Why in News? 

Kukas village in Jaipur has adopted a climate-resilient farm pond model to conserve 10 crore litres of monsoon run-off, boosting water availability for farmers. 

Climate-Resilient Farm Pond Model in Kukas Village, Jaipur 

In Rajasthan's arid regions, water scarcity poses significant challenges to agriculture. To address this, Kukas village near Jaipur has implemented a climate-resilient farm pond model, conserving approximately 10 crore litres of monsoon runoff annually.  

Water Conservation and Watershed Management in India 

Water conservation ensures efficient use of water resources, while watershed management focuses on managing land and water within a watershed. Both are crucial in India due to water scarcity and dependence on agriculture. 

Techniques in Water Conservation and Watershed Management 

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater through methods like rooftop harvesting, check dams, and ponds to recharge groundwater. 
• Check Dams and Nala Channelization: Small dams across rivers to control water flow and promote groundwater recharge. Nala channelization manages stormwater to prevent flooding. 
• Watershed Treatment: Managing land, vegetation, and water to prevent soil erosion, improve water retention, and enhance groundwater recharge. 
• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along land contours to slow water movement, reduce erosion, and improve water absorption. 
• Water Use Efficiency: Using techniques like drip irrigation and sprinklers to minimize water wastage and improve crop yield. 
• Watershed Management Programs: Government initiatives like the National Watershed Management Project and IWMP to restore watersheds, improve water quality, and ensure equitable distribution. 
• Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees in watershed areas to prevent soil erosion and maintain the water cycle. 
• Check Dams and Sand Dams: Structures in arid regions that store water, recharge groundwater, prevent floods, and mitigate droughts. 
• Management of Irrigation Systems: Well-maintained canals and irrigation networks to ensure efficient water distribution and prevent wastage.