Mariyamman Ravi

Tamil Nadu's water conservation pioneer creating drought-resistant villages

Mariyamman Ravi (b. 1965) transformed Ramanathapuram District through her Three-Layer Water Architecture system. Combining ancient Tamil water harvesting with modern GIS mapping, her method increased groundwater levels by 18 meters in 7 years.

Her Community Moisture Index became nationally adopted after being featured in NDTV's Water Warriors series. The Ravi Jalakund (water cell) model enables villages to store 3 years' water supply through integrated percolation tanks and fog catchers.

Documented in the Indian Institute of Human Settlements Case Study 2021, Ravi's work prevented mass migration from 23 drought-prone villages. Her patented Bio-Sand Moisture Lock technology received UNCCD's 2020 Land for Life Award.