SDG 1 No Poverty

• Target 1.4 – By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance.
  • Indicator 1.4.1 Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.4 – By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
  • Indicator 2.4.1 – Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
  • Indicator – 5.4.1 Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1 – By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
  • Indicator 6.1.1 – Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
• Target 6.4 – By 2030, substantially increase water use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
  • Indicator 6.4.1 – Change in water use efficiency over time
  • Indicator 6.4.2 – Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
• Target 6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
  • Indicator 6.5.1 -Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0–100)
• Target 6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
  • Indicator – 6.b.1 Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Water is a fundamental resource essential for life, and groundwater has increasingly become a crucial natural resource meeting the freshwater needs of various sectors in India. Groundwater is the backbone of India’s agriculture and drinking water security, contributing nearly 62% to irrigation, 85% to rural water supply, and 50% to urban water supply. However, the sustainable development and efficient management of this limited resource pose significant challenges.

In recent years, several attempts have been made in the country towards sustainable groundwater management by involving the community which demonstrates how demand for groundwater can be reduced if timely information on groundwater availability is provided to communities. Most of these success stories of participatory groundwater management are community driven and self-financed which, at times, become a bottleneck in replicating such initiatives elsewhere.

The Government of India has recognized the potential of community led groundwater management and the need to institutionalize, emphasis on demand side management and behavioral change for ensuring the long-term sustainability of groundwater in the country. The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Groundwater Scheme) is a major step in this direction.

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) Groundwater Scheme with a total outlay Rs 6000 crore (USD 756.56 million) is being implemented by Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The Scheme is being implemented as a pilot in water stressed areas of seven States viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, with the objective to improve ground water management through participatory approach with a focus on demand management and behavioral changes. The scheme has contributed significantly towards the water and food security of the participating States.

The primary objective of this Scheme is “To improve the management of groundwater resources in the water stressed areas of the selected States”. This will be achieved by implementing appropriate investments/management actions led by community through convergence of various ongoing /new Central and State schemes focusing on demand side management.

• The main aim of the scheme is to improve ground water management in select over-exploited and ground water stressed areas in identified priority States through implementation of various interventions with community participation. The broad objectives of the Scheme are:
  • Strengthening institutional structure in the States to facilitate scientific and sustainable ground water management
  • Promoting participation of communities and stakeholders in sustainable groundwater management
  • Promoting activities relating to water harvesting, recharge of aquifers and water conservation.
  • Supporting efficient use of water through new and emerging technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, water efficient fodder cultivation, application of drones in agriculture, hydrogel and Internet of Things (IoT) enabled technologies apart from traditional practices like drip /sprinkler systems, crop diversification, mulching etc.

The scheme has two components:

• Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building: aimed at strengthening the groundwater governance mechanism in the participating States.
• Incentive Component -: aimed at rewarding/incentivizing the States for various measures aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources.

Through a combination of institutional strengthening, community mobilization, the scheme has brought synergy among various on-going schemes and ensured benefits and dividends at minimal cost in the identified groundwater stressed areas.

Involvement of Women and Vulnerable Communities:

Women are the primary managers of water in most households, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. However, they have historically been excluded from decision-making processes related to water management.

Under Atal Jal, community led water management includes women and vulnerable groups in water management and addresses their needs and challenges. It brings their unique perspectives, insights, and understanding in water management.

Given the social context, measures are taken in Atal Jal to ensure that traditionally marginalized groups (for instance landless farmers, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (Socially disadvantaged), poor households, persons with disabilities) are able to participate meaningfully. To this end, Atal Jal targets communication campaigns at specific groups and groundwater management committees must include representation from vulnerable groups. In the mapping and budgeting of groundwater use, the social profiles of vulnerable households are mapped along with their access to, and use of, water resources, helping to track the equity of water security plans.

Atal Jal vision of ensuring equitable and sustainable solutions to groundwater challenges give thrust on full participation of women in leadership and decision-making in water management.

• Ensuring participation of women in water budgeting and water security planning exercises by mandating presence of at least 33 percent female members.

• Average Women’s representation in Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC) is 44% under the Scheme and more importantly 33% women are holding decision making Positions like President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer within WUAs.

• Initiative of involving women as local resource persons eg. Jal Sahelis (water sisters) in Haryana

The capacity building program provides the foundation for the progress made at each of the four levels of activity— gram panchayat (Village Councils), district, state and national. The capacity building program for the preparation of community-led water security planning, is formulated and communicated through a ‘Functional Grid’ to systematize the approach, setting out all the technical and process-related topics and content related to the project’s disbursement linked indicators (DLIs), the target groups, the knowledge/skills to be acquired, and the format of the capacity building (trainings, on-demand videos, cross-village exposure visits). A database also identifies the NGOs operating in the seven participating states that have the knowhow to execute at the front lines. Given the scale of the undertaking, all states have hired experts to assist with the roll out of cascaded trainings in the gram panchayats and communities.

Atal Bhujal Yojana- a unique step towards the management of ground water through a proper planning and bottom-up approach with a prominent role of the community has brought various learnings.

