Sustainable Irrigation and Economic Development through Community Participated Managed Aquifer Recharge in Water Scarce Regions of Telangana State — A Case Study

Abstract

Groundwater is the primary source for agriculture based income in the rural areas of Telangana state, South India, especially in the scanty rainfall regions. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) can augment rainfall recharge, and it is successful at many locations across India. The present study is one of the case study, where CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) successfully implemented MAR through community participation which has led to a paradigm shift in agriculture based income in three villages situated in Chotuppal Mandal, Telangana. A percolation tank has been constructed by local people considering scientific inputs from CSIR-NGRI. Due to the percolation tank recharge, deeper groundwater levels have come close to the ground surface. The improved groundwater conditions have led to the expansion of irrigated areas, rural economic development and reduced energy consumption. This study has demonstrated that MAR such as percolation tanks at suitable locations can improve the groundwater and socio-economic conditions in water scarce regions.