MAR model: a blessing adaptation for hard-to-reach livelihood in thirsty Barind Tract, Bangladesh

Abstract Drought—recurring natural disaster phenomenon in Barind Tract, Bangladesh—were livelihood faces hardship for water demand. Seasonal rainfall and frequent drought with increasing frequencies since 2005 have thrown challenges for water resource management plan. The Tract with poor–very poor groundwater potentiality has irregular landscape, and most of the rainwater is lost as runoff into nearby canals (Khari), rivers, etc. So, highly groundwater-dependent irrigation system is increasing steadily with time resulting overexploitation and threatening toward resource unsustainability that will be aggravated in coming days. So for sustainable water resource management with high rainwater harvesting potentiality during rainy season, the managed aquifer recharge model—piloted and widely enacted as the integrated water resource management strategy—has operated since 2014 injecting rain/runoff through recharge pipes/shaft and dug well to augment groundwater during rainy season that can fulfill nearly 70% of groundwater demand maintaining its quality. Beneficiaries are satisfied with governance issues and sustainability of the models.