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Rajasthan’s Chhareda Panchayat in Dausa district has emerged as a leading example of effective water conservation, driven by a community-driven initiative that has significantly transformed agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods. The project, led by Vipra Goyal, an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, has revolutionized water usage in the region through the construction of 250 farm ponds.

Key Aspects:

• Objective:The model aims to address water scarcity and groundwater depletion through rainwater harvesting and the construction of farm ponds, reducing dependence on overexploited groundwater sources.

How Farm Ponds are Contributing to Water Conservation in Rajasthan

• Rainwater Harvesting:Farm ponds serve as storage systems for rainwater, minimizing reliance on deep, contaminated groundwater sources. This helps prevent the further depletion of underground water reserves.
• Year-Round Water Availability:The ponds provide consistent water supply for both kharif and rabi crops, ensuring that farmers can grow crops throughout the year without facing water shortages.
• Groundwater Conservation:By reducing the need to extract groundwater, this initiative has helped conserve approximately 30 crore litres of water annually, easing the pressure on local aquifers.
• Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Income:With reliable water sources, farmers have shifted from subsistence farming to growing cash crops, which has resulted in a collective increase of about ?5 crore in household incomes.
• Reduced Water Pollution:The initiative avoids the use of groundwater contaminated with harmful substances like arsenic and fluoride, which are prevalent in many areas of Rajasthan.
• Sustainability and Climate Resilience:The farm ponds offer a climate-resilient solution, ensuring that agriculture in water-scarce regions is sustainable even in the face of erratic rainfall patterns.
• Cost-Free Construction:The construction of the ponds has been facilitated through CSR funds and government schemes, making the project cost-free for farmers.