The key lessons learnt includes:

• Community empowerment through extensive awareness campaigns along with regular disclosure of groundwater level, water quality and rainfall through various means has resulted in increased knowledge on local water condition facilitating informed decision making.
• Inclusion of community members in the water budgeting and planning process created a sense of ownership for better management of available water resources.
• Customised and focused trainings, awareness activities, exposure visits motivate farmers to adopt water efficient agriculture practices. In Atal Jal, around 0.76 million farmers have adopted these techniques in around 0.67million-hectare exceeding the envisaged target of 0.45 million hectare.
• For sensitisation of the community a systemic and systematic capacity building and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Activities are crucial. This enables them to understand the ground water scenario of their area and empowers them to take decisions for sustainable management of water resources.
• Participation of community & committees at Gram Panchayat level with presence of female and vulnerable groups has been made mandatory under the scheme for a holistic approach and community-led ground water management.
• A bridge between the community and the government has to be there for effective implementation of any Programme. In Atal Jal, the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) / Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have played the role of a bridge resulting in effective implementation of the Scheme.
• The convergence of resources both in term manpower and funds has greatly helped in involvement of various line departments which were earlier working in silos.
• Developing the local leadership in the form of Community Resource Person (CRP) from amongst the local community to ensure sustainability of common pool resources and its overall management is a key step. Atal Jal involves one Community Resource Person (CRPs) per gram panchayat on a voluntary basis for sustenance of the program once it is over.
• Data which is demystified, democratized and decentralized enhances sustainable water management.
• Consultative & Collaborative approach is better than a Control & Command strategy for sustainable ground water management.

The following aspects need more attention:

• Exploring the scope of incentivizing farmers on adoption of practices with positive climate impact, e.g. carbon credit generation.
• Focused trainings targeting the young population to create future flag bearers for sustainable water management.
• Innovative & interactive training methodologies to motivate large population.

Access to irrigation; Integrated programmes for climate and shock resilience, including programmes related to anticipatory, adaptive and shock-responsive social protection; Pro-poor access to agricultural inputs, technology and knowledge

As part of the program design, to leverage the advantage of intuitional alliance under the Atal Jal a network of key institutions has been created, and knowledge partners have been engaged in the very beginning of the program implementation.

• National: Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India (GoI).
• Sub-national: State Ground Water Departments (Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh).
• International: The World Bank Group (WBG).

In the very first year of program Implementation a partnership has been established with ARGHYAM (Empowering Sustainable Water Solutions in India Arghyam) to act as knowledge and training partner.

To bring practical training and awareness an Memorandum of Association (MOA) has been signed with Foundation for Ecological Security. Rigorous trainings have been conducted in which water games has been played to ensure involvement of community and stakeholders.

In the middle of implementation, a partnership has been established with International Water Management Institute to give impetus to innovative irrigation practices,

The other key institutions include:

• Tata Trusts
• Clean Water Around the World Water For People
• Home – WELL LABS

Type of governance– The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) follows a multi-level, decentralized, and participatory governance model, integrating community participation with government oversight. Below is a breakdown of its governance structure:

1. Multi-Tiered Institutional Framework-

• Central Government (Policy & Funding)– Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources) acts as the nodal agency. Provides policy direction, funding, and technical support. Works with the World Bank to monitor program implementation.  State Governments (Implementation & Monitoring)- Responsible for adopting and executing water conservation policies. Support local authorities in preparing water security plans. Provide training and capacity-building programs for farmers and local institutions.
• District-Level Governance (Coordination & Supervision)– District administrations oversee project execution at the village level. Monitor fund utilization and effectiveness of groundwater conservation efforts.
• Village-Level Institutions (Community Implementation)- Gram Panchayats (Village Councils) and Water User Associations (WUAs) lead implementation efforts. Communities participate in water budgeting, data collection, and conservation measures.
• State agencies have also hired NGOs as ‘District Implementing Partners’ (DIPs) to support implementation in communities. The DIPs build the capacities of the water management committees, help mobilize communities by identifying field workers who know the area and are trusted by communities and assist in the collection of water data. DIPs agree to implement a set of responsibilities to ensure that the community processes are participatory, effective and inclusive. The commitment to use NGOs in this frontline role varies considerably across states dependent on the availability, competency and the perceived need by state agencies.

With focus on demand management and efficient irrigation under the Atal Bhujal Yojana (Ground Water Scheme) an area of 670,802 hectares has been covered under demand side activities, saving 1,716 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of water through efficient practices like micro irrigation, crop diversification, and rainwater harvesting. Benefiting 7.6 lakh households (0.76 million households), it enhances groundwater sustainability, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience, ensuring long-term water security for rural communities and farmers.

Supply-side water management initiatives under Atal Jal have positively impacted approximately 2.65 crore individuals (26.5 million individuals), enhancing water security and sustainability. Through the construction and renovation of 77052 structures across Atal Jal Gram Panchayats (Village Counsils), an estimated 642 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of Groundwater has been successfully recharged, contributing to long-term resource conservation and resilience.

• Total outlay of scheme is ₹6,000 crore (USD 756.56 million), with 50% funding from the World Bank and the remaining 50% from the Government of India. The scheme follows a performance-based funding model, ensuring effective utilization of resources.
• Investment of more than Rs. 7882 Cr (USD 993.42 million) for implementation of the interventions resulting to overall water saving/ ground water recharge of about 2359 MCM benefitting around 3 crore persons (30 million persons). Hence cost per beneficiary is Rs. 2,627/ (USD 33.12).

Atal Jal MIS: Under Atal Bhujal Yojana an integrated and comprehensive MIS system has been developed and rolled out for various stakeholders at Central, State, District and Gram Panchayat level to bring the data at a single platform for the scheme’s overall monitoring and evaluation.

Atal Jal Mobile app: The scheme also promotes bringing the ground water data at public platform through various modes. As one of the initiatives, a mobile application called “ATAL JAL” has been developed (both Android and iOS based) for collection and dissemination of hydrogeological data at Gram Panchayat level which is being utilized by policy makers, stakeholders and common public for awareness and informed decision making.

Link to download Atal Jal app for:

1. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.co.gcrs.ataljal&hl=en&pli=1
2. iOS: http://apps.apple.com/in/app/atal-jal/id1618758592

https://ataljal.mowr.gov.in/