41 Maharashtra Villages Restore Five Rivers to Combat Drought and Water Scarcity

In a remarkable example of community-led river restoration and water conservation , residents of 41 villages in Maharashtra's drought-prone Marathwada region have joined hands to improve water storage capacity and groundwater recharge through a large-scale desiltation project.

The initiative, led by the voluntary organisation Global Vikas Trust (GVT), covers five rivers Papnashini, Gunwara, Saraswati, Wan and Lingi flowing through Beed district's Parli, Ambajogai, Dharur and Majalgaon talukas. Together, the rivers span 108 kilometres, of which desiltation has already been completed along 92 kilometres.

According to GVT, the project is expected to create additional storage space for 364.80 crore litres of water , helping address recurring water shortages in the region. While the project is funded largely through Rs 16 crore in CSR contributions , villagers have collectively raised Rs 54 lakh , reflecting strong local participation and ownership.

The restoration effort also aims to reduce flood damage to nearby farms. Silt, stones and debris removed from riverbeds are being used to build embankments and roads, protecting agricultural land during heavy rainfall.

Beyond desiltation, the project employs LiDAR technology to identify underground aquifers and enhance groundwater recharge. So far, 540 Global River Aquashafts (GRAs) have been installed, with each structure capable of recharging approximately eight crore litres of water into the ground.

Beed Collector Vivek Johnson said the initiative would improve groundwater levels and long-term water availability. GVT founder Mayank Gandhi noted that better water access could strengthen farm incomes in Marathwada, a region frequently affected by drought and agrarian distress.

The project is being viewed as a model for drought mitigation, sustainable water management and community-driven environmental restoration in rural Maharashtra.