In Navsari district of Gujarat, the small village of Simalgam is turning rain into a reliable water source.
Communities here are using simple rain‑water harvesting schemes to recharge groundwater and keep wells full.
The initiative is part of the state government’s Van Kavach programme, which encourages eco‑friendly water projects across rural India. In Simalgam, a 14‑by‑10‑metre rain‑water structure was built to capture runoff from nearby villages Chhidam and Chhapra. The collected water seeps into the earth, raising the water table and reducing the dry‑season pinch that once plagued the area.
A local activist, Amitaben Patel, explains how the project works: “We dug pits six feet square, lined them with stones, and let the rain percolate straight into the soil. That way, runoff that would have gone to waste now recharges our wells.” The result is a noticeable rise in groundwater levels, easing the water shortage that had made farming difficult.
Jaynish Angad, the Executive Engineer from Navsari’s Water Supply Department, says the project helps many villages. “The rain‑water structure in Simalgam not only benefits our own village but also improves groundwater across the region,” he notes.
The benefits extend beyond drinking water. In-season wells fill faster, and the extra moisture enriches the soil, boosting crop yields and turning fields greener. For a rural community hit by drought, this local, grassroots approach shows how collective action and government support can solve real water problems.
With similar projects rolling out across Gujarat’s dry interior, Navsari’s example offers hope that future generations can inherit a more resilient, water‑secure environment.
Source: ianslive
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