State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 02 Jul 2025

Rainwater Harvesting in Jaipur

Why in News? 

A rainwater harvesting and irrigation project was inaugurated at Kukas in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, following the creation of a 15-crore-litre water conservation capacity. 

Note: 80% of Rajasthan's area faces groundwater depletion; 50% of drinking water and 60% of irrigation rely on rapidly declining aquifers.  

• Over-extraction leads to high salinity, fluoride and nitrate contamination, causing serious health risks in many regions.

Key Points 

• Direct Benefits for Smallholder Farmers: 
  • Over 6,000 villagers, primarily smallholder farmers and livestock rearers, will directly benefit from the project. 
    • It is projected to increase farm income by Rs 5 crore annually and ensure long-term drinking water security for over 10,000 rural households. 
  • These ponds are designed to capture rainwater directly from each farm, and many have already started filling during the ongoing monsoon. 
    • By the end of the monsoon, the ponds are expected to become a permanent water source for rain-fed fields in the region. 
  • This will reduce dependence on rapidly depleting groundwater sources and promote sustainable agriculture. 
• Strategic Partnership: 
  • The project is a collaboration between the Atomic Power Evolution Awareness Foundation and Hero MotoCorp’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing ‘Hero We Care’. 
  • It is being implemented in the Kukas region, where the Kacherawala River has dried up and over 200 wells and handpumps are defunct. 
    • Groundwater levels in the region have dropped to depths of 1,000 feet, making surface water conservation critical. 
• India's Initiatives Related to Water Conservation: 
  • National Water Policy, 2012 
  • National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program (NAQUIM) 
  • Mission Amrit Sarovar 
  • Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 
  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) 
  • Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)

Water Harvesting System  

• About:  
  • A water harvesting system refers to a technique or structure designed to capture, store, and use rainwater, surface runoff, or other sources of water for various purposes, such as agriculture, domestic use, and groundwater recharge.   
    • It is a sustainable water management practice aimed at conserving water and addressing water scarcity.  
• Types:   
  • Rainwater Harvesting (RWH): Collecting and storing rainwater through methods like rooftop collection and underground storage to conserve water.  
  • Groundwater Recharge Systems: Techniques such as recharge wells that allow rainwater to seep into the ground to maintain and improve groundwater levels.  
  • Surface Water Harvesting: Collecting rainwater from land or open fields using ponds and reservoirs for irrigation and other uses.  
  • Urban Water Harvesting: Capturing rainwater in cities from rooftops and surfaces to reduce pressure on municipal water systems and manage stormwater.