farming. Over the past seven years, APCNF has worked with farmers to enable their shift to natural farming. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/dec/17/andhra-pradesh-as-a-sign-of-rewardsof-natural-farming-michaung-spares-crops-raised-without-chemicals-2642329.html (17 Dec. 2023)
Guntur ryot’s natural farming techniques win global acclaim After her husband fell sick, K Meerabi was forced to take up farming as she had become the sole breadwinner of the family. On realising that exposure to chemicals while farming resulted in her husband falling sick and taking to bed, she started considering alternative methods to cultivate crops. She learnt about non-pesticide management in 2009 and began working as a chief resource person for promoting natural farming. By implementing pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS) and dribbling methods, she was able to cultivate 30 crops per year, which raked in high profits. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/jan/08/guntur-ryots-natural-farming-techniques-win-global-acclaim-2648953.amp (08 Jan. 2024)
Drought-prone Anantapur witnesses rise in water level The water management initiatives have been taken up over River Chitravati in the last six years. ‘Project Jaldhara’ taken up by SM Sehgal Foundation improved livelihoods of 6,750 beneficiaries in the belt of villages that are known to be perennially drought-prone in the undivided Anantapur district.
The two check dams built in Koduru-Subbaraopeta and Madhurepalli-Kandurparthi stretches in 2020 became the game changer in preventing run-off and allowing percolation. “There is a 35% increase in the area under irrigation and 75% rise in crop yield, while 82% of farmers have witnessed improved yield quality,” asserts Anjali Makhija, trustee and chief executive officer of Foundation. All the check dams are carefully monitored by the 92 members formed into seven Water Management Committees, including 17 women. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/drought-prone-anantapur-witnesses-rise-in-water-level-ushers-in-reverse-exodus/article67775495.ece (25 Jan. 2024)
Reviving traditional tank irrigation systems While encroachment, siltation, poor maintenance of traditional irrigation tanks limit farmers in the state from accessing water in the command areas, strengthening WUAs shows a promising way forward to ensure maintenance of tanks at the community level and ensure water security for farmers. The study evaluated the performance of system and non system tanks from Srikakulam district of the North Coastal Andhra & Chittoor dist of the Rayalaseema. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/reviving-traditional-tank-irrigation-systems-andhra-pradesh (28 Feb. 2024)
New method to save crops from drought Anantapur-based Accion Fraterna Ecology Centre on Aug. 30, showcased an effective method—Mobile Protective Irrigation—of saving standing crops in the dist in the face of an impending drought. Dist Collector M Gauthami appreciated the efforts of the Centre in providing protective irrigation to 5,000 acres in 8 revenue mandals of the dist. She said she would send a report to the State Govt on this effective method.
Centre Director YV Malla Reddy said that 1,500 farmers associated with the NGO have been successfully protecting the standing crop by using tankers, sprinklers, drip irrigation methods and flood irrigation through mutual cooperation to reduce the cost. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/aug/31/new-method-saves-crops-from-drought-in-andhra-pradesh-2610243.html (31 Aug. 2023)
Karnataka Desilting lakes enhanced agri & groundwater Moodabidri taluka in Dakshina Kannada district stands as a beacon of hope, thanks to a decade-long initiative led by Professor TV Ramachandra from the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru. The significant turnaround in Moodabidri’s water scenario was brought about by desilting all 32 lakes in the region and creating new water bodies, a move that not only averted a looming water crisis but also had a profound impact on local agriculture and groundwater levels. https://bnnbreaking.com/world/india/reviving-water-security-how-desilting-lakes-in-karnataka-enhanced-agriculture-and-groundwater (28 Feb. 2024)
Geomembrane tanks to harvest rainwater At least four such tanks, of which one having the capacity to store 1.5 crore litres of rainwater per annum, were built in the belt recently under the guidance of N.J. Devaraja Reddy, a Chitradurga-based hydrogeologist and rainwater harvesting consultant, founder of Geo Rain Water Board. All the four tanks are harvesting rainwater. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/geomembrane-tanks-come-up-in-coastal-belt-to-harvest-rainwater-for-farming/article67138895.ece (30 July 2023)
Agriculturist’s green efforts bear fruit Sadashiva Marike, an agriculturist from Puttur, has embraced the environment as an integral part of his life, resulting in the remarkable growth of a forest near his residence. Hailing from a family that relied on agriculture for their livelihood, Sadashiva’s passion for farming was surpassed only by his concern for the environment, driven by the water scarcity experienced in his area back in 1983.
Motivated by his readings on nature and water conservation, Sadashiva embarked on a tree-planting mission. He diligently planted a variety of saplings he collected during his travels across the five acres of unused land owned by his family. Over a span of ten years, Sadashiva’s relentless efforts bore fruit, with additional trees sprouting from seeds brought and dropped by birds on the five-acre plot. As a result, even at the end of May, the four ponds on his farm continue to hold water, thanks to the presence of the surrounding trees.
