Our survival depends on water, it is the basis of the life force. We need to protect the source of water.
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Contributing to India's Water Security
Water Crisis
- Over 78% of Monsoon Rainwater floods into Ocean every year thereby depleting the soil quality.
- Relying only on monsoon rains for agriculture without proper irrigation or water management techniques has been a recipe for disaster.
- Aggressive pumping of groundwater in rural areas resulting in 63% Indian districts face decline in water table continuously for last 20years.
- India with a current population of over 1.3 billion & expected to grow 1.7 billion by 2050, must find a solution to overcome the challenge of serving the vast majority with safe & clean water for agriculture, drinking & domestic uses.
JalTara
- JalTara addresses climate change through massive ground water recharge.
- JalTara approach is to dig recharge structure of 6 feet deep & 4 feet square at the lowest point within every arable acre-plot of rural land.
- JalTara is scalable, sponge approach enables rainwater to bypass dense, impervious topsoil and recharge underground water.
- JalTara enables multiple crops covering all seasons as a result of increased water tables. It also helps in drastically reducing the water logging in the field to avoid crop loss.
Rivers
- The cost of rapid development, climate change and an increasing demand for water has been paid by our rivers. Some have even disappeared from our maps.
- Since 2013, thousands of our dedicated volunteers have committed to revive our drying and dying rivers. It is our mission to bring our rivers back to life and keep them free flowing.
- River rejuvenation is identifying the causative factors affecting the rhythmic movement of river flow and activating & accelerating the natural process.
- The natural process includes over land flow, soil moisterization, groundwater recharge, inflow to the water bodies, stream networks, which all are interconnected to exist in a rhythmic movement.
Impact
- Farmer income is more than doubled by increase in crop yield, land usage & eliminated crop spoilage.
- Community engagement, minimized youth migration due increase in local employment, benefited both economically & ecologically.
- Improved overall livelihood.
- Increase in livestock purchases with increase in income.
- De-silting of river beds resulted in overall greenery.
- Ecological restoration
- Most of engaged villagers/farmers strongly agree and feel confident about farming in the future.
- Easy accessibility of hygienic water for domestic use facilitating women empowerment.
Our Process
Planning / Mobilization
Setting & determining objectives, Assesment of catchment, Training of Sevaks, Mobilize community particiaption, Inspire & enroll.
Technical Surveys & Training
Surveys of sites, restoration measures, preparation of detailed technical & financial report
Implementation
Execution of projected measures, document the processes & measures
Monitoring
Follow up, record & Geo-Tag every recharge structure by image, plot owner, location (GPS), date of digging, water level tracking, tree planting.
Project Impact
JalTara
Increase of Water Level
in Wells
Average increase in Water Table is
14 ft
March 2021 - March 2022
Farmer Income is More Than Doubled
Average Increase in
Farmer's Income is
120%
Increase in Crop Yield
Average Increase in
Crop Yield is
42%
Eliminated Crop Spoilage
Decrease in Crop Spoilage
du to Waterlogging by
100%
Rivers
Community Engagement and employment generation
Generated 6.5 lac days of rural employement
Improvements in Groundwater levels
Improvements in groundwater levels in over 59000 sq. km
Afforestation
Over 6.5 lac trees planted along rivers
Sustainable
Resolved immediate needs created systems that ensure reliable supplies in the future.
Project Impact
JalTara
Increase of Water Level
in Wells
Average increase in Water Table is
14 ft
March 2021 - March 2022
Farmer Income is More Than Doubled
Average Increase in
Farmer's Income is
120%
Increase in Crop Yield
Average Increase in
Crop Yield is
42%
Eliminated Crop Spoilage
Decrease in Crop Spoilage
du to Waterlogging by
100%
Water Crisis
- Over 78% of Monsoon Rainwater floods into Ocean every year thereby depleting the soil quality.
- Relying only on monsoon rains for agriculture without proper irrigation or water management techniques has been a recipe for disaster.
