In Korea district of Chhattisgarh the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative has converted small voluntary land commitments into broad water security. The movement, implemented through the Aawa Paani Jhoki campaign, asked farmers to dedicate five per cent of their land to water retention measures. The approach prioritised local structures over large dams and emphasised community agency in the face of mounting water scarcity.

Under the five per cent model farmers constructed small recharge ponds and terraced pits that capture rainwater within fields to retain and reuse monsoon runoff. The intervention reduced soil erosion, improved crop moisture during dry spells and ensured steady groundwater recharge. Technical planning guided placement of structures to maximise recharge efficiency while keeping costs low.

Community mobilisation proved decisive, with women taking lead roles as Neer Nayikas and youth participating as Jal Doots to map trenches, desilt canals and promote conservation through local art and performances. Collective shramdaan revived more than 440 traditional ponds and over 500 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana added soak pits beside homes. In total more than 2,000 soak pits were created and over 1,260 farmers adopted the recharge system on their land, while communities constructed 660 soak pits within three hours.

The initiative delivered measurable environmental and social gains as groundwater levels rose by three to four metres in many villages and springs were revived in 17 remote tribal hamlets. Agricultural productivity improved through better soil moisture retention and seasonal migration declined by an estimated 25 per cent as livelihoods stabilised. The district administration supported the work with micro?watershed mapping and hydrogeological assessments and the District Collector framed the project as a measure to secure farmers' futures and reduce migration.

The Korea five per cent model demonstrates that decentralised, low cost and participatory climate adaptation is replicable and scalable. By converting small voluntary pledges into practical recharge measures communities converted a departmental programme into shared civic responsibility and secured 100 per cent of their water future.