Sustainable groundwater management through government supported convergence in Rajnandgaon district Chhattisgarh, India

Groundwater is a critical natural resource essential for sustaining human life, agriculture, and ecosystem health, particularly in semi-arid regions like Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, India. However, increasing groundwater depletion and declining water quality due to over-extraction, inefficient irrigation practices, and inadequate recharge mechanisms pose a significant threat to long-term water security. This study evaluates a comprehensive groundwater management and aquifer recharge initiative, “Mission Jal Raksha Rajnandgaon,” aimed at promoting sustainable groundwater use through artificial recharge, micro-irrigation, GIS-based water body mapping, and community participation. Important interventions included the construction of over 51,000 recharge structures, the rejuvenation of rivers and ponds, the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, and mass afforestation drives. GIS analysis helped identify critical recharge zones and supported the construction of structures like mini-percolation tanks and recharge shafts. Notable outcomes include a 2.04-m rise in average groundwater levels. An additional water-holding capacity of 70 lakh cubic meters, and the generation of over 5 million person-days of employment. The district also witnessed a significant shift toward non-water-intensive crops and virtual water savings of 850,000 m3. This people-led movement demonstrates a scalable model for integrated groundwater management that balances ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and rural livelihoods. A water mission improved community resilience through sustainable groundwater use. Smart mapping guided rainwater storage, boosting local water availability. Tree planting restored ecology while helping refill the underground water.