ABSTRACT

An innovative participatory technology of watershed development which

consists of activities which were not yet earlier and there is no
application of cement in any one of the activities.
This is participatory in the sense that the farmers can execute this works
on their own initiative and imaginative by following the guidelines given
to them. These guidelines have been formed in such a manner that they
can easily understood by the watershed development committee
members. Once the farmers understand these guidelines they can go
ahead with watershed development works without the help of any
engineer or scientist.
Now, according to this innovative participatory guidelines, was
developed by T. Hanumantha Rao garu in the year 1994 named as Four
Water Concept. This name was given Because the four waters in the
nature are optimized in this concept.
The four waters are
1. Rain water
2. Ground water
3. Soil moisture
4. Surface water
When the watershed developmental activities are carried out with this
concept certain beneficial results will flow in the watershed with water
as core unit. The results are
 Streams become perennial.
 Less turbid flow in streams.
 Dug wells with water in summer.
  30% of rein fed area irrigates with ground water.
 Essential water resources even in drought years.

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INTRODUCTION

By innovating in integrated water conservation methods, Telangana has

developed a replicable model of groundwater recharge, which has improved its
water table significantly
Gottigarpally, a village 60 km from the district headquarters of Kohir mandal, has been
attracting regular visitors who have an interest in water. They come to learn about Four
Waters, a technique to improve groundwater level and raise three crops a year.
Four Waters is the brainchild of the late T. Hanumantha Rao, an engineer who
implemented it in this village between 2001 and 2004 under the Drought Prone Area
Development Programme.
At its peak, the plan brought irrigation to as many as 1,000 hectares of parched land
through groundwater, at a cost of ₹50 lakh.

Cement not used

What made the programme distinct was its use of earthen material, and no cement, to
build 163 mini percolation tanks, 500 hectares of continuous contour trenches and
staggered trenches around the hilly areas of the village.
In the Four Waters concept, the central focus is on using rain water, surface water and
groundwater, and maintenance of soil moisture at a high level. It provides crops with
protection from extreme heat and lack of irrigation.
The results are astonishing. Gottigarpally now has a healthy groundwater table and
farmers are able to cultivate two or three crops a year. Today, the water is visible at a
three-metre depth in one pit and at 25 feet in an open well.
It has attracted countrywide attention, and former vice-chairman of the National Disaster
Management Authority, Marri Sashidhar Reddy, said after a visit that it was good
enough to be replicated across Telangana.
Taking a cue from the village, Sriram Vedire, who hails from Warangal district and is
Chairperson of the Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resource Planning Authority,
decided to adopt it. Working with a team consisting of Rakesh Reddy (from
Nizamabad), Janga Reddy (Nalgonda) and Mohd. Afsar (Medak), he implemented the
Four Waters concept in all districts of Rajasthan.
“We have implemented it initially in 50,000 acres and it is now being extended to 16.5
lakh hectares at an estimated cost of ₹1,800 crore under the Mukhyamantri Jal
Swawalamb Abhiyan. The average cost per acre comes to between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000,
depending on the soil and other conditions,” said Mr. Afsar, who visited the village last
year. With Four Waters, the Rajasthan
government even hopes that 12 of its desert districts will bloom, ultimately.

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OBJECTIVE