Building resilient agricultural system through groundwater management interventions in degraded landscapes of Bundelkhand region, Central India

The study was carried out at community scale watershed in one of the fragile ecologies Central India. This paper quantifies impact rainwater management (RWM) interventions on major water balance components, irrigation use, crop intensification and energy consumption their interrelationships. RWM harvested additional 35 mm surface runoff various masonry structures facilitated groundwater recharge from 720 rainfall received. net during monsoon season estimated 75−80 mm; this, 25 % (15−20 mm) used kharif 75 (50−60 rabi season. Groundwater largely took place wet normal years due to interventions, which supported for meeting freshwater demand recurring dry years. Increased helped enhance cropping intensity 120 180 by converting significant fallow lands into productive cultivation. time required refill dug wells decreased 50 with every meter increment hydraulic head. Therefore, well recovery period reduced minimum after project interventions. shows a huge untapped potential sustainable adopting science-based natural resource approach eco regions semi-arid tropics.