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Khetee – Dryland Regeneration & Community Empowerment Hub in Bihar
Trust T1
- Climate Zones
- Tropical monsoon.
- Regenerative Focus
- Regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, community empowerment.
About this land node
Khetee regenerates degraded land in arid Bihar through regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and community empowerment, restoring soil fertility and livelihoods while integrating digital financial inclusion.
Overview
- Project Vision
- Build a regenerative economy and land restoration network.
- Project Purpose
- Restore dryland ecosystems and improve livelihoods through regenerative agriculture, community-led reforestation, and inclusive economic models that empower rural families.
- Project Title
- Khetee
- Political Location
- Banka District, Bihar, India
Ecology & biodiversity
- Flora & Fauna
- Neem trees, mahua trees, leopards, hornbills, jackals.
- Keystone species
- Leopards (top predators) maintain ecological balance.
- Biodiversity context
- Near Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Bihar’s biodiversity.
- Ecological corridors
- Links Kaimur to Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
- Natural boundaries
- Within Ganges River basin and Chandan River catchment.
- Ecosystem unity
- Tropical monsoon dryland connecting riverine plains, small hills, and agroecosystems, supporting drought-resistant species and farming.
Climate & water
- Climate Zones
- Tropical monsoon.
- Rainfall patterns
- Rainy Jun–Sep (~300 mm/month); dry Oct–May.
- Average Rainfall
- 800–1,200 mm/year
- Temperature Extremes
- 20°C to 38°C
- Average Temperature
- 29°C average
- Watershed
- Ganges River watershed draining to Bay of Bengal.
- Aquifers & groundwater
- Limited aquifers; uses surface water and rain harvesting.
- Nearby water bodies
- ≈20 km to Ganges River; ≈10 km to Chandan River
Land & terrain
- Elevation & slope
- 100–300 m; flat plains ideal for farming.
- Landforms
- Dry plains and small hills.
- Soil Types
- Sandy-loam soils low in fertility; revitalized through mulching and biochar.
- Soil health
- Low organic matter, improving with regenerative farming.
- Erosion risk
- High erosion risk; mitigated by tree planting and vetiver hedges.
- Natural resources
- Water, timber (neem, mahua), biodiversity.
- Renewable resource potential
- Solar energy, water harvesting, biomass.
People & history
- Land Acknowledgements
- Honours Santal people’s sustainable practices.
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Santal agroforestry and water harvesting.
- Human Cultures
- Santal communities and local farmers.
- Cultural continuity
- Local Bihar farmers, eco-tourists, researchers
- Cultural landscapes
- Agroforestry plots, community forests, cultural trails.
- Recent land history
- Overgrazing and deforestation now reversed.
Regenerative practice
- Regenerative Focus
- Regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, community empowerment.
- Regenerative Methodologies
- Seed balls, biochar, contour planting, community tree nurseries.
- Environmental objectives
- Enhance biodiversity, restore soils, rehydrate landscapes.
- Community objectives
- Provide livelihoods, education, gender equity, and digital finance.
- Community engagement
- Workshops, eco‑tours, training, digital support.
- Economic Model
- Donations, eco‑tourism, local product sales.
Impact
- Expressed Impact
- Converted 150 ha, increased biodiversity by 10%, trained 200+ farmers.
- Key impact metrics
- Ha restored, biodiversity uplift, farmers trained.
Visiting & links
- Nearest urban centres
- ≈40 km from Bhagalpur.
- Website
- https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/khetee-india/
- Social media
- https://www.instagram.com/ecorestorationcommunities