- Aggressive pumping of groundwater in rural areas resulting in 63% Indian districts face decline in water table continuously for last 20years.
- India with a current population of over 1.3 billion & expected to grow 1.7 billion by 2050, must find a solution to overcome the challenge of serving the vast majority with safe & clean water for agriculture, drinking & domestic uses.
JalTara
- JalTara addresses climate change through massive ground water recharge.
- JalTara approach is to dig recharge structure of 6 feet deep & 4 feet square at the lowest point within every arable acre-plot of rural land.
- JalTara is scalable, sponge approach enables rainwater to bypass dense, impervious topsoil and recharge underground water.
- JalTara enables multiple crops covering all seasons as a result of increased water tables. It also helps in drastically reducing the water logging in the field to avoid crop loss.
Impact
- Farmer income is more than doubled by increase in crop yield, land usage & eliminated crop spoilage.
- Community engagement, minimized youth migration due increase in local employment, benefited both economically & ecologically.
- Improved overall livelihood.
- Increase in livestock purchases with increase in income.
- De-silting of river beds resulted in overall greenery.
- Ecological restoration
- Most of engaged villagers/farmers strongly agree and feel confident about farming in the future.
- Easy accessibility of hygienic water for domestic use facilitating women empowerment.
Rivers
- The cost of rapid development, climate change and an increasing demand for water has been paid by our rivers. Some have even disappeared from our maps.
- Since 2013, thousands of our dedicated volunteers have committed to revive our drying and dying rivers. It is our mission to bring our rivers back to life and keep them free flowing.
- River rejuvenation is identifying the causative factors affecting the rhythmic movement of river flow and activating & accelerating the natural process.
- The natural process includes over land flow, soil moisterization, groundwater recharge, inflow to the water bodies, stream networks, which all are interconnected to exist in a rhythmic movement.
Project Impact
Rivers
Community Engagement and employment generation
Generated 6.5 lac days of rural employement
Improvements in Groundwater levels
Improvements in groundwater levels in over 59000 sq. km
Afforestation
Over 6.5 lac trees planted along rivers
Sustainable
Resolved immediate needs created systems that ensure reliable supplies in the future.
Our Process
Planning / Mobilization
Setting & determining objectives, Assesment of catchment, Training of Sevaks, Mobilize community particiaption, Inspire & enroll.
Technical Surveys & Training
Surveys of sites, restoration measures, preparation of detailed technical & financial report
Implementation
Execution of projected measures, document the processes & measures
Monitoring
Follow up, record & Geo-Tag every recharge structure by image, plot owner, location (GPS), date of digging, water level tracking, tree planting.
Media Gallery
Testimonials
When I came to know about the benefits of JalTara, I decided to implement it on my farm. It has prevented waterlogging and preserved groundwater for a longer time.
Krishna Takle
Farmer, Pokhari Village, Jalna District
Under JalTara Yojna, recharge structures were constructed on my farm. Usually, during the summer season, we experience drought problems, but this time there is enough water available for farming all year long.
Digambar Baburao Takle
Farmer, Manta Taluka, Jalna District
After the implementation of the JalTara Project, the water level in my area has increased.
Gyaneshwari Kakde
Farmer, Manta Taluka, Jalna District
Before JalTara Yojna no effort was made to conserve water. After the implementation of JalTara Yojna, we have plenty of water in our hand pumps.
Suman Bai
Farmer, Murumkheda Village
Our village, Shivangiri, benefited from the JalTara Project. This strategy has raised groundwater levels and doubled our income. Today, farmers are happy.
Madan Pandrinath Jadhav
Farmer, Jalna District
In the framework of the JalTara project, we built recharge shafts close to wells. After the very first rain, we discovered that the water level had risen to 75%. The JalTara project is an excellent way to end water scarcity and should be implemented by everyone to increase groundwater.
Mahadev Nivratti Narvade
Farmer
JalTara prakalpa was started in our village last year. I want all the farmers to know about its benefits. Since we live in a mountainous region, the water levels in our village were very low. We dug many wells in our village, but none provided water.
