Multi-Criteria Hydro-Economic Decision Tool for Rejuvenating Community Irrigation Tanks in Rural India

Rising water scarcity in agriculture has been a major concern worldwide. As resource managers seek to address this issue, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) become widely accepted sustainability paradigm. The purpose of study is evaluate restoration alternatives irrigation tanks by applying multi-criteria and probabilistic benefit–cost analysis for rural watershed India. We incorporate the principles local-IWRM, namely, hydrological balance, efficiency, equity, stakeholders’ involvement, uncertainty. use mixed-method approach data collection, including remotely sensed hydro-ecological data, walk-through field observations, focus groups, household surveys. region produces large percent runoff (i.e., about 67% total precipitation) which can be partially captured sustain tanks. majority area do possess moderate high potential yet remain poor conditions. A proposed lift scheme with 75% or more increase availability could return from ₹ 1.23 1.73 on every Indian rupee (₹) invested, addition other socio-ecological benefits. lead future crop expansion, comes price tag. Therefore, using additional existing just as economically viable water-induced expansion. coordinated effort part local agencies users necessary efficient equitable incremental that any efforts elsewhere.