Manasa (Madhya Pradesh): Manasa district panchayat is leading a watershed project aimed at water harvesting and the revitalisation of the Tilsoi River, passing through Nainanor village, approximately 60 km from the Manasa district headquarters.
Previously, this river solely relied on rainwater for its flow. To rejuvenate the Tilsoi River, the initial objective was to enhance the water-carrying capacity of the surrounding areas, reduce water velocity and soil erosion and boost groundwater levels.
To achieve this, contour trenches (measuring 10x3) were constructed across approximately 27 hectares of barren and sloping land in Kundaliyan, Danta and Bhagauri Panchayats.
CEO of the district panchayat, Guru Prasad, initiated a novel approach by sowing seeds of trees like acacia and kher along these contour trenches, resulting in a flourishing transformation of once-barren lands.
Additionally, irrigation ponds, large ponds and percolation ponds were established in low-lying areas, benefitting both farmers and the environment.
The construction of check dams on tributary rivers, including 25 farm ponds and seven stop dams along the Shayka River, significantly improved groundwater levels and the Tilsoi River now flows year-round, replacing its previous seasonally dried state.
As a result, over 1,500 small and large farmers in several villages have directly benefited from the increased water supply.
Previously, they struggled to achieve two successful crops a year, but now they can harvest up to three crops, thanks to the sustained flow of the Tilsoi River.
