Villages such as Murugummi, Marella and Thangella in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh have emerged as examples of community-led water resilience. Under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, these villages have improved groundwater levels, strengthened livelihoods and reduced distress migration through rainwater conservation.
Water Scarcity and Community Response
These villages earlier faced severe water stress due to erratic rainfall, falling groundwater tables and repeated borewell failures. Agriculture and allied livelihoods were affected. The response began with active mobilisation through Gram Sabhas, door-to-door awareness drives, Kalajathas, workshops and field demonstrations. Farmers, women, youth and local institutions participated in water budgeting, crop planning and groundwater sharing.
Conservation Measures Adopted
The villages used a ridge-to-valley approach to capture and recharge rainwater. Major interventions included:
- Percolation tanks for groundwater recharge.
- Farm ponds for local water storage.
- Staggered trenches to slow runoff.
- Rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.
- Rejuvenation of community ponds and tanks.
These measures created a sense of ownership and improved local water management.
Village-wise Achievements
- Murugummi: 71 water conservation structures with storage capacity of about 8.11 lakh cubic metres, supporting protective irrigation over 264.5 hectares.
- Marella: 53 structures with storage capacity of about 10.04 lakh cubic metres, supporting 220.5 hectares. Renovated ponds and tanks added nearly 5.95 lakh cubic metres more.
- Thangella: 71 structures with storage capacity of around 5.89 lakh cubic metres, supporting 185.3 hectares. Revival of traditional water bodies added about 3.98 lakh cubic metres.
Impact and Recognition
The initiative has benefited around 5,900 people by improving access to water for domestic and agricultural use. Better irrigation has supported crop stability, dairy income and soil moisture retention. It has also reduced distress migration. Murugummi received the Second-Best Village Panchayat Award at the 6th National Water Awards, 2024. Marella was among the top 30 villages, while Thangella received national nomination, denoting the value of community-led water conservation.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026