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 Rajasthan’s Dholpur district. The project, which has completed one year, has led to better availability of irrigation water and a significant increase in agricultural production in the region.
Launched by a Bharatpur-based public service institution, the initiative has produced encouraging results with a gradual increase in the ground water level, farming of water chestnuts in the ponds and diversification of crops grown by the farmers. The sustained work in the project, with the participation of villagers, has augmented the income of farmers.
As many as 23 new ponds have been constructed and 10 old ponds rejuvenated in Bari and Baseri blocks of Dholpur district. As part of the work, the height of bunds was increased, soil and sediment was removed from the bottom of ponds, submergence area was expanded and the storage capacity of reservoirs was increased.
