DEFINING THE IMPACTS OF A GWB PROJECT IN RURAL INDIA

Water scarcity is a crisis in central India that impacts the health, productivity, and quality of life of millions of people. The scientific goal of our study has been to use electromagnetic induction together with hydrologic monitoring methods to understand how village-level watershed development activities, particularly artificial recharge of groundwater, affects local water scarcity. This is a challenging problem given the complex geology of the Deccan Basalt present at our study area in Madhya Pradesh. Through our work, we have found that villagers are making a significant impact on the watershed and we are providing tools that they can use to help manage their resources. The scope and overall impact of our project, however, goes well beyond this technical analysis. We have integrated many project elements together to make this a successful project with a variety of impacts. Outreach and education activities, for example, have played a driving role in our activities. The development of a blog to engage the public, integration of student research opportunities, and creation of a short-course to train NGO staff provide examples of how the project has generated broad impacts. Within the watershed itself we have drilled wells and undertaken road improvements to meet the scientific objectives of the project. These actions have left behind infrastructure for the villagers. A key to achieving multiple impacts beyond the technical goals of the study has been taking a broad view of the project and considering non-technical issues in its evolution, such as stakeholder analysis.