Completely dry well in Georai tehsil of Beed district. Motor pumps can be seen at its bottom
Water conservation work should be taken up at the village level as a mission-mode project,” a district collector from Marathwada said, adding, “Marathwada had received record rainfall last year. Pradeep Purandare, retired associate professor at Water and Land Management Institute, 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. ” Farmers and water activists echoed the demand for long-term solutions, including village-level water budgeting, protection of water bodies, scientific desilting and regulation of indiscriminate groundwater extraction. Beed farmer Gopal Shendge said repeated drops in water availability were making farming and household supplies increasingly uncertain. Water-conservation structures must be maintained, and groundwater recharge should be planned village by village based on local needs,” he said. A water conservation activist said monitoring water levels was necessary, but it must lead to action. “Vulnerable villages will continue to face recurring shortages unless conservation structures are completed, maintained and supported by proactive planning,” he added.
A senior official described the situation as alarming, saying water levels had fallen by more than three metres in a significant number of wells. The agency recently presented region-wise groundwater data to a Union agriculture ministry delegation and senior state officials. Concerns have intensified following India Meteorological Department’s forecast of below-normal rainfall between Oct and Dec and above-normal temperatures, conditions likely to aggravate water stress in already vulnerable regions. The emerging crisis has renewed scrutiny of Maharashtra ’s water conservation efforts, particularly in Marathwada and other drought-prone districts. If water conservation efforts had been properly implemented, groundwater levels would not have dropped so sharply this year. ” Water experts called for sustained investments in watershed development, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and the restoration of traditional conservation systems. “Farmers can’t rely on rainfall alone. When wells and other sources dry up, the whole village suffers.
“Inadequate focus on conservation works in recent years has left villages exposed despite receiving record rainfall last year.
Only then will the work be effective,” a water expert who has worked with state govt for years told TOI . The experts also urged stronger implementation of schemes like Jalyukt Shivar, stressing that conservation projects must be tailored to local geology, soil conditions, rainfall patterns and groundwater characteristics. “The drought-prone and rain-shadow districts have been on govt’s records for years. Schemes in these areas must be implemented properly, using scientific methods backed by strong political will. Govt should also involve local communities.