Bhujal Jankaars (BJs)
Bhujal Jankaars (BJs), a Hindi word (भूजल जानकार) meaning groundwater informed, are local volunteers involved in develop village level science for community engagement and participatory groundwater management. This unique approach of village level engagement was developed in the MARVI project
With appropriate training and capacity building, BJs monitor groundwater levels, rainfall, checkdam water levels and water quality, making sense from a village perspective of what is happening to village groundwater recharge and availability. BJs convey this information to farmers and others in their own language and help in the planning and the use of groundwater at the local level. BJs are an effective, trusted and valuable interface between village communities and government agencies, NGOs and researchers.
To learn more about the BJ approach of participatory groundwater monitoring and management, please download the document below.
BJs getting training in watertable monitoring at one of dug wells in the Meghraj watershed.