As monsoon clouds roll over India’s vast landscape, they bring much-needed relief from summer heat and renewed hope for farmers and rural communities. However, despite the abundance that the rains offer, much of this precious water is lost, flowing away due to poor infrastructure, inadequate storage, and lack of awareness.
Monsoons offer a valuable shared opportunity for communities, governments, and organizations alike. The S M Sehgal Foundation team understands that the monsoon is not just a season; the monsoon season is an opportunity, a chance to conserve, recharge, and secure water for the months to come for water-scarce communities. So, the question arises why is water conservation necessary?
A Paradox of Plenty
India receives nearly 75 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon months, yet many rural communities face acute water scarcity year-round. This paradox is most visible and dire in states like Rajasthan and Bihar, where water either floods the fields or vanishes deep underground, out of reach. S M Sehgal Foundation has been working with partners in these regions to reverse this pattern by turning monsoons into opportunities for creating water security.
Success Story: Recharging Hope in Nuh, Haryana
In Nuh, Haryana, one of India’s most water-stressed districts, the foundation team works alongside local villagers to construct check dams and recharge wells. These simple yet powerful structures helped capture monsoon runoff that would otherwise have eroded fertile topsoil and disappeared into drains. More than 100 recharge structures across villages in Nuh have replenished groundwater tables and greatly reduced the drudgery for women who once walked miles to fetch water.
“Earlier, our wells would dry up by October. Now, water lasts till the next monsoon,” says Shabnam, a community member in Nuh.
From Runoff to Resource in Andhra Pradesh
In drought-prone Anantapur, S M Sehgal Foundation introduced rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in government schools. These systems collect and store rainwater for use during dry months, ensuring clean drinking water for students. What began as an infrastructure solution quickly became an educational one: children learned about the importance of water conservation and became ambassadors for change in their communities.
“My students now ask their parents to build rainwater systems at home,” shares a school principal. This ripple effect exemplifies the foundation’s work to promote community-led change.
Smart Technology, Smarter Farming
Monsoons are vital for India’s agriculture, but unpredictable rainfall can make farming a gamble. Through its Adaptive Technology–Agriculture (AT-A) initiative, Sehgal Foundation is piloting IoT-based irrigation solutions that optimize water use in farming and make water conservation in agriculture a reality. In collaboration with agricultural research institutes, these tools are tested on experimental plots and later introduced to farmers, turning monsoon variability into a manageable factor rather than a crisis.
Why Water Conservation Can’t Wait
As climate change amplifies the unpredictability of rainfall, water conservation projects can no longer be reactive, we must be proactive. The monsoon season is a critical window not just to harvest water, but to plant the seeds of behavioral change.
S M Sehgal Foundation combines traditional knowledge with modern water conservation techniques, which illustrates that rural India doesn’t lack the will to change, only the means. Whether constructing check dams, building rainwater harvesting units, or training farmers in water-smart agriculture, the impact is real and measurable.
What Can You Do to Turn This Monsoon Into a Movement?
India’s monsoon season holds immense potential—not just to replenish rivers and fields, but to create lasting water security in regions that face daily scarcity. Here’s how you can contribute meaningfully:
- Support a school in rural India: Sponsor rainwater harvesting systems and sanitation facilities in government schools across water-stressed districts like Anantapur, Nuh, or Bihar. These systems ensure clean drinking water for children during dry spells and reduce their dependency on unreliable water sources.
- Spread awareness on the importance of water conservation: Use your voice—online or offline—to highlight the importance of water conservation in everyday life. Sharing stories of rural resilience, simple conservation techniques, and successful community projects helps inspire action beyond city limits.
- Partner with grassroots initiatives: Collaborate with trusted organisations like S M Sehgal Foundation, which combines traditional wisdom with modern techniques to implement scalable solutions. From check dams in Haryana to rooftop systems in Andhra schools, your support can help communities secure long-term water access and climate resilience.
This monsoon season, let’s not watch the rain go down the drain. Let’s capture, conserve, and celebrate water—because every drop counts!
Article originally published on India CSR
Visit www.smsfoundation.org to learn how to be part of this transformation.
FAQs
India receives around 75% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon months. Without proper water conservation techniques, most of this rainwater is lost due to runoff, leading to year-round water scarcity—especially in rural areas.
Check dams store excess rainwater and recharge groundwater. In Nuh, a water-stressed district, these structures have improved water availability and reduced the burden on women who once travelled miles to fetch water.
Rooftop rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainwater for both drinking and sanitation purposes. In places like Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, these systems ensure year-round access to water and help raise awareness about water conservation among students.
IoT-based irrigation systems and adaptive farming practices help optimise water use during the monsoon season. These technologies, piloted by S M Sehgal Foundation, support farmers in managing rainfall variability and increasing crop resilience.
You can sponsor rainwater harvesting systems in schools, spread awareness on social platforms, or partner with organisations like S M Sehgal Foundation to help build water security for vulnerable communities.
About the Author
Rajat Jay Sehgal
Chairperson, S M Sehgal Foundation
Rajat Jay Sehgal is chairperson of Sehgal Foundation and serves on the boards of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment and Hytech Seed India Pvt. Ltd. With a background in Business Administration and MIS from the University of Iowa, he played a key role in developing S M Sehgal Foundation to what it is at present. He has also been awarded with the Iowa Ag Leadership Award and the University of Iowa’s International Impact Award.
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