Objective:  

To address water scarcity during dry spells by developing decentralized rainwater harvesting structures for tribal communities.

Overview:

To address acute water scarcity caused by erratic rainfall and rising salinity in Kumarpukuria—a tribal village in the Sundarbans—SEED undertook a community-based rainwater harvesting initiative. A total of 28 rainwater harvesting ponds were constructed to harness and store monsoon rainwater, ensuring year-round access to freshwater for domestic and limited agricultural use. The initiative was designed through participatory planning, with community members helping identify suitable locations based on topography and usage patterns. Each pond was engineered with strengthened embankments and proper inlet-outlet systems to maximize rainwater retention, prevent sedimentation and minimize saline ingress. These decentralized harvesting systems now serve as critical water reserves during the prolonged dry months.

Impact:

• Enabled households to use harvested rainwater for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, significantly reducing water stress and health risks, particularly among women, children and the elderly.
• Supported small-scale kitchen gardens and household-level horticulture by providing supplementary water, thereby improving dietary diversity and nutritional intake.
• Strengthened the village’s climate resilience and water security through sustainable rainwater harvesting infrastructure, ensuring better preparedness for droughts, rainfall variability and seasonal migration pressures