NEW DELHI: Farmers have voluntarily set aside 5 per cent of their farmland to build small recharge ponds and dig terraces to capture rainwater inside farms as part of a community-led water conservation initiative in the Korean province of Chhattisgarh.
An official statement on Thursday said that more than 440 traditional ponds have been revived by recharging soil and groundwater reservoirs using rainwater.
She said that due to the Awa Pani Goki movement, soil erosion has decreased, crop moisture levels have improved during dry periods, and groundwater replenishment has become steady. This initiative was part of the water conservation drive launched by the Centre, Jal Sanchai Jan Bhagidari.
According to the statement, it witnessed extensive community participation with women participants, called “Nair Naikas,” guiding families in building cesspits, while young volunteers from “Gal Dots” mapped de-soild ditches and canals and organized street plays and wall arts to spread awareness about water conservation.
She said more than 500 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana project have built cesspits next to their homes, transforming water conservation from a government initiative into a shared community responsibility.
The initiative was implemented through Gram Sabha resolutions.
More than 1,260 farmers have reserved 5 percent of their farmland to build recharge ponds, and more than 2,000 soaking pits have been created across the region. In one case, communities built 660 cesspits within three hours, she added.
Groundwater levels rose by 3-4 meters in many villages, springs revived in 17 remote tribal villages, and agricultural productivity improved due to improved soil moisture retention, the statement said, adding that seasonal migration declined by an estimated 25 percent as livelihoods stabilized.
The district administration supported the initiative through small watershed mapping, hydrogeological assessments, and technical guidance. This has ensured that each structure is strategically located to maximize recharging efficiency.
“This initiative is not just about structures. It is about securing the future of our farmers, reducing migration and ensuring every village has access to reliable water,” the District Collector of Korea was quoted as saying in the statement.
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