Jalore is a dark zone district in Rajasthan where the extraction of groundwater takes place at a faster rate than its recharge. Although water from the Narmada canal is used for drinking purposes, there is insufficient water for agriculture and other uses, considering that the district receives scanty rainfall. This was reported by the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) team comprising Central Nodal Officer (CNO) – Anuradha Prasad, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Labour And Employment, Government of India; Block Nodal Officer (BNO) – Chandra Kant Reejonia, Director, Ministry of Law and Justice; Technical Officers (TO) – Deb Jyoti Monda and Junaid Ahmad, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Introduction Mansa District falls in the southern part of Punjab. Agriculture forms the backbone of the district economy. The main source of irrigation is canals, dug wells and tube wells. The major concern of the district is depleting water table. Being a desert district, Mansa has sandy soil, which has great absorption capacity and a low groundwater level. This makes the district suitable for the construction of soak pits. The idea of constructing soak pits in schools was mooted by district administration as a lot of grey water is generated from cooking midday meals and washing of utensils. Thus, constructing soak pits in the washing area would help in water conservation.

Introduction Coimbatore District is located in the north-western part of Tamil Nadu State. The groundwater was overexploited in 213 out of 228 Gram Panchayats of the district while the remaining 15 were in semi-critical zone. During the last 10 years, the average rainfall in the district declined from 690 mm to 616 mm, which leads to a reduction in the water table and natural resources. An uncertainty in seasonal monsoon reduced water storage in the reservoirs and conventional water bodies with depletion of the water table. This led to scarcity of water for public utilities and irrigation purposes. Hence, it was proposed to harvest rainwater through earthen bunds in the land belonging to small and marginal farmers under MGNREGS.

It’s been an uphill battle for the seaside town of Pondicherry in the Union Territory of Puducherry over the past few months as district officials made every effort to rejuvenate, renovate and restore water bodies in the district, many of which were almost lost or encroached upon. The initiative is a part of Puducherry’s Neerum Oorum (Water and Village) Scheme to adopt water bodies, renovate them and protect them. According to District Collector, Dr. T. Arun, many of the water bodies and ponds were almost lost, overrun as they were with foliage, waste or encroachments. Some of them were almost flat and dry. “Given the high levels of groundwater exploitation, water shortage is common here during many months. So we decided to set things right.” he said.

Introduction Karippechal stream flows through Cherthala South, Kadakkarappally and Kanjikuzhi Gram Panchayats of Kanjikuzhi Block Panchayat of Alappuzha District. Over the years, the deposits from the shoreline and river pollution silted the flow of the stream, causing flood and other related disasters during the rainy season. This affected the lives of the people, especially those who were living on the shoreline. The floods also led to unhealthy living conditions such as contamination of drinking water, improper sanitation facilities, waterborne diseases, etc., during the monsoon season. Three local self-government bodies of the district, namely, Kanjikuzhi Block Panchayat (BP), Kadakkarappally GP and Cherthala South GP worked in synergy for revival of the stream by desilting it.