13th Sept 2024 Bangalore, Karnataka, India Since 2013, The Art of Living has quietly led a water conservation revolution throughout India, restoring rivers and reviving communities affected by drought. With its River Rejuvenation Projects, the organisation has brought hope to millions across 19,400+ villages, impacting more than 34.5 million lives. These efforts aren’t just about replenishing water; they’re about revitalising entire ecosystems and paving the way for a sustainable future.
As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, often says, “Our survival depends on water. It is the basis of our life force. We need to protect and nurture the source of water.” Aligned with this vision, the organisation has constructed over 92,000 groundwater recharge structures, removed 270 lakh cubic metres of silt, and restored 59,000 square kilometres of land – conserving a whopping 174.02 billion litres of water, with these figures continuing to rise steadily.
The simple JalTara pit offers a scientific & scalable solution for the groundwater crisis
A Holistic Approach to Water Conservation in Karnataka
Beyond simply restoring water, these projects breathe life into the land and empower communities. The efforts in Karnataka, for example, have been nothing short of transformative. In regions like the Kumudvathi, Vedavathi, and Palar river basins, The Art of Living has built over 40,000 structures designed to let rainwater naturally recharge the groundwater. The community-led efforts have made a visible impact, with more than 1,50,000 trees planted and 1,00,000 cubic metres of desilting completed, directly benefiting over 13,000 villages.
These initiatives do more than boost water levels – they regenerate entire regions, turning barren land into fertile ground for farming. The renewed water supply has sparked a revival of agriculture in these areas, offering hope to farmers who had previously seen their crops fail..