How this Chahttisgarh district is utilizing a ‘5% mannequin’ to spice up groundwater | India Information
4 min learnRaipurJun 16, 2026 05:33 AM IST
At a time when the scorching warmth and water shortage are troubling a number of components of Chhattisgarh, a quiet water conservation motion in Korea district is exhibiting promising outcomes. Referred to as the “5% mannequin”, the initiative has contributed to a big enchancment in groundwater ranges by encouraging group participation.
The mannequin has drawn nationwide consideration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted it in his Mann Ki Baat programme in March, whereas Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil has urged that it could possibly be adopted as a coverage throughout the nation.
Like many districts in Chhattisgarh, Korea has been grappling with declining groundwater ranges regardless of being positioned in a recharge zone. Final summer season, then District Collector Chandan Tripathi launched the “5% mannequin”, beneath which villagers had been inspired to dedicate 5% of their agricultural land for soak pits that assist rainwater percolate into the bottom.
Officers educated villagers to assemble the pits, leading to practically 2,000 soak pits being dug between March and Could final 12 months, together with greater than 1,000 on agricultural farms.
The initiative gained momentum this 12 months. Between February and Could, villagers dug round 30,000 soak pits — a 15-fold improve over the earlier 12 months — largely on farms, in backyards and in kitchen gardens.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil has urged that teh mannequin could possibly be adopted as a coverage throughout the nation.
“For any motion to succeed, folks’s participation is important. We started by creating consciousness amongst villagers and defined that soak pits wouldn’t solely recharge groundwater but in addition assist retain soil moisture and enhance agricultural productiveness,” mentioned Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Chief Government Officer of the Korea Zila Panchayat.
“Folks noticed the advantages firsthand and participation elevated considerably this 12 months. Our purpose is to make water conservation a group custom. Complaints about borewells drying up are already lowering, and we count on the state of affairs to enhance additional if extra folks undertake the mannequin,” he mentioned.
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Other than the 5% mannequin, the district administration has additionally launched a “30–40 mannequin”, or 30 toes by 40 toes, beneath which trenches are dug on barren land to arrest and retailer rainwater runoff.
In all, 12 water conservation interventions had been undertaken final 12 months, largely beneath the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Scheme (MGNREGS), now recognized domestically because the Viksit Bharat–Assure for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). The marketing campaign was collectively branded Aawa Paani Jhonki, which implies “let’s catch the rain” within the Sargujia dialect.
Measurable outcomes
Officers say the interventions have yielded measurable outcomes. In keeping with knowledge from the Central Floor Water Board (CGWB), the district’s post-monsoon groundwater stage improved from 6.6 metres beneath floor stage (BGL) in 2024 to three.89 metres BGL in 2025.
The administration additionally recognized two villages as mannequin centres for water conservation, the place intensive interventions had been carried out.
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“For the final 5 to 6 years, water shortage throughout summer season has been a serious subject,” mentioned Laxman Singh, 38, sarpanch of Dohda village, which has a inhabitants of over 1,000.
“Greater than 100 villagers have adopted the 5% mannequin and round 20 contour trenches have been created. Soak pits have been dug close to borewells as properly. The initiatives are serving to, however extra must be finished. The Jal Jeevan Mission has not been very efficient thus far, although we’re hopeful the state of affairs will enhance within the coming years,” he mentioned.
Durgavati, 28, sarpanch of Potedand village, mentioned a number of farmers and households had carried out the mannequin.
“The state of affairs is difficult, however we’re appearing earlier than it worsens. Contour trenches are being dug, and the village pond is being deepened and desilted to extend its storage capability. Because of poor groundwater reserves, the Jal Jeevan Mission couldn’t be absolutely carried out regardless of pipelines and water tanks being put in. Our efforts are persevering with,” she mentioned.
