Low-Cost Groundwater Recharge through Open Wells in Indian Semi-Arid Tropical watersheds R CSachanauthorS PWaniauthorT KSreedeviauthorPPathakauthorL SJangawadauthorRSudiauthorThe traditional runoff harvesting facilities in Indian semi arid tropics (SAT) have degenerated due to lack of proper management and policy support. Due to vagaries of monsoon and scarcity of surface water in Indian SAT, dependence on groundwater has increased tremendously and water resource has transformed from community resource to a private resource. Farmers have dug open wells to draw groundwater from shallow aquifers. With advent of bore well technology and subsidized power, there has been shift in groundwater extraction from shallow aquifers to deeper aquifers creating mining effect. Intensity of rainfall in Indian SAT is grossly adequate to adequately charge the aquifers. A study was made in a watershed at Kothapally, Rangareddy district, AP, to recharge groundwater thru diversion of clean rain runoff in 35 failed (dry) open wells. Quantity of groundwater recharged thru diversion of t~e nlnoff was estimated which averaged 96100 m3 over two yearof study. To store same quantity of runoff on land suiface, it would have required approximately 4 ha land area, Rs 20 lakhs as construction cost and Rs 20,000 as annual maintenance cost. The enhanced water availability in open wells resulted into increased irrigated area in rabi and post rabi seasons. It resulted into increased area under fodder cultivation, milch animals, marketable milk production, area under flowers and vegetables. Area under irrigation and yield increase of annual crops was affected. Increased water availability culminated into increased income and livelihood opportunities for farmers in the watershed.Watershed ManagementAgriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2008Soil Conservation Society of IndiaArticle