Remarkably, Sadashiva struck water at a depth of just 25 feet while drilling a borewell, an accomplishment made possible by the forest he nurtured on the five-acre land. To safeguard the forest from any potential harm, a protective fence has been erected around it. The forest now serves as a habitat for various species of birds, animals, reptiles. https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1089627 (13 June 2023)
Haryana Farmer conserving water through drip irrigation PM has praised a young farmer from Kurukshetra’s Ban village for his efforts for water conservation by adopting drip-irrigation. Farmer Ankur said that he has adopted the drip irrigation instead of flood irrigation to save groundwater and cut input cost. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/pm-modi-lauds-kurukshetra-farmer-for-water-conservation-efforts-through-dripirrigation-101682361491872.html (25 April 2023)
Jammu & Kashmir Locals de-silt irrigation canals in Mawer As Irrigation Department and Rural Development Department have failed to de-silt irrigation canals, locals from several villages of Mawer in north Kashmir’s Handwara Sub District have come forward to clean these canals on their own. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/kashmir-todays-paper/locals-de-silt-irrigation-canals-on-their-own-in-mawer (19 June 2023)
Himachal Pradesh Drive to desilt check dams, canals kicks off The district administration of Kangra has started a campaign to clean all check dams and kuhls (traditional irrigation canals) in the district before the monsoon. There are about 1,200 check dams and kuhls in Kangra district. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/drive-to-desilt-kangra-dams-canals-kicks-off-514547 (06 June 2023)
Report Restoring soil health The report gives examples of how people have successfully and effectively achieved results in agriculture reducing chemicals use, improving biodiversity, soil health and also water use. For example, Sarvadaman Patel of Gujarat in 1970s started work that has over the years improved the soil organic content to upto 1.42%, with produce stays fresh longer and also improving the water absorption fourfold for each 0.5% increase. https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/comment/restoring-soil-health-in-the-age-of-climate-change-1208133.html (10 April 2023)
Traditional Water Conserving Techniques
Rajasthan Water harvesting benefits 550 families in Dholpur An initiative for promoting water harvesting in the hilly terrains with the rejuvenation and construction of ponds has benefited over 550 rural families in two blocks of Dholpur district. The project, which has completed one year, has led to better availability of irrigation water and a significant increase in agricultural production.
Launched by a Bharatpur-based institution, the initiative has led to increase in the ground water level, farming of water chestnuts in the ponds and diversification of crops. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/water-harvesting-initiative-benefits-550-families-in-dholpur-district/article67243736.ece (28 Aug. 2023)
Ancient water structures still serving villagers In the inhospitable terrain of Thar Desert, centuries-old water conservation methods still flourish, and meet the drinking water needs of villagers and their cattle.
Ponds of desert Baba Mayaram writes about the tanks in Barmer, Jodhpur & Nagaur were built hundreds of years ago, how they are being maintained, how important role they play. https://www.spsmedia.in/land-forest-and-water/nagaur-pond-in-the-desert/ (22 Dec 2023)
Odisha Ancient step-well ‘Dedhasura-Bhaibohu Kua’ found in Jajpur The INTACH has rediscovered an ancient step-well near Chanditala village under Badachana block in Jajpur dist. As per locals, the step-well is popularly known as ‘Dedhasura-Bhaibohu Kua’ and it is in existence in the area for the past thousands of years. The step-well with deep blue water is inside a forest near the village.
As per INTACH officials, the ancient step-well is a unique example of Kalinga architectural style. “We have documented around 40 step-wells in Odisha. However, we have never seen this kind of step-well in the State. It’s sheer size, biggest in the state so far, depth, construction style and the materials used are unique. The condition of the ancient step-well is still very good,” said INTACH project co-ordinator Anil Dhir. The 120 feet X 35 feet step-well has been constructed with laterite stones. https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/ancient-step-well-dedhasura-bhaibohu-kua-found-in-jajpur-200668 (02 April 2023)
Tamil Nadu Remains of 1,000-year-old check dam found Students from Palani Andavar Girls College during a field trip have found traces of a 1,000-year-old check dam across the river Suruli in Porundhal near Palani under Dindigul district. Archaeologist V Narayanamoorthy said the check dam could have been constructed in a move to make it flow directly towards north into the tanks known as Ammapattiyan Kulam and Kumarasamudira Kulam, which helps irrigate a large area of land in the region. Also, there are three tanks on the eastern side of the river. He said that these tanks would have been filled through the sluices on this check dam. Now, there are remains of only one sluice. Five sluices could have existed, he said.
