Blog: Jal Sahelis: The women fighting drought in Bundelkhand

India accounts for 18% of the world’s population but has access to only 4% of its water resources, making it one of the most water-stressed countries globally. In Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region in central India, frequent droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have devastated agriculture and forced thousands to migrate each year in search of survival. 

Amidst this crisis, a group of over 1,000 women known as Jal Sahelis, or ‘Friends of Water’, have taken up the challenge of reclaiming their parched lands. Armed with shovels and determination, these women are not just restoring ancient water systems but also building resilience, reducing poverty and challenging deep-rooted caste and gender inequalities.

The problem: Bundelkhand’s water crisis

Bundelkhand, spanning Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, faces severe water scarcity. Much of the region is made up of hard rock, making groundwater, its primary fresh water source, unreliable. Over the past two decades, declining rainfall and rising temperatures have caused more frequent and severe droughts.

Women bear much of the burden, with many walking hours each day to fetch water, risking their safety and health. At the same time, with 70% of the population dependent on agriculture, persistent droughts have wiped out crops, plunging families into poverty, and forcing thousands to leave their homes each year. 

The Jal Sahelis’ solution: Restoring water, reviving hope

Founded in 2011 with support from Parmath Samj Sevi Sandthan, an NGO dedicated to water conservation and women’s empowerment, the Jal Sahelis are rewriting Bundelkhand’s story. Through training in water safety, hygiene, and technical skills like hand pump repairs, these women have become leaders in tackling water scarcity. 

Their work focuses on restoring water bodies and building check dams, ensuring communities have reliable water sources, without state funding. They have also established Pani Panchayats, or village water councils, to oversee water management and planning. The Jal Sahelis’ impact is significant: restoring 216 water bodies, supporting the construction of 1,000 more, helping over 100 villages become water self-sufficient, and raising water conservation awareness among 300,000 people. Their efforts have reduced migration, improved food security, and earned national recognition.

Scaling success: Can this model work elsewhere? 

By 2030, global freshwater demand is predicted to exceed supply by 40%. Addressing this growing crisis requires diverse solutions, from purifying wastewater to fog harvesting, to suit local contexts. The Jal Saheli model offers a low-cost, community-driven approach centred on empowering women and strengthening local governance. These principles could be adapted globally to address water scarcity while also driving wider social change. However, success depends on fostering community education, leadership training, and cultural acceptance. 

While no single solution can solve global water scarcity, this is a story of resilience and hope. In the face of climate change and systemic barriers, these women have shown that collective action can lead to profound change. It is a powerful reminder that solutions to global challenges often begin with those closest to the problem.