Project Overview

The Watershed Revival Program is a multi-year hydrological restoration effort across eight river tributaries near Sambalpur, combining check-dams, riparian buffer zones, and farmer-led soil conservation to revive dry-season flow.

Why This Matters

Healthy watersheds sustain groundwater, agriculture, and drinking water for entire districts. Reviving dry-season flow protects the livelihoods of hundreds of farming families and builds long-term resilience to climate variability.

Current Situation

Dry-season flows across the eight tributaries had fallen more than 60% over two decades, driven by riparian encroachment, upland deforestation, and unregulated sand extraction.

How We’re Helping

47 stone check-dams and 120 kilometres of grass buffer strips were built with local farmers using traditional masonry. Five years on, groundwater has risen 1.8 metres and six of eight streams now flow year-round.