The implementation of JalTara in our village benefited us in two ways: first, it increased water levels, and second, the land, which previously turned muddy due to rain, now remains dry as the water is absorbed by the recharge structures.
Every farmer should implement this project in their village.
Balasaheb Bahekar
Farmer, Jalna District
I had 6 acres of land, of which one acre produced crops. Previously, there was mud after rains. After the construction of JalTara recharge structures, the water level in my well has risen. I can grow more crops now.
Appasaheb Bahekar
Farmer, Jalna District
I have been farming for two years. JalTara came into existence in our village last year. I own 32 acres of land for farming where 40 JalTara recharge structures were constructed. Earlier, where there were 8-10 crore crops, now the land is producing 13-14 crore crops every year.
Narayan Vaidyanath Dighe
Farmer, Ambora, Jahangir Village
Our village's water situation deteriorated after the rains because the mud was everywhere. We needed more water to grow crops. After JalTara's implementation, the situation has improved as all the rainwater goes into recharge structures. Now there is no mud, and water levels have risen.
Balasaheb Lomte
Farmer, Jalna District
JalTara's technique benefited us. We didn't have to spend anything to implement the JalTara technique on our farm and reaped immediate benefits after recharge structures were constructed next to our wells as the water levels doubled.
Vikas Hamre
Farmer, Warud Village
Due to JalTara recharge structures, water levels in the well of my village have increased. I recommend that all the farmers in other villages should implement the JalTara technique on their farms.
Baburao Jaivanto Kakde
Farmer, Jaipur Village (MH)
I was hesitant to bring JalTara onto my farm because the water levels in my well were low during the summer and it was muddy everywhere during rains. In the years 2021–2022, the construction of JalTara recharge structures helped absorb the excess water in the soil and raised water levels in wells. Everyone should implement these to see the results.
Sugan Nitnavre
Farmer, Shivangiri Village (MH)
Earlier, there was too much mud on the farm. Excess water was soaked after constructing JalTara recharge structures. Water levels in my wells have increased. Soybean & chana crops production optimized.
Sulabai Chavhal
Farmer, Murumkheda Village (MH)
After JalTara recharge structures are constructed, crop yield has doubled. Earlier, we used to run the motor for two hours but still had no water. After the construction of JalTara recharge structures, the water level has now increased in the summer too.
I have been farming for 15 years. Due to a lack of water, crop production was very low, but now, after the implementation of JalTara, the crop yield has doubled. I believe the JalTara project will benefit all Maharashtra talukas and districts.
Appasaheb Chauhan
Farmer, Jalna District
Earlier, one of my wells dried up and was not in use. I implemented JalTara on my farm, but neighbouring farms faced the problem of excessive mud. After seeing me, they also implemented JalTara recharge structures, which led to an increase in 14 quintals of soybean yield.
Ashok Ambure
Farmer, Jalna District
Previously, 90% of the houses in this area were made of mud. Currently, 60 to 70 % of houses are built of concrete, and the remaining ones will be finished within a year. When I finish building my house, I'll give it the name 'JalTara'
Nivritti Kisarao Palve
Farmer, Palashkheda Village, Jalna
About Us
Operating in 180 countries, The Art of Living is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Social Projects wing under the aegis of The Art of Living is non-profit organization headquartered in Bengaluru which strives to resolve India's looming water crisis & eradicating water poverty, and always had a focus on improving the livelihoods of rural farmers – to ensure their economic, health and mental wellbeing. And this starts with enough groundwater – which is the basis for rural communities to thrive.
Our partnership with the Government of India, various State Governments, along with the persistent support from corporates, individual donors, and well-wishers has helped us to grow in developing a sustainable world.
Read MORE
Our Vision
We are creating a more sustainable world through the task of formulation and implementation of projects not only to conserve soil, water and vegetation but also to promote their efficient use and environmental awareness so as to ensure sustainable development, deploying the network of people, businesses and communities.