Korea Five Per Cent Model Secures Water Through Community Action
WATER & WASTE

Korea Five Per Cent Model Secures Water Through Community Action

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.

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.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement