In the dry heartland of Bundelkhand, where water scarcity and climate stress shape everyday life, the revival of Madumar tank in Tikamgarh district offers a powerful lesson in how heritage conservation, livelihood support and climate adaptation can converge. Rooted in history yet responsive to present needs, this initiative shows how community-led water management can restore both ecological balance and social confidence.
An Ancient Tank Shaped by History
Madumar is an old village whose identity is closely tied to a large tank spread over nearly 100 acres. Local traditions and historical evidence trace the tank’s origins to the Chandela rulers, who governed the Bundelkhand region between the 9th and 14th centuries. The Chandelas are remembered for their sophisticated water systems—tanks that were carefully designed as part of settlement planning rather than as isolated structures.
Even today, the Madumar tank remains central to village life, supporting irrigation, fisheries and livestock, and meeting the water needs of people and animals in a region prone to drought.
A Wider Heritage Landscape
The heritage value of Madumar is enhanced by its proximity to , earlier known as Pampapur. This important Jain religious centre, comprising around 108 shrines, dates back nearly 800 years and is noted for its architecture and wall paintings. It attracts pilgrims from across the country, making the surrounding landscape culturally significant.
Another lesser-known heritage feature is the remains of a traditional agro-processing centre near the tank. Villagers recall its use for making gur from sugarcane, while others suggest it also processed edible oils, reflecting the area’s long association with oilseed crops such as groundnut, mustard and sesame. Reviving such traditional processing holds promise for livelihoods, nutrition and heritage protection.
Neglect, Siltation and the Need for Renewal
Despite its importance, the Madumar tank suffered from years of neglect, leading to heavy siltation and reduced storage capacity. This weakened its ability to buffer both droughts and excess rainfall—an increasingly serious concern in the context of climate variability.
Recognising this, the voluntary organisation Srijan undertook de-siltation of the tank with support from the Inter-Globe Foundation. The initiative restored the tank’s water-receiving and holding capacity, reducing distress during both dry spells and heavy rains. Such efforts are now widely seen as vital components of climate change adaptation at the local level.
Community Participation and Soil Fertility
A striking feature of the Madumar initiative was the depth of community participation. The fertile silt removed from the tank was carried by farmers, using their own resources, to their fields. In fact, villagers spent nearly twice as much on transporting silt as the cost of de-siltation itself.
This nutrient-rich silt improved soil fertility and strengthened Srijan’s efforts to promote ecologically protective natural farming practices. These early-stage efforts also include small orchards and multi-layer vegetable gardens, linking water conservation directly with sustainable agriculture.
Extending the Ecological Vision
Village discussions held under a peepal tree led to plans for planting indigenous tree species and flowers around the tank. This initiative is being extended to the nearby Garora tank, which is traditionally considered hydrologically linked to Madumar.
If traditional food processing is also revived alongside natural farming, the area could evolve into a heritage-linked livelihood site near a major Jain pilgrimage centre—combining conservation with local economic opportunity.
Water Heritage Beyond a Single Tank
Srijan’s approach views water bodies and channels as interconnected systems. This perspective links local tanks and rivulets to the protection of major rivers such as the and the and their tributaries.
In villages like Maughat, work focuses on digging traditional ditches called dohas to retain water during the dry season, benefiting farmers, livestock and birds. Gabion-wall structures have further improved water retention, with visible increases in bird activity around these sites.
Repairing Old Structures, Restoring Benefits
In several villages, including Mamau, Markhera, Ramnagar and Banpura, attention has been given to repairing neglected structures such as check dams. In Mamau, replacing stolen gates revived a defunct dam, enabling irrigation for about 25 farmers and raising groundwater levels in nearby settlements.
These experiences show how modest investments in repairing existing infrastructure can yield multiple benefits—irrigation, groundwater recharge, livelihood support and ecological restoration.
What to Note for Prelims?
- Chandela water management traditions in Bundelkhand
- Role of tanks in irrigation and climate resilience
- De-siltation and reuse of fertile silt
- Traditional structures such as dohas and check dams
What to Note for Mains?
- Community-led water conservation as climate adaptation
- Linkages between water heritage, livelihoods and ecology
- Importance of restoring traditional water systems
- Role of NGOs in decentralized natural resource management
