REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
For Engagement of Consultant for Micro-Watershed Study, GIS Mapping, and Biodiversity Mapping under the Jaldhara Project
Issued by: Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, Jhansi
Website: parmarthindia.com
RFP Reference No.: PSSS/Jaldhara/RFP-02/2026
Date of Issue: 09 April 2026
Last Date for Submission of Proposals: 15 April 2026 by 5:00 PM IST
1. Letter of Invitation
Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS), a grassroots organization dedicated to water crisis mitigation in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh since 1996 which is also working in Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, invites sealed Technical and Financial Proposals from eligible and experienced consultants/firms for conducting a detailed Micro-Watershed Study, GIS Mapping, and Biodiversity Mapping under the Jaldhara Project.
The Jaldhara Project is being implemented in 20 villages of Bada Malhara (Badamalhara) Block, Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh. The study will provide scientific inputs for water harvesting structures, watershed area delineation, repair/renovation of existing ponds and structures, and river rejuvenation works to enhance water security, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods in the region.
This RFP seeks proposals under the Two-Envelope System (Technical Proposal in Envelope-A and Financial Proposal in Envelope-B).
The selection will be based on Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method with 70% weightage to Technical Proposal and 30% to Financial Proposal.
2. Background of the Organization and Project
Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan has been working for over 30 years on water conservation, river rejuvenation, pond renovation, and community-led natural resource management across Bundelkhand, Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The organization has rejuvenated more than 112 Chandela-era tanks, constructed over 2,000 water structures, revived four rivers, and formed Pani Panchayats and Jal Sahelis in hundreds of villages.
The Jaldhara Project focuses on integrated watershed development in water-stressed villages of Bada Malhara Block (a semi-critical groundwater zone). The project aims:
To restore and sustainably manage aquatic ecosystems by integrating scientific waterbody rejuvenation, community-led water governance, women’s leadership, and convergence with government programs, thereby ensuring long-term water security, groundwater recharge, and equitable access to safe drinking water for marginalized rural communities.
The project geography faces acute water scarcity due to severe groundwater depletion and degradation of natural waterbodies. Siltation, pollution, and neglect have weakened aquatic ecosystems. Limited community engagement, poor water governance, and climate variability have further intensified the crisis. The absence of sustainable water management practices threatens long-term water security and rural resilience.
Nestled in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, Bada Malhera block—where 20 villages surveyed under the proposed Jal Dhara Project—ranks among India's most water-stressed areas. With an average annual rainfall of just 900 mm, erratic monsoons, hard rock geology, and poor recharge, groundwater depletion has intensified, dropping levels by up to 23 meters in recent decades.
Agriculture, the lifeline for 29,384 residents across 4,668 families (8.9% General, 56.5% OBC, 31.7% SC, 2.9% ST), spans 11,585 hectares, 91.8% cultivable. Wheat dominates Rabi (70%), alongside mustard, gram, and peas; Kharif features soybean, urad, and groundnut. Yet, yields suffer from high input costs and water shortages, averaging 5.6 months per village, peaking April-June. Irrigation relies on ponds (one-two cycles/season, dry by February), borewells, and the Bila Bandh canal, covering 4,441 ha via wells and 4,429 ha via surface sources. Seasonal rivers like Dhasan, Katan, and Bachheri face sedimentation and pollution.
3. Objectives of the Assignment
The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive micro-watershed study using modern tools (GIS, remote sensing, and field surveys) along with biodiversity mapping to:
- Delineate micro-watershed boundaries and assess hydrological potential.
- Identify and prioritize locations for new/repair of water harvesting structures (ponds, check dams, percolation tanks, etc.).
- Map existing water bodies, assess their condition, and prepare detailed scope of works for repair/renovation.
- Map biodiversity (flora and fauna) and suggest conservation measures.
- Provide a complete technical and financial roadmap for river rejuvenation and watershed treatment works.
Instructions to Consultants
- Proposals must be submitted in two separate emails:
- First Email (Technical Proposal) – Marked “Technical Proposal Parmarth– Jaldhara RFP”
- Second email (Financial Proposal) – Marked “Financial Proposal Parmarth – Jaldhara RFP”
- Submission Mode: Email only
- Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Queries: All queries must be sent by email latest by 15th April 2026 to helpdesk.parmarth@parmarthsanstha.in & cc : manish@parmarthsanstha.in .
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.