Improving water governance in rural India is crucial due to increasing demand, uneven distribution, and climate changes. Government initiatives like the Atal Bhujal Yojana and the National Water Mission, along with state efforts in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, emphasize participatory methods for enhancing water security and climate resilience. Technology, such as the Varuni web application, aids in data-driven planning at the local level to support sustainable water use.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana, launched in 2019, focuses on water budgeting for decentralized water governance at the Gram Panchayat level. This program, operational in 229 blocks across seven groundwater-stressed states, has shown positive outcomes with 180 blocks witnessing improved groundwater levels during recent assessments. Traditional water conservation systems like Gokatte and Bawdi are being revived and strengthened under this scheme.
To address the challenges posed by limited water resources, the Atal Bhujal Yojana emphasizes the importance of moving towards demand-based and planned water management systems. Water budgeting plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development in water-stressed regions by ensuring economic stability, food security, and climate resilience. The National Water Mission also recognizes water budgeting as a key component of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
The Varuni web application, part of the government’s initiatives, utilizes a robust methodology to create block-level water budgets by integrating data from various government sources. This application, developed under the Indo-German project “Water Security and Climate Adaptation in Rural India (WASCA),” aims to support effective water resource management through data-driven insights.
