--- title: "From Dropout to Padma Shri: Water Restores 1800 Acres in Rajasthan" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/dropout-to-padma-shri-water-rajasthan-11rd0 publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Society published: 2026-08-27T06:00:34.545Z modified: 2026-08-27T08:00:06.917Z language: en-IN --- # From Dropout to Padma Shri: Water Restores 1800 Acres in Rajasthan A Rajasthan village leader who dropped out at 17 revived a dead pond and developed a rainwater harvesting system that irrigated 1,800 acres by 1984 and inspired broader conservation across the region, earning a Padma Shri in 2023. ## Key takeaways - A single local initiative expanded from repairing a dry bund to a region-wide water-harvesting model. - The Chauka system slows runoff, retains moisture, recharges groundwater, and supports pasture health. - Water restoration directly enabled multi-season crop cultivation and livestock-based livelihoods. - The program grew into a community organization (GVNML) and spread to dozens of Rajasthan villages. - Laxman Singh was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023 for his social contributions. ## What Happened Laxman Singh, who left school at age 17 during a drought in Laporiya, Rajasthan, led a community effort to revive a long-dry bund. The initiative expanded into a Chauka-based rainwater harvesting system that improved water availability and pasture health across the village. The initial revival began with Singh, a friend, and a village priest gathering neighbors to repair the bund. The effort grew to about six people, then around 20 within a week, drawing more villagers to participate. The repaired bund filled with rainwater within two months, and by 1984 it irrigated about 1,800 acres, earning the water body the name Anna Sagar. This success spurred further pond and lake restorations, as well as pasture rehabilitation in Laporiya. Laporiya is described as an agro-pastoral village where livestock supports many livelihoods. Restoring water also helped revive gochar, the village’s common grazing land. Singh developed the Chauka system to capture rainwater across pastureland. The system uses square earthen sections to slow runoff, retain moisture, and recharge groundwater. When one Chauka fills, excess water flows to the next, allowing more soil moisture and better pasture and fodder, which strengthens the link between cattle farming and natural fertiliser. Through these efforts, Laporiya revived Anna Sagar, Phool Sagar, and Dev Sagar, retaining rainwater and recharging groundwater. The improved water availability enabled crops in both kharif and rabi seasons and supported livestock- and dairy-based livelihoods. Singh later founded Gramin Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Laporiya (GVNML) to coordinate conservation work, and the Chauka model spread to dozens of villages across Rajasthan. The work linked water harvesting, groundwater recharge, pasture restoration, and rural livelihoods into a community-led model. In 2023, Singh was recognized with the Padma Shri for his social contributions. ## Why It Matters The initiative demonstrates how a localized, community-led rainwater harvesting approach can transform both water security and rural livelihoods in a drought-prone region. By reviving multiple water bodies and restoring grazing lands, the model created a cohesive link between agriculture, livestock, and natural resources, enabling broader resilience against dry spells. ## Background Laporiya experienced a severe drought in 1977, prompting migration and school dropouts as families faced water scarcity. The revival of the bund and subsequent water management efforts emerged from local leadership and collective action, expanding from a single pond to a regional network of ponds and pasture improvements. ## Key Facts - 17-year-old Laxman Singh left school during a drought in Laporiya, Rajasthan. - Initial revival involved repairing a bund that had been dry for about 30 years. - The group grew from six to roughly 20 participants within a week. - The repaired bund filled with rainwater within two months. - By 1984, the water project irrigated about 1,800 acres and was named Anna Sagar. - The Chauka system uses square earthen sections to slow runoff, retain moisture, and recharge groundwater. - Restored water supported gochar (grazing land) and enabled crops in kharif and rabi seasons. - Singh founded Gramin Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Laporiya (GVNML) to coordinate conservation work. - The Chauka model spread to dozens of villages across Rajasthan. - Singh received the Padma Shri in 2023 for social work. ## What Happens Next The record indicates continued spread of the Chauka-based water harvesting approach to more villages within Rajasthan, with ongoing integration of water harvesting, groundwater recharge, pasture restoration, and livelihoods into a community-led framework. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/dropout-to-padma-shri-water-rajasthan-11rd0 Reported from: Multiple Sources