Fig. 96: Sample Water Table Map

Fig. 96: Sample Water Table Map

Use of Geospatial Technologies

The integration of the application of geospatial information and technologies with tools like CLART and GWMT for water conservation and management improves access to dynamic information and data. Their simpler user interface makes it easy for an end user to comprehend the information without much effort. Users can direct their thought and action keeping the larger landscape in mind with important details such as local geology, groundwater table, functioning of aquifers, etc., at hand.

Planning and implementing SMC interventions with the help of location-specific information increases the accuracy and impact in terms of improved water available for agriculture, livestock, and domestic uses. Further, the duration of water availability also improves considerably, providing critical support to rural communities in dry seasons. Over time, these actors learn to use and apply a combination of tools and technologies, which further improve the efficiency of public programmes. Everyone reaps benefits in the form of a more efficient system, healthier resource base and improved resilience of communities to livelihood and climate change adversities.

Data for the creation of the CLART tool were collected from different sources:

y Geology - Bhukosh (Geological Survey of India) y Geomorphology- Geological Survey of India (NRSC) y Drainage- Generated from SRTM/ASTER-DEM y Slope- Generated from SRTM/ASTER-DEM y Slope - Generated from Cartosat DEM y Micro Watershed- Central Ground Water Board & Bhuvan y Landuse- Landcover- LISS IV (2018) Bhuvan y Landuse- Landcover- Sentinel -2 (few places) y Lineament- NRSC-Bhuvan y Ground water level- CGWB WRIS y Ground water table- FES GWMT (available for 450 blocks only) y Village boundary- Survey of India

Key Outputs

y Location-specific suggestions on the field, enabling easy, informed decision making y Colour-coded, easy comprehension and preparation of Design and Estimate on the field. y Automatic SoR/ TS updates on the app (district-wise) enabling district-specific plan preparation with actual rates and specifications. y Visualisation of data/ plans/ evidence in the portal. y Different levels of users (administrator, coordinator, data enumerator, visitors) with different roles. y Onscreen vetting with field evidence (photographs, location on Google map, screenshots of CLART maps and structure data). y Data filtering by village/ block/ district and report generation report in PDF and Excel formats. y Widget for visualisation. y API connection for integrating with other platforms. y Groundwater recharge - discharge maps at village level y Groundwater flow map - Aquifer map y Depth to the water-bearing zone from the surface - for well deepening/new wells location y Capture seasonal and year-wise changes in the water table

At the larger level, the tools have helped in terms of:

y Informed NRM intervention plans prepared by 8000+ villages, with an increased focus on inclusion of SMC works, utilizing available public funds such as MGNREGS y Improved capacities of 10500+ government functionaries on use of tools and technology for implementing government programmes y Mapping of Commons, covering 16.2 lakh acres, and ground water monitoring through measurement of 42000+ wells across 10000+ villages in the country y The monitoring across locations has helped in understanding the status of the resources as well as taking steps towards restoration and improved governance of the resources.

Outcomes Achieved

Effective Use of Public Funds

The integration of tools like CLART and GWMT in grassroots-level planning has ensured that public funds such as MGNREGA are effectively employed to deliver lasting impacts on the ecological and economic outcomes of rural people.

Improved Governance

These tools also enhance the rigour and implementation capacities of critical actors in the local governance set-up, such as government functionaries and frontline cadres, and thus improve the functioning of the system holistically.

Overall, the use of tools and technology such as CLART and GWMT has strengthened the capacities of community institutions and government functionaries in the protection, governance, and management of natural resources. Further, it has enhanced their visibility and role, and thereby their participation in resource management. The sustained efforts have, over time, increased the investments in NRM across states, especially by leveraging public funds such as MGNREGA. Sustainable Communities and Protected Livelihoods

Several community assets have been created over time, which have proved to be critical to fulfilling the resource needs of communities whose lives are largely intertwined with their shared land and water resources. Overall, CLART has aided the preparation of 160,000 plans across 6 states, providing livelihood opportunities in terms of wage labour, and has strengthened the prospects of several more opportunities such as livestock rearing, agriculture, pisciculture, Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection and sale, etc.

Enhanced Community Participation

The GWMT is helping in the development of a geo-database of groundwater from 10,000+ villages and 40,000 + wells, through which analytical maps and information are being generated in an accessible manner. Aiding the visualisation of granular data – at the village/ Panchayat/ block levels – has become very useful to local communities, government functionaries and civil society organisations in understanding the status of their groundwater resources and subsequently undertaking informed efforts to manage, conserve and replenish these resources

Ecological Benefits

On the other, it has improved the ecological health of these land and water resources, resulting in improved soil moisture content, greener landscapes, and better habitats for biodiversity, building our resilience to the impact of climate change. As mentioned earlier, this aligns with SDG 6 (Ensure access to water and sanitation for all), SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) and SDG 15 (Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss). Contact Information

Name of Contact Person: Organization Name: Email: Telephone: Chiranjit Guha

Foundation for Ecological Security chiranjit@fes.org.in 9830032098

Alignment with the IGIF Strategic Pathways

S.No. IGIF Strategic Pathway Remarks

SP3 Financial One of the major benefits realisations of applying CLART has aided the preparation of 160,000 plans across 6 states which will help financing to providing livelihood opportunities in terms of wage labour, and has strengthened the prospects of several more opportunities such as livestock rearing, agriculture, pisciculture, Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection and sale, etc.

SP4 Data

SP5 Innovation The case is a good example of Data management, supply chain interlinkages and data delivery. The process innovation of integrating tools like CLART and GWMT with geospatial technologies used in GP-level planning has delivered lasting impacts on the ecological and economic outcomes of rural. It has also led to the bridging of the digital divide by bringing technology to the grassroots.

SP7 Partnerships

SP8 Capacity and Education

SP9 Communication and Engagement A large number of diverse stakeholders are involved in the curation, management and delivery of the outcomes as mentioned in the example. This case highlights the capacity development of 10,500+ government functionaries in the use of tools and technology for implementing government programs. In this given programme, stakeholders are identified in each state; then an integrated engagement strategy is developed to engage the different levels of stakeholders right from planning and execution of the programme to monitoring and evaluation.