India is endowed with annual average rainfall of nearly 1,200 mm but a very small proportion of it is managed effectively. The various estimates on potential for rainwater harvesting suggest vast opportunities for mitigating the shortages. However, the socio-administrative measures in vogue do not encourage participation by the beneficiaries. There are several success stories in rainwater harvesting but these initiatives are rarely institutionalised at national level.

Conditions of water scarcity have been aggravated in Vadali village of Gujarat due to the persisting differences between higher castes, chiefly the ahirs, and those lower in the hierarchy such as the kolis and other dalit castes. Power relations are linked to social and economic hierarchy and the issue of resource inequity must be tackled through policy and advocacy measures.

Monsoon means celebrations for the people of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who script success stories of rainwater harvesting. But in Rajasthan they are questioned: who own the raindrop?

There is euphoria in the villages which have harvested rain. Overcoming hurdles, village communities learn the first lesson in water management

Only a strong political commitment for water conservation will ensure the survival of these structures

Keshubhai Patel Chief minister, Gujarat On overflowing check dams: We needed a permanent solution that not only drought-proofs the state but also provides livelihoods. The effort is to trap

Digvijay Singh Chief minister, Madhya Pradesh On institutionalisation of structures: They are already public property. They were built according to needs of the people. For example, the

Government watershed programmes run for a limited period. The impractical timeframe threatens to undo the goodwork