Participatory monitoring
A groundwater-monitoring programme operated and understood by the village itself.
The MARVI approach
Science becomes useful when it becomes local.
MARVI brings technical knowledge, community experience and practical monitoring together at village level.
The aim is to improve irrigation-water security and rural livelihoods by making the invisible visible.
Groundwater is often managed one well at a time, even though every bore draws from a connected aquifer. MARVI creates a shared picture through participatory monitoring, aquifer-recharge assessment and village dialogue.
The project works across hydrology, hydrogeology, agronomy, economics and social science. The result is not a report left on a shelf, but knowledge a community can use.
Recharge that can be measured
Assess rainwater-harvesting structures and understand what genuinely reaches the aquifer.
Decisions made together
Turn readings into conversations about crops, pumping, sharing and long-term water security.
Sense
Measure groundwater levels, rainfall, water quality and recharge structures with simple field tools. Farmers, Bhujal Jaankaars and local citizens regularly measure groundwater levels, rainfall and other local water conditions to build a shared understanding of their groundwater system. Upload observations to MyWell and turn repeated measurements into understandable trends.
Store
Capture and recharge more water locally. Communities identify practical ways to improve groundwater recharge, including farm-scale and community recharge interventions, such as pits, ponds, check-dams suited to local conditions.
Share
Share groundwater more fairly and efficiently. Communities explore cooperative approaches to groundwater use, including sharing groundwater between farmers, so more people benefit from available water. Also, share learning and experiences with others for a better groundwater future in the region.
Sustain
Use groundwater within its long-term limits. Monitoring, recharge and collective decision-making help communities balance groundwater use with replenishment and protect the resource for the future.