Soil & Water Conservation
Social Action for Rural Development (SARDA) promotes soil and water conservation practices to address land degradation, improve soil fertility, and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity in rural areas. Through integrated natural resource management approaches, SARDA supports farming communities in conserving vital land and water resources while strengthening climate resilience.
The organisation implements soil and water conservation interventions under programmes such as Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (WDC-PMKSY), Tribal Development Fund (TDF-WADI), IWMP(Integrated Watershed Development Program), and other natural resource management initiatives supported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and various state departments.
SARDA undertakes a range of structural and ecological conservation measures, including:
Construction of check dams and gully plugs to control soil erosion and regulate water flow
- Development of farm ponds and water harvesting structures to store rainwater for irrigation
- Contour bunding, trenching, and land levelling to reduce runoff and improve soil moisture retention
- Promotion of vegetative barriers and field bund strengthening to protect fertile topsoil.
These interventions significantly reduce soil erosion, enhance groundwater recharge, improve soil moisture availability, and strengthen farm productivity. By improving soil health and ensuring efficient water management, SARDA enables farmers to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Through community participation, farmer training, and long-term ecosystem restoration, SARDA contributes to sustainable farming systems, improved rural livelihoods, and the conservation of natural resources for future generations.