A high-level, multi-state delegation of Chief Executive Officers and senior watershed officers from six Indian states visited the Tahruali cluster in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, from 24-29 October 2025. Facilitated by ICRISAT, the visit showcased the institute’s science-led landscape rejuvenation work under its partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Delegates witnessed how integrated watershed interventions have transformed degraded land into productive, climate-resilient ecosystems. They observed the successful application of science-based planning, digital tools, and participatory governance in rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, and crop diversification. The visit highlighted tangible outcomes, including enhanced groundwater recharge, which enables diversified farming, agroforestry, and improved livelihoods, leading to greater income and nutritional security for local communities.
The “Bundelkhand model” was presented as a scalable framework for system-level transformation. Delegates appreciated the use of Land Resource Inventory and socio-economic analysis, sharing reflections on how these learnings could inform next-generation watershed programs in their respective states, reinforcing ICRISAT’s role as a key science partner in climate-resilient rural development.