The check dam was constructed with huge rocks and bricks. The size of the bricks measured 23 X 12 X 5 cm. Bricks with this size appear in the 10th century constructions here. He said there was the presence of iron ore (hematite) having been poured, in boiling form in some places along the course of this river. It may indicate that the builders used it at the points, where this river turns, to prevent erosion. This dam is an example for the water management skills of the ancient people who lived here, he said. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/remains-of-1000-year-old-check-dam-found-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/107759430.cms (16 Feb. 2024)
Women Water Warrior
W Bengal Drought solutions in agri lies in local level Climate change is no longer a remote occurrence; its impact is now evident in daily life. The women from the Hirbandh block of Bankura district demonstrated that the crucial element for enhancing resilience lies at the local level. Utilizing indigenous knowledge, preparedness, and fostering community unity can effectively address climate change distress to a significant extent. (Sourangshu Banerjee) https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/drought-solutions-in-agriculture-lie-in-smartly-bridging-the-demand-supply-gap-of-water/article67782441.ece (27 Jan 2024)
Rajasthan Women conserving water Gram Chetna Kendra has supported women from 15 villages around India’s largest saltwater lake Sambhar to build water harvesting structures.
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The NGO has helped them shift to organic farming and cattle rearing to earn a stable income. https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-1000-women-around-sambhar-salt-lake-are-conserving-water-practising-organic-farming (21 July 2023)
Excellent story of how women of resort dominated villages of Jaisalmer saved their water. https://www.magzter.com/de/stories/newspaper/Dainik-Bhaskar-Mumbai/1709874899251 (08 March 2024)
Karnataka 55-year-old digs well to provide water for Anganwadi kids A 55-year-old woman from Ganesh Nagar in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district, has taken it upon herself to dig a well to ensure a steady supply of water for the children attending the local Anganwadi. Undeterred by the physical demands of the task, she has already dug two wells in 2017 and 2018. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/55yearold-digs-well-to-provide-water-for-anganwadi-kids-101707333213418.html (08 Feb. 2024)
Kerala Women turn hyacinth into handloom A group of 70 women based in Kodungallur has now made this possible by making products from the processed blades of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) stems collected from waterbodies choked with weeds. Through this unique initiative, the plant has found a new place in showrooms and boutique shops after it was recast as bags, purses, flowerpots, tablemats, cushion covers and other utility products. The women’s group includes differently-abled persons and is part of of Kottappuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS) which facilitated the venture. They collect the long stems of the weed from the stagnant water, dry it, remove the piths after peeling the stem, dye it and weave it in the loom to make products which have good takers. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/as-weeds-choke-keralas-waterways-women-turn-hyacinth-into-handloom/articleshow/107192830.cms (28 Jan. 2024)
Solutions for Water Pollution
Gujarat New decentralized STP in place A unique decentralized multi-stage reactor (UDMSR) for sewage treatment was inaugurated at Luna village in Padra taluka of Vadodara on Wednesday (March 13). Sewage treated by the UDMSR can be directly used for agriculture and could be vital during a water crisis, especially in rural areas. Professor Upendra D Patel Patel, a PhD in environmental science and engineering from IIT Bombay, developed the technology after ten years of research. The low-cost pilot scale system, designed to treat 25 kilolitres per day, servicing a population of around 500 people, was inaugurated in presence of representatives of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Padra Industries Association and Farmers Action Group.
“The plant has been running continuously since Dec 2023. It has treated about 1.4 million litres of sewage with effluent COD and BOD ranging from 10-20 mg/l and 2-3 mg/l. The plant is also tested at 1.5 and two times its design flow capacity and its performance was found to be consistent,” he said. “Currently, there is no reliable technically appropriate system for collection and treatment of domestic sewage in rural areas. Raw domestic sewage in most villages flows into open channels to end up in a nearby pond or river. This causes significant worsening of water quality which renders these sources unfit for use,” said environment activist Rohit Prajapati, who was instrumental in getting the lab-scale technology installed at Padra through an MoU with GPCB. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/new-sewage-treatment-plant-in-vadodara-a-unique-decentralized-multi-stage-reactor-udmsr-inaugurated-at-luna-village/articleshow/108477970.cms (14 March 2024)
Madhya Pradesh Village sewage stopped from polluting river Kaveri, a tributary of Narmada, flows in Gram Panchayat Kal Mukhi, about 55 kms from Khandwa. The polluted drain of the village was falling in the river for past many years. But now the Gram Panchayat has started cleaning the water by installing an indigenous grey water treatment plant. The Panchayat has installed a three-tier filter system, which is also called Vatan system which is cost effective also. In this system, water is cleaned in three stages. The first filter is made of gravels. The second filter is made of boulders and the third filter is made of sand. Water passes through these three stages and gets cleaned and then joins the Kaveri river. https://hindi.news24online.com/state/madhya-pradesh/mp-news-kalamukhi-panchayat-of-khandwa-district-launched-campaign-clean-water-found-in-kaveri-river-mpap/253837/ (10 Jun 2023)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
You may also like to see: World Water Day 2024: Top Ten Positive Urban Water Stories from India
SANDRP 