In 2025, Karuna-Shechen contributed to the construction of 16 ponds in India. Behind this figure are 5,458 people with improved access to water. For the people living in these villages, the impact goes far beyond the landscape.
A water reserve for everyday life
Access to water remains a challenge in many rural areas of India. Rainfall can be unpredictable, groundwater levels are declining, and available water sources do not always meet communities’ needs.
In this context, a pond can make a real difference. It collects rainwater and stores it for periods when water is less readily available. This reserve can serve several purposes: watering crops, providing drinking water for animals, and making certain household tasks easier.
For families, water is more readily available throughout the seasons. And simple everyday tasks become less demanding.
In summer, washing clothes and cleaning the house is easier, and we also carry water home to give to the goats and cows.
Malo, a resident of Sheba-bigha village, Bihar
A pond also helps support harvests
Stored water can also be used to irrigate fields and kitchen gardens. When rainfall is insufficient, this additional resource helps farmers maintain their crops and improve their harvests.
For families, this can mean more food produced locally and, when harvests allow, the opportunity to sell part of their produce. Water thus contributes to food security and livelihoods.
Animals also benefit from this reserve, which makes it easier to keep them supplied with water and supports livestock-rearing activities.
A solution developed with communities
The construction of a pond is planned according to the needs of the village and local conditions. Its location and design must allow it to retain water for as long as possible, while taking heavy rainfall into account.
Local residents contribute to the projects by providing materials and labour. This involvement helps ensure that the facilities meet local needs and can be maintained over time.
These 16 ponds are reserves of water for today, but also for the seasons to come. By improving access to water, they support everyday life and village activities, while helping to preserve an essential resource.
