Terms of Reference for Baseline Study, Spring Shed and GIS Mapping
Supported by: SBI Foundation
Location: Dindori and Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh
About WaterAid India
Jal Seva Charitable Foundation (JSCF) is registered in India as a not-for-profit company under Chapter 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. JSCF is an associate member of WaterAid International and uses the brand name ‘WaterAid’ in India. JSCF or WaterAid India seeks to improve access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene for everyone, everywhere. Our work is focused on the following themes:
- Safe, assured drinking water at a household level.
- Safely managed sanitation.
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in institutions (Anganwadi, schools, and health care facilities).
- Hygiene education and behaviour change.
WaterAid India country office is based in New Delhi with State Offices in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Raipur, Kolkata, and Patna. WaterAid India currently works in 10 states across the country. As a direct implementing agency, WaterAid India district and block-level teams are located close to our intervention villages. Further information regarding WaterAid India can be found online: https://www.wateraid.org/in/
Project Overview:
The project is designed to address chronic water scarcity, declining spring discharge, and seasonal water stress in selected villages of Dindori and Anuppur districts, Madhya Pradesh. These regions, largely inhabited by tribal communities, are highly dependent on spring-based and local water sources, which are increasingly becoming unreliable due to the degradation of recharge zones, deforestation, erratic rainfall, and inadequate water resource management practices.
The project adopts a spring-shed management approach, focusing on treating the entire catchment and recharge area of springs rather than just the source. It combines scientific assessments (spring mapping, discharge measurement, GIS-based analysis) with nature-based solutions such as recharge structures, catchment treatment, and protection of water sources.
In addition, the project emphasises strengthening community-led institutions (VWSCs/WUCs) to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of water systems. It also integrates water quality monitoring, behaviour-change communication, and capacity building to improve safe water use and long-term sustainability.
By bringing together hydrological science, ecosystem restoration, infrastructure strengthening, and community participation, the project aims to create a sustainable, climate-resilient water security model that can be replicated in similar geographies.
The project is being implemented across 20 villages in two districts—10 villages in Dindori and 10 in Anuppur—to benefit approximately 3,000 households.
Project Objectives:
- To improve