In southern Rajasthan, where hills rise sharply and rain falls hard but briefly, water has always been a paradox. It comes in abundance—yet disappears quickly. For decades, farmers in Banswara watched precious rainwater rush down slopes, eroding soil, draining fields, and leaving wells dry just months later.
Banswara district, located at the southern tip of Rajasthan, shares borders with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Spread across 5,037 square kilometres, the district receives an average annual rainfall of 950 mm—among the highest in the state. But steep terrain, erratic rainfall, and deepening groundwater levels made farming uncertain, especially for small and marginal tribal farmers.
This is the story of how Banswara turned its geography from a challenge into an opportunity—and rebuilt its water security step by step.
A DISTRICT SHAPED BY RAIN, RUNOFF, AND RISK
Banswara is crisscrossed by rivers like the Mahi and Anas, along with several streams and nallahs. While the major rivers flow regularly, intense rainfall in short spells caused massive runoff. The topsoil washed away, water tables dropped, and agriculture became increasingly fragile.
Most farmers depend on rainfed farming. Migration to Gujarat for seasonal work was common. The need was clear: conserve water where it falls, recharge groundwater, and protect soil.
“When we looked at the problem closely, we realised this was not about scarcity of rain, but about management of rain,” then District Collector Mr. Ankit Singh, IAS, recalls.
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PROTECTING RIVERS, BANKS, AND FLOOD PLAINS
The first focus was safeguarding rivers and their catchments. Under various schemes, including MGNREGA, the district undertook 1,282 works for riverbank protection and floodplain preservation. These included ring walls, nallah protection works, and bank stabilisation structures.
Out of these, 315 works were completed, while the rest are ongoing. The effort generated 18.05 lakh man-days of employment, benefiting nearly 35,000 families.
The impact was immediate. Soil erosion reduced. Agricultural land near riverbanks was protected. Marginal lands in valleys—often the only livelihood source for tribal families—were stabilised.
“Every wall built here is not just about soil—it’s about protecting a family’s livelihood,” says Ankit Singh.
RECHARGING THE GROUND, ONE STRUCTURE AT A TIME
Large parts of Banswara are rainfed and undulating. To address this, the administration focused on artificial recharge structures—designed to slow down runoff and push water back into the ground.
Departments including Watershed Development, Panchayati Raj, Water Resources, PHED, and Forest worked together under schemes like MJSA I, II, III, RGJSY, RACP, and MGNREGA.
Hundreds of recharge structures—check dams, anicuts, trenches, percolation tanks—were built or revived. Maintenance of old structures was also prioritised.
This effort alone generated 27.86 lakh man-days of work, benefiting over 42,800 families.
Monitoring by the Ground Water Department showed a steady rise in groundwater levels. In many villages, wells filled up to the brim after monsoon.
“Seeing water return to dry wells was the biggest validation of our work,” Ankit Singh says. “Data confirmed what farmers were already telling us.”
MICRO STORAGE, MACRO IMPACT
Under MJSA and other schemes, 37 Micro Irrigation Tanks (MITs) and 45 Micro Storage Tanks (MSTs) were created, with a combined storage capacity of over 100 mcft.
These structures provided water for irrigation, livestock, and domestic use. They also enabled new activities—lift irrigation, horticulture, vegetable farming, and even aquaculture in some areas.
Cropping patterns diversified. Productivity improved. Income levels rose.
OPEN WELLS: A TRADITIONAL SOLUTION, REVIVED
One of the most effective interventions was the construction of 6,196 open wells under MGNREGA. These wells, designed specifically for rainfed areas, became local water banks.
Each well directly benefited one farm family. Together, they created 52.17 lakh man-days of employment and brought nearly 1,982 hectares under irrigation in non-command areas.
Water from these wells supported crops, livestock, and household needs. Vegetable cultivation increased. Nutrition improved.
“For farmers, water security means dignity,” the Collector notes. “Open wells restored that dignity.”
ROOFTOP HARVESTING AND WETLAND PROTECTION
Rainwater harvesting was extended to public buildings. 24 rooftop harvesting structures were sanctioned, mostly in schools and government offices. Many old systems were repaired under MJSA.
At the same time, water bodies were mapped and geo-tagged using Google Earth. Boundaries, submergence areas, and catchments were recorded in revenue records.
Some water bodies were identified as wetlands. A critical wetland—Khatwa-Temran—was proposed for notification, with a management plan prepared. Around 500 water bodies are under survey for wetland protection.
TREATING WASTE BEFORE IT POLLUTES WATER
Untreated grey water from villages was polluting tanks and nallahs. To stop this, Banswara adopted Constructed Wetlands and DEWAT systems.
In Kupda village, a constructed wetland treats grey water from 120 families. Lab tests showed a reduction in BOD from 6.0 mg/l to 4.5 mg/l, making water safe for disposal and recharge.
In Talwara, a DEWAT system near Patela Talab treats wastewater before releasing it into the reservoir, which is now reused for irrigation.
“These are simple solutions, but they work,” says Ankit Singh. “They stop pollution at the source.”
STOPPING ILLEGAL SAND MINING
Illegal sand mining threatened river ecology in Garhi and Sajjangarh areas. The district formed a special team, used drones, and intensified patrolling.
Between 2019 and 2022, boats, tractors, dumpers, and machinery were seized and FIRs lodged. Illegal mining stopped. Rivers retained their natural shape.
PLANTING TREES, BUILDING OWNERSHIP
Between 2016 and 2021, over 23.8 lakh trees were planted under forest schemes. Under GharGharAushadhi Yojana, 1.46 million medicinal plants were distributed to 1.83 lakh families.
Plantation under MGNREGA added another 92,000 plants, with nurseries raising lakhs more.
Local tribal communities were involved through Van Suraksha Samitis, creating ownership and long-term protection.
COMMUNITY AT THE CENTRE
Regular reviews, NGO partnerships, PRA methods, and community-led waste management made people stakeholders, not beneficiaries.
“In Banswara, water works succeeded because people owned them,” Ankit Singh says. “Administration only facilitated.”
From hills to valleys, from rivers to rooftops, Banswara’s water story shows what sustained planning, community participation, and simple solutions can achieve.
Water didn’t just return to the land—it restored confidence to the people who depend on it.
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