New Delhi, Three villages from the coastal district of Prakasam in Andhra Pradesh have emerged as models of water resilience through community-led rainwater conservation initiatives.
The 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' campaign, implemented by the Jal Shakti ministry, has significantly improved groundwater availability, strengthened livelihoods and reduced distress migration through sustained community participation.
The villages of Murugummi, Marella, and Thangella have seen the construction of water conservation structures, providing protective irrigation to agricultural land.
Murugummi has 71 structures with a cumulative storage capacity of about 8.11 lakh cubic metres, while Marella has 53 structures with a cumulative storage capacity of around 10.04 lakh cubic metres.
Thangella recorded the construction of 71 water conservation structures with a storage capacity of about 5.89 lakh cubic metres, supporting irrigation across 185.3 hectares.
The initiative has improved groundwater levels, benefiting around 5,900 people by enhancing access to water for domestic and agricultural purposes.
The villages faced acute water scarcity due to erratic rainfall, declining groundwater levels and frequent borewell failures, but active community mobilisation has led to a change in the situation.
