India, May 28 -- In sharp contrast to some parts of Aravallis where mining and real estate are threatening common lands, in Rajasthan's Gogunda, a network of ponds is being conserved, utilised and carefully rationed by villagers.

The rules are clear: use water efficiently for irrigation from wetlands, leave the rest for livestock, wild animals, insects and birds.

Gogunda's Kanji Ka Guda is an example of how wetlands, pastures, hills, small streams and sacred groves are carefully managed as "common" lands spanning around 400 hectares of Aravalli landscape. "The rule is that villagers can take water only for the Rabi crop. There is enough water for the crop. The rest will be left for livestock, animals and birds because if there is no wat...