A khadeen is a traditional agricultural and water harvesting system unique to the Thar Desert, designed to support non-irrigated rabi crops in this arid landscape. Centuries old, these structures ingeniously capture and retain rainwater, making productive farming possible where conventional irrigation is not.
Khadeens are constructed in areas where rainwater (Rejwaani paani) collects above an impermeable ‘meth’ layer, forming shallow aquifers. The system typically consists of earthen or masonry embankments (bandhs) on two or three sides to retain monsoon runoff, an overflow (chaddar) for excess water, and a drain (naala) to release water before sowing. While water is held, the khadeen acts like a talaab, allowing moisture to percolate and enrich the soil. After a couple of months, water is drained, and non-irrigated crops such as channa, wheat, and vegetables are sown, relying on the residual moisture for growth.
A key feature of khadeens is their relationship with shallow wells or beris, which are dug within or near the fields. As water percolates from the khadeen, it recharges these wells, providing essential water for irrigation and livestock well after the monsoon. Many beris have been constructed or restored within khadeens to ensure access to drinking water for both people and animals.
Sambhaav Trust has worked to restore older khadeens by repairing embankments, improving catchment areas, and constructing drains and overflows, while also building new khadeens in places where traditional systems had disappeared. Notably, in areas like Ekalpaar and Dablapaar—where water never stayed and agriculture was absent—new khadeens now enable families to cultivate crops and sustain their livelihoods.
Our work spans both communal and privately owned khadeens, ranging from large communal structures like Derasar to smaller khadeens near villages such as Ramgarh. Restoration is a collaborative effort, with significant community involvement and support from Sambhaav.
An important activity in khadeen management is chapai—lining embankments with bushes and soil to trap windblown sand, further strengthening the bunds. Pre-monsoon sandstorms (andhi) also play a role in building up these embankments over time.
These community-led efforts have greatly improved water retention, soil moisture, and groundwater recharge, directly benefiting hundreds of families and thousands of livestock. Farmers can now reliably grow wheat, barley, pulses, and fodder using only the residual moisture, supporting agriculture and pastoralism even during drought years. Restoring khadeens has strengthened food security and built long-term resilience for desert farming communities.
