Community forestry, growing fodder on common lands and spring recharge all require soil and water conservation efforts.

Soil and water conservation involves physically preventing the loss of soil and moisture by constructing percolation ponds, gully plugs, check dams and contour trenches. Fodder grasses are usually grown in the contour trenches to both prevent soil erosion as well as provide a much needed resource to the community.

We are only just beginning to understand the hydrogeological aspects of soil and water conservation and have been trying to get a better picture of this with the help of experts from ACWADAM in Pune.