The North Eastern Himalayan Region (NEHR) of India receives an impressive amount of rain every year, almost 1500 mm on average. This is about 7.5% of India’s total water resources, which sounds like a blessing. Yet, much of this water flows away unused. The steep and hilly landscape causes rain to run off quickly, taking fertile soil along with it. Without enough storage structures, only a small fraction less than 1% of the available water is actually used for agriculture and other productive purposes.
For farmers, this is a frustrating reality. They see water rushing away in the rainy season, only to face dry fields a few months later. The rabi season often suffers most, as the soil dries up and crops struggle without irrigation. This limits farmers to growing only one crop a year in many areas, reducing income and food supply. To break this cycle, simple and affordable water harvesting solutions are essential. One such solution, called Jalkund, is proving to be a game changer in these hill ecosystems.
What is Jalkund?
Jalkund is a small, lined pond designed to collect and store rainwater for use during the dry months. It is usually dug in a location where rainwater naturally flows and can be captured. The inside is lined with materials like Silpaulin sheets to prevent seepage, and often cushioned with dry pine leaves or grass to protect the lining.
Its size can vary depending on the farmer’s needs and land availability. Some Jalkunds store as little as 30,000 litres, while larger ones can hold up to 150,000 litres. This stored water can be used for irrigating vegetables, pulses, and other crops during the rabi season, or for nursery raising and livestock needs.
How Jalkund Helps in Farming
The main advantage of Jalkund is that it provides water exactly when farmers need it most in the dry season after the monsoon. With water on hand, farmers can grow a second crop after harvesting rice or other kharif crops. This means moving from single cropping to double cropping, which significantly increases food production.
Vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and peas thrive with timely irrigation from Jalkund water. These crops often fetch better prices than staple grains, giving farmers a higher income. Beyond income, crop diversification also reduces the risks of total crop failure, since not all crops are affected by the same pests, diseases, or weather conditions.
Boosting Cropping Intensity and Food Security
Before Jalkund, many farmers could only grow one crop per year due to lack of water in the rabi season. Now, cropping intensity has increased by 30-40% in areas where Jalkunds have been adopted. Fields that once stayed empty in winter are now green with vegetables and pulses.
This increase in cropping intensity not only improves incomes but also strengthens food security. More food is produced locally, reducing the need to buy expensive vegetables from outside the region. Crop rotation between cereals and vegetables also helps maintain soil fertility, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Environmental and Ecological Benefits
Jalkund is not just about water storage, it also protects the land. In hilly terrain, heavy rains often cause soil erosion, washing away the fertile topsoil that crops depend on. By slowing down and capturing rainwater, Jalkund reduces runoff and erosion.
Stored water also helps recharge groundwater levels, which is especially important in areas where wells and springs are drying up. Over time, this contributes to the overall ecological balance of the region, making the farming system more resilient to climate change.
Community Impact and Employment
The construction and upkeep of Jalkunds often involve local labour, creating small but valuable job opportunities. In many villages, farmers work together to dig ponds, lay the lining, and maintain the structures. This teamwork builds community bonds and creates a shared sense of ownership over the water resources.
When water is available, it also benefits livestock, home gardens, and even small-scale fish farming, further improving household nutrition and incomes.
Challenges to Wider Adoption
While Jalkund is relatively low-cost compared to large irrigation projects, the initial investment can still be difficult for small farmers. The cost includes excavation, lining material, and labour. Regular maintenance is also essential to prevent damage to the lining and to keep the pond clean. In some cases, water distribution from the Jalkund to the fields may be uneven, requiring better planning or additional small channels and pipes.
Government schemes, NGOs, and farmer cooperatives can help overcome these challenges by providing financial support, training, and technical guidance.
In the North Eastern Himalayan hills, where nature gives generous rain but takes it away just as quickly, Jalkund offers a simple and effective answer. By storing rainwater, farmers can irrigate crops in the dry months, grow more than one crop a year, and earn better incomes. The system also protects the soil, supports livestock, and strengthens communities.
With wider adoption, proper training, and regular maintenance, Jalkund could become a key tool for sustainable farming in hill regions. It is proof that sometimes, the best solutions are not the biggest or most expensive – they are the ones that fit the land, the people, and the rhythm of nature.
