Recent efforts at water conservation

From Scroll.in  About Anupam Mishra's Aaj Bhi Khare Hain Talaab (The Lakes Are Still Alive) "Twenty years after it was published, the slim copyright-free volume, written in lucid Hindi, has inspired scores of farmers, government officials and activists across the country to use a variety of simple methods to make their communities self-reliant in water."
A 2005 story about similar efforts in Karnataka based on a book written 170 years ago  Drought-proofed by traditional wisdom
"This book, Krushi Jnana Pradeepike (KJP), now available in print, is unique. It was written based on the time-tested practical knowledge of farming. Ghanamatha Nagabhushan Shivayogi Swamiji, the author of this book, hailed from Daroor, in Andhra Pradesh. He had spent a good part of his life in northern Karnataka. The 350-page text is full of practical information to help farmers grow a variety of crops, to prepare manure and to conserve soil and water. Ten pages are allotted for soil and water conservation and drought-proofing."
Some more links in http://gaddeswarup.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/practicing-water-conservation-in.html
For links to approaches using modern technology check http://gaddeswarup.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/from-worlds-biggest-farme-says-future.html

P.S. More about Anupam Mishra in http://gaddeswarup.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/more-on-water-management.html