Mapping and monitoring of village ponds in the Kandi belt of Jammu region

Water scarcity is a characteristic feature of the Kandi belt in Jammu region, and therefore, ways and means to harvest and conserve the rainwater have been tried and developed since times immemorial. Construction of ponds for harvesting rainwater for drinking and irrigation purposes has been a traditional way in Kandi belt of Jammu region. Several hundred small and big ponds exist in this area. But, most of the ponds in the Kandi belt of Jammu are in a state of utter neglect and disuse. These ponds hold great potential for harvesting rainwater in this area. Monitoring the state of village ponds is very useful in dry regions, as most of them are the only source of water supply during non-monsoon periods, and their water level is entirely constrained by the rhythm of local rainfall. A preliminary mapping and field monitoring exercise has been carried out for a limited number of village ponds for evaluation of the present status, and potential source of water supply in the Kandi belt of Jammu region.