Our INRM interventions are aligned with #SDG13 Climate Action and seek to improve the carrying capacities of natural resources. Our INRM approach is participatory and led by Pani Panchayats ( community institutions). The whole planning, implementation, monitoring, and participatory evaluation is done by the community themselves. We trained communities on water budgeting and efficient use of water and climate change adaptation.
Bundelkhand, a region known for its agrarian challenges, faces severe water scarcity, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. To address this critical issue, Manjari Foundation has been actively engaged in constructing new farm ponds—small yet effective water conservation structures that empower farmers, enhance groundwater recharge, and ensure sustainable agriculture. A total of 200 new farm ponds have been constructed in Banda and Sitarganj so far.
The farm pond construction work has been initiated by village-level collectives, also known as village development committees. Each farm pond has been constructed by excavating 867 cubic meters of soil. Throughout the year, a single farm pond will be filled with water twice. The water storage capacity of each pond is 1,734 cubic meters, and with 200 farm ponds, the collective water storage capacity is 346 million liters throughout the year.