By Admin 
Jaisalmer Adbala Village: If you look far here, you can see sand dunes. In daylight it seems as if water is scattered on the shining sand, but as soon as we get closer, the reality comes to light. We are talking about Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, where the golden sand dunes touching the sky attract everyone, but the dark reality here will blow your senses.
Most of the villages in this district, which shine with colorful lights from the rays of the sun to the dark nights, once struggled for drinking water, but the women here not only saved water, but also revived a 900-year-old tradition. This campaign, which started from Adbala Panchayat, has now started showing its colors in all the villages of Jaisalmer. Let us know how the women who nourished motherly love quenched the thirst of the land of dhors? What problems did they face in their campaign and how did they save water from the water mafia?
Adbala’s pond is about 900 years old
Sawai Singh of Adbala village told that during the 14th century, Bhidkamal Bhati had got the jagir, under whose jurisdiction about 12 villages came. Even at that time there was a lot of water shortage in the area. In such Adabala village, a pond was built and it was named Sanvarai Pond, in which people from all the 12 villages together made a big pond, so that there was no shortage of water.
During that time, first of all digging was done for the pond and embankment was also done all around it. At that time there was very less rainfall, but whatever water came, it started collecting in this pond and people started using it. After independence, when the government started being formed in Rajasthan, some help was also received from the government for the pond.
How did the situation worsen?
According to Sawai Singh, tourism gradually started increasing in Jaisalmer, due to which the water shortage also increased. He told that this Sanvarai pond quenches the thirst of about 11 thousand people of eight nearby villages, but since last 10 years i.e. around 2015, the resort people started stealing the water of this pond. The pond started drying up while providing drinking water to the tourists. Because of this, in summer the village people had to spend Rs 1,500 each to get tankers.
He told that due to lack of water there were fights, but there was no change. At that time the men tried to stop the theft, but could not succeed. In such a situation, women took charge and started protecting the pond by naming themselves Jal Saheliyan. He told that people of all the nearby villages drink the water of this village and it is also used for other purposes including farming.
How was the pond saved?
Kamla Devi, who lives in Adbala, says that when the water in the pond started running out and the men’s efforts to save it were not successful, she formed a group with 5 women. This group was also named Jal Saheliyan. The women included in this group monitor this pond from morning till evening, so that tankers of any resort cannot take away water from here.
He told that many times tankers come in the afternoon to fill water, for which women remain ready. Even if a tanker is filled with water, it is immediately emptied and the water is also poured into the pond. A fine of Rs 1000 is also imposed on the owners of such tankers. This money is used for deepening the pond and its maintenance etc.
Guards are kept even at night
Bhanu Devi, who is part of the Jal Saheliyan group, says that she also talked to the resort owners to stop the frequent water theft. Explained to them the importance of water. Also, it was told that this water is for all of us. Only tourists do not have the right on this. In such a situation, water theft should be stopped.
The effect of this was that many resort owners agreed, but some people still try to steal water. After catching such people, a fine of Rs 1000 is imposed on them. To prevent theft of water, the pond is guarded even at night. Men also get full support in this, due to which saving water has become easier.
How big has the group become now?
Kamla Devi tells that the size of our Jal Saheliyan group is continuously increasing. Starting with 5 women, now about 50 women have joined this group, whose aim is to protect the water of the pond. At the same time, their number has crossed 300 in different villages.
Separate shifts are assigned to each woman in the group. If a woman does not attend her shift, a fine of Rs 50 is also imposed on her. The amount received from the fine is used for the maintenance of the pond.
Meeting is held every month
A meeting is also held every month for the cleanliness of the pond, in which the maintenance of the pond is also discussed. Besides, suggestions are also sought from the people, so that steps can be taken for the betterment of the pond.
According to Renu Devi, apart from the women included in the group, one member from every house of the village has been made a member of the committee. For this a membership charge of Rs 50 is taken. This money is also used for the betterment of the pond.
Daughter and daughter-in-law are also taught
According to Kamala Devi, there is a custom of connecting new daughters-in-law coming to the village with the pond. When a son gets married in a house, the incoming daughter-in-law is taught how to take care of the pond along with following the customs of her family. Besides, they are also given information about the cleanliness of the pond.
At the same time, when a daughter of a village gets married in another village, she is advised to explain the importance of water to her in-laws, so that the water shortage in the area can be eliminated. This tradition is being followed for many generations.
Connection of pond with festivals also added
Bhanu Devi told that the maintenance of the pond has also been linked to Teej festival etc. Under this, women especially go to take care of the pond on festivals like Purnima, Hariyali Teej, Ekadashi, Baisakhi, Guru Purnima. During that time, after cleaning the pond, worship etc. is done.
During that time, children are also taken near the pond and explain to them its importance. Apart from this, children studying in village schools are also made to visit the pond from time to time and the importance of water is explained to them.
The scope of the pond increased year after year
Jalam Singh, LDC in Adbala Panchayat, says that earlier this pond was very small, but its size is being increased year after year. Many people have given up their land for this. At present the size of the pond has reached two and a half to three bighas. Initially, people whose land came within the scope of this pond, donated their land for this pond.
Talking about donated land, 25 bighas of land has been left for the pond. At the same time, to ensure that rain water does not get wasted at all, continuous paths are made around the pond. In such a situation, this pond has now spread over 25 bighas of land. Its watershed is about three bighas and the flow area is from 1000 to 1200 bighas. Yellow stones of Jaisalmer have been installed below the pond, so that the water remains clean and does not dry up quickly. At the same time, the depth has reached about 20 feet in the middle.
ponds being constructed continuously
According to Jalam Singh, Sanvarai Pond has now become a model pond for the surrounding areas. New ponds are being built continuously on its lines. If we talk about the one kilometer radius of Sanvarai Pond, many ponds have been dug here till now. Among these, Hapasar Pond, Suiti Pond, Udasar Pond and Sanwara Pond etc. have been built.
At the same time, the work of constructing many other ponds is also being done continuously. He told that for working on new ponds, water contribution of Rs 500-500 is also taken from the village people, after which JCB is called and the pond is dug.
Village people also got employment
Tan Singh, living in Adbala village, said that help from MNREGA scheme was also given to build these ponds. Under this, the village people also got employment. They are given around Rs 250 daily, due to which they do not have to go to another city for employment. They work in the village itself and also take care of the pond.
He told that apart from this, a wall has also been built around the pond, so that the sand does not flow back into the pond due to rain water. However, the area has not yet received the benefit of the Central Government’s Har Ghar Jal Har Ghar Nal scheme, due to which people are still dependent on ponds for water.
The campaign paid off in other villages too
The campaign of Jal Saheli of Adbala village is no longer limited to Adbala only. The group of these women has so far repaired 216 old water sources in different villages. Apart from this, work is being done to revive 1000 water resources.
Seeing this campaign of Jal Saheli, the Bhajan Lal Sharma government of Rajasthan is also helping them. Under this, training was also given to Jal Sahelis, after which they have become more capable in saving rain water and have started digital monitoring of ponds.
What do resort operators say?
Many resort operators of Jaisalmer were also talked to regarding allegations of stealing water from ponds. He said on the condition of anonymity that due to shortage of water in the area they have to make alternative arrangements. He says that there is a need to emphasize on saving rain water and developing private water sources. If we get help from the government in this direction, the situation can become better.
Government is also helping
Village Development Officer Prema Ram said that in view of the water shortage in districts like Jaisalmer, water conservation campaign is being run at a very fast pace in Rajasthan. Under this, the state government launched a campaign in July 2025, in which it was decided to revive old water sources to deal with the water crisis. Jal Saheli has been given a special place in this campaign.
This is the reason why these women are now working in more than 100 villages. He told that if someone steals water from the pond, his belongings are confiscated. Besides, a complaint is also filed against him in the police.
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Disclaimer: This report has been published under the Promise of the Commons fellowship.