Water conservation

In Maharashtra’s parched landscapes, former IRS officer Ujjwal Kumar Chavan initiated a transformative water conservation project. Inspired to combat drought, he constructed reservoirs and check dams, increasing water storage across 204 villages. His efforts boosted farmers’ incomes, rejuvenated rivers, and fostered community resilience, demonstrating the power of collective action.

Can solar panels float and still power thousands of homes? In India, experts show how floating solar saves water, avoids land use, and could turn reservoirs into clean-energy hubs.

In Anantapur, the Ananta Neru Sanrakshanam project transformed barren, drought-hit lands into thriving ecosystems through innovative water conservation. Led by Vineet Kumar IFS, and Rupak Yadav, the initiative restored at least 11 water bodies, engaging over 400 villagers in sustainable practices.

When a canal breach left her Delhi neighbourhood without water, 18-year-old Mannat saw firsthand how fragile urban water systems can be. As part of The Better India’s Children’s Day series, she writes to the Indian authorities about her journey and her innovation — a Bilge Vessel and Scupper Valve system designed to recycle greywater at the household level.

Every home produces hundreds of litres of reusable water daily. With simple steps, you can recycle greywater from baths, basins, and washing machines to save thousands of litres a year — easing pressure on water supplies and helping the planet.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, reducing wastage and improving crop health. This step-by-step guide helps farmers design, install, and maintain an efficient system for sustainable farming.

Across India, children sing, play, and pray with the arrival of monsoon rains. From Jhulelal Puja in Sindhi homes to Oonjal swings in Tamil Nadu, these age-old rituals weave joy with lessons on gratitude and water conservation.

Abhay Todkar, a 44-year-old from drought-prone Dahiwadi village defied the odds of living with polio to lead a remarkable water conservation movement. His efforts have brought sustainable change to 64 villages, turning struggles into triumphs through determination and community-driven initiatives.

When drought hit Maharashtra, engineer Rahul Bakare built BoreCharger — a robot that revived 4,000 borewells and recharged 650 crore litres of water across India.

In a village where water is scarce and the land is unforgiving, Sundaram Verma found a way to grow trees using only one litre of water per plant. His simple method has helped over 60,000 trees survive drought — and inspired farmers across India to rethink how change takes root.