Water Resources Planning, Policy and Management—Experiences from Kumudvathi River Rejuvenation Project

Kumudvathi River Rejuvenation Project is an initiative taken to revive the natural process of water resource renewability, which existed in nature. The terrain analysis using geospatial technology revealed the geomorphological and geohydrological processes that had been operating since ages and the conventional human interventions which made the water resources sustainable [1]. It was possible to reveal the causative factors which distorted the pre-existing water resources renewability factors, which in turn helped in evolving a methodology to copy nature’s method of cycling the water source between the surface and sub-surface with different layers of soil, vegetation, and subsurface aquifers, collecting the spatial and non-spatial information. It was possible to map, locate suitable sites for harvesting rainwater, recharge groundwater, revive the surface, and base flow with environment-friendly conditions. The structures constructed accordingly have been able to perform the function efficiently and yield good results of increased base flow, raising the water table, and improved groundwater potential. The pilot exercise proved efficient when concurrent impact assessment was done. This helped in project extension as stakeholder’s confidence and involvement increased, resulting in an extension of the project to the entire basin. Many hindrances and constraints faced are discussed in this paper. It needs the attention of the policymakers and also the government to adopt such proven cost-effective, eco-friendly, and innovative methods elsewhere in the similar geological terrains (Sharachchandra in World Dev 19(6):607–621, 1991 [2]). This also brings awareness and provisions for regulations to protect and maintain such structures to sustain the augmented process of water resource renewability.