Arlikatti Lake Project
Arlikatti Lake: Drought-Proofing Rural Belagavi
Introduction
The Arlikatti Lake Project is a vital rural intervention aimed at providing a permanent solution to seasonal water scarcity. In many parts of Belagavi rural, the “tanker-dependence” cycle is broken only when local water bodies are returned to health. Pyaas Foundation identified Arlikatti as a high-impact zone where a rejuvenated lake could transform the lives of thousands. Our work here focused on creating a resilient water storage system that allows the village to survive even the harshest summers without external aid, fostering true community self-reliance.
About
The Arlikatti project involved extensive de-silting and the creation of “catchment trenches” to harvest runoff from the surrounding fields. It was executed with a focus on high-volume storage.
Problem
Arlikatti village suffered from acute water stress every summer. The local lake was almost entirely filled with hard-packed silt, meaning it could no longer hold enough water to sustain the community or recharge the local aquifers, leading to total borewell failure by March.
Our Solution
We deployed excavators to deepen the lake bed by several meters, reaching the porous soil layers that facilitate better percolation. The excavated silt was distributed to local farmers to improve their topsoil. We also worked with the village panchayat to ensure the catchment area remained free of future encroachments.
Impact / Result
- Tanker-Free Summers: The village has significantly reduced its reliance on government water tankers.
- Soil Enrichment: Thousands of tons of nutrient-rich silt were used to fertilize local agricultural land.
- Groundwater Resilience: Stable water levels in community wells throughout the year.