Pune: The district administration has planned 2,810 nullah bunding and earthen nullah bund works to improve groundwater recharge and strengthen rural water security, as 10 of Pune district’s 13 tehsils have been declared drought-hit and two more are likely to be brought under the category.District collector Jitendra Dudi has set a target of two such works in each of the district’s 1,405 gram panchayats, focusing on arresting rainwater runoff and increasing groundwater availability in the future.Under the plan, the soil and water conservation department will undertake nullah bunding, earthen nullah bunds, gabion structures, compartment bunding and gully plugs. The administration has set a target of two works per gram panchayat for each of these categories, amounting to 2,810 works in each category across the district.The initiative comes amid growing concerns over water scarcity, declining groundwater levels and the vulnerability of agriculture to prolonged dry spells. The administration intends to create a network of small water conservation structures across villages to retain rainwater, slow its movement through natural drainage channels and facilitate its percolation into the ground.“Every village needs to develop its own water conservation plan based on its geographical conditions and water requirements. The focus is on stopping rainwater runoff, increasing groundwater recharge and rejuvenating existing water sources. These works will help strengthen rural water security and prepare villages to tackle drought conditions,” Dudi said.Nullah bunds are small barriers constructed across natural drainage channels to temporarily hold rainwater and reduce the speed of runoff. Earthen nullah bunds, made using locally available soil, serve a similar purpose by obstructing the flow of water and allowing it to seep into the surrounding soil. Both structures can help reduce soil erosion, improve moisture retention and contribute to groundwater recharge, said the officials.Hydrology experts say these structures are particularly important in drought-prone areas because they help increase the time available for rainwater to infiltrate into the ground. The water that percolates through the nullah bed and surrounding geological formations can replenish underground aquifers, potentially improving the water levels in nearby wells and borewells.A study published in the Journal of Agricultural Engineering by researchers from Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani, found that nullah bunds help check runoff velocity, increase water percolation and improve soil moisture. The research highlighted their role in facilitating groundwater recharge in the area influenced by the structures.Pradeep Purandare, retired associate professor at the Water and Land Management Institute, has stressed the need for scientifically grounded water conservation measures. “Govts had focused on large-scale promises like river linking rather than scientifically grounded conservation measures, leaving regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha vulnerable to recurring water stress,” Purandare said.Experts also caution that merely constructing water conservation structures will not guarantee a rise in groundwater levels. “Their effectiveness depends on the underlying geology, soil permeability, catchment characteristics and proper identification of recharge zones. In particular, structures must be designed according to the natural drainage pattern and local aquifer conditions. Therefore, the work needs to be done scientifically on the ground. Just announcement or ambition will not serve the purpose in the reality,” said agriculture activist Jitendra Bidwai from Junnar.The proposed works are expected to benefit farmers by improving groundwater availability in wells located downstream of the structures. Sustained recharge could help wells retain water for longer after the monsoon and provide farmers with an additional source for protective irrigation during critical crop growth stages. This is particularly important in drought-affected villages where dependence on groundwater for agriculture and domestic consumption is high.The district administration has directed various govt departments to prepare village-level plans based on geographical conditions, water availability, natural drainage patterns and local requirements. The gram panchayat, agriculture, minor irrigation, soil and water conservation, forest and social forestry departments will coordinate to implement the proposed interventions.“The administration should also need to ensure timely execution, regular maintenance and monitoring of groundwater levels to assess the impact of the structures. Experts stress that these interventions must be complemented by efficient groundwater use, suitable crop planning and community participation to ensure that the additional water conserved is not exhausted through excessive extraction,” said agriculture activist Satyavan Navale from Khed tehsil.
