Photo for representation
The administration has set a target of two works per gram panchayat for each of these categories, amounting to 2,810 works in each category across the district.
These works will help strengthen rural water security and prepare villages to tackle drought conditions,” Dudi said. “Govts had focused on large-scale promises like river linking rather than scientifically grounded conservation measures, leaving regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha vulnerable to recurring water stress,” Purandare said. Under the plan, the soil and water conservation department will undertake nullah bunding, earthen nullah bunds, gabion structures, compartment bunding and gully plugs. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over water scarcity, declining groundwater levels and the vulnerability of agriculture to prolonged dry spells. The administration intends to create a network of small water conservation structures across villages to retain rainwater, slow its movement through natural drainage channels and facilitate its percolation into the ground. “Every village needs to develop its own water conservation plan based on its geographical conditions and water requirements. The focus is on stopping rainwater runoff, increasing groundwater recharge and rejuvenating existing water sources. Pradeep Purandare, retired associate professor at the Water and Land Management Institute, has stressed the need for scientifically grounded water conservation measures.
Therefore, the work needs to be done scientifically on the ground.
In particular, structures must be designed according to the natural drainage pattern and local aquifer conditions. Just announcement or ambition will not serve the purpose in the reality,” said agriculture activist Jitendra Bidwai from Junnar. Experts also caution that merely constructing water conservation structures will not guarantee a rise in groundwater levels. “Their effectiveness depends on the underlying geology, soil permeability, catchment characteristics and proper identification of recharge zones.
Experts stress that these interventions must be complemented by efficient groundwater use, suitable crop planning and community participation to ensure that the additional water conserved is not exhausted through excessive extraction,” said agriculture activist Satyavan Navale from Khed tehsil. “The administration should also need to ensure timely execution, regular maintenance and monitoring of groundwater levels to assess the impact of the structures.
The proposed works are expected to benefit farmers by improving groundwater availability in wells located downstream of the structures. Sustained recharge could help wells retain water for longer after the monsoon and provide farmers with an additional source for protective irrigation during critical crop growth stages. This is particularly important in drought-affected villages where dependence on groundwater for agriculture and domestic consumption is high. The district administration has directed various govt departments to prepare village-level plans based on geographical conditions, water availability, natural drainage patterns and local requirements. The gram panchayat, agriculture, minor irrigation, soil and water conservation, forest and social forestry departments will coordinate to implement the proposed interventions.