UDHAMPUR, 11 July 2025: In a welcome turnaround for farmers of Channi-Mansar Panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, a newly constructed check dam under the NABARD-funded Watershed Development Project has brought renewed hope to the drought-prone region.
Built at a cost of INR 4.54 lakh under the Channi-Mansar Watershed Project, the dam has helped in conserving water, recharging groundwater levels, and reviving once-barren agricultural lands. Farmers, who had earlier abandoned cultivation due to chronic water scarcity, are now returning to their fields.
Rainwater Harvesting for Irrigation and Livelihoods
“This check dam has transformed our village,” said a local farmer. “Earlier, we had to rely on erratic rainfall and many gave up farming. Now, not only can we irrigate crops, but even animals have access to drinking water during the dry season.”
Constructed in a region plagued by runoff and erosion, the check dam is enabling the cultivation of multiple seasonal crops, leading to improved farm incomes. According to NABARD District In-charge Siddharth, the project also integrates training and support for women through self-help groups, including skill development in beekeeping and credit-linking under schemes like HADP (Holistic Agriculture Development Programme).
Watershed and Spring-Shed Model
NABARD is executing parallel initiatives under both the Watershed and Spring-Shed components in the region. While the Watershed Programme focuses on soil and water conservation, including the construction of check dams and wells, the Spring-Shed Model aims at reviving ancient water sources through ecological restoration.
Purshotam Kumar, Chairman of the Watershed Project, highlighted the importance of community-led maintenance: “We had a minor leak in March, but it was fixed quickly. The check dam not only benefits farming but supports the ecosystem. We’ve even constructed a water observation trench to track the impact.”
Boosting Socio-Economic Resilience
Farmers in the Channi-Mansar Panchayat now report higher productivity, thanks to better irrigation, groundwater recharge, and reduced soil erosion. The revival of farming has also reversed rural migration trends, allowing residents to pursue sustainable livelihoods in their native villages.
Villagers have urged the government to extend similar schemes to other nearby water-scarce areas. “This is a model for climate-resilient rural development,” said one community member.
