The Role of Communities in Conserving Water: Building Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Governance

On World Water Day (22 March 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025, placing a strong emphasis on community participation in water conservation. This campaign, aimed at harnessing rainwater and restoring water bodies, underscores a vital truth: India's water crisis cannot be resolved without the active engagement of local communities.

From traditional tanks in Tamil Nadu to sacred groves in Rajasthan, India's diverse water heritage is rooted in community-led conservation practices. As climate change accelerates water scarcity, there is an urgent need for policies that are inclusive, integrated, and rooted in ecological wisdom—especially that of indigenous and marginalized communities.

Why Community Role Matters in Water Conservation
Challenges in Existing Water Governance Models
Examples of Successful Community-Led Water Management
Reimagining Water Policy for Climate Resilience
The Way Forward
Conclusion

1. Why Community Role Matters in Water Conservation:

A. Traditional Knowledge and Ecological Wisdom

Communities possess generational knowledge of their local ecosystems.
Traditional methods like johads, check dams, and stepwells are well-adapted to regional climates.
These methods are low-cost, sustainable, and require local materials and skills.

B. Decentralized Implementation and Ownership

When communities manage their own water systems, they ensure:
- Better maintenance and accountability
- Efficient use and reduced wastage
- Adaptability to local climatic and geographic conditions

C. Environmental Sustainability

Community-led practices naturally align with ecosystem conservation.
Practices like protecting sacred groves (Orans) and surface runoff management support groundwater recharge and biodiversity.

D. Social Equity and Inclusion

Involving local communities promotes participation from women, SC/ST groups, and other marginalized populations.
Recognizing the rights and contributions of subaltern communities creates a more equitable water governance model.

2. Challenges in Existing Water Governance Models:

A. Top-Down Approaches

Water management is heavily controlled by central and state authorities.
Policies are often uniform, ignoring local socio-ecological diversity.
Lack of real decision-making power for communities.

B. Fragmented Resource Management

Forests, water, land, and biodiversity are governed by separate institutions, leading to:
- Poor coordination
- Policy inefficiencies
- Overlapping responsibilities and gaps in implementation

C. Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups

Marginalised groups like women, tribal communities, and landless farmers are often excluded from planning and resource allocation.
No formal recognition of their ecological knowledge and practices.

D. Anthropocentric Policy Perspective

Most policies prioritize human consumption and agriculture, sidelining the ecological needs of animals, forests, and wetlands.
Example: Conflicts between wildlife conservation and irrigation needs.

3. Examples of Successful Community-Led Water Management:

A. Water User Associations (WUAs)

Legalised since the 1990s in several states.
Enable farmers to manage irrigation canals, decide cropping patterns, and maintain infrastructure.
Promote efficient water use and democratic governance.

B. Orans of Western India

Sacred groves conserved by Rajasthan and Gujarat communities.
Function as biodiversity hotspots and aid in groundwater recharge.
Blend spiritual, ecological, and social conservation values.

C. Traditional Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Johads, baoris, tanks, and anicuts used in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Revival of these systems has reduced water stress, increased crop yields, and improved community cohesion.

D. Women-Led Initiatives

In states like Maharashtra and Odisha, women’s groups have:
- Restored ponds and tanks
- Managed household and village-level water distribution
- Acted as water stewards and awareness agents

4. Reimagining Water Policy for Climate Resilience:

As climate change intensifies, India faces:

Unpredictable monsoons
Depleting groundwater
Frequent droughts and floods

To address this, water policies must become climate-smart and community-centric.

Key Strategies:

Recognize climate adaptation as a central water governance goal.
Prioritize ecosystem restoration for long-term water availability.
Integrate local knowledge systems with modern hydrology.
Encourage seasonal and crop pattern planning based on water availability.
Promote multi-use water systems (agriculture, livestock, domestic, ecological).

5. The Way Forward:

A. Institutional Reforms

Empower Gram Panchayats and local bodies in planning and execution.
Decentralize water budgeting and data sharing.

B. Participatory Governance

Include marginalized voices in decision-making.
Encourage citizen science and community mapping of water resources.

C. Integrate Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus

Policies should connect irrigation, food security, livestock, forest, and biodiversity goals.

D. Monitor, Evaluate, and Learn

Regular assessment of community-led projects.
Share best practices through local knowledge networks.

E. National Support for Local Initiatives

Expand Catch the Rain, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and MGNREGA water projects.
Provide technical and financial support for traditional and modern systems.

6. Conclusion: Valuing Community as Custodians:

Water is not just a resource—it is a source of life, livelihood, and cultural identity. For India, with its rich tapestry of eco-civilisations, community involvement in water conservation is not a novel idea—it is a legacy that must be revived and scaled.

The success of any water policy depends on how deeply it engages the people it is meant to serve. By recognizing local knowledge, ensuring equitable participation, and integrating climate resilience, India can craft a future-ready, just, and sustainable water governance framework.

The time to act is now—and it must begin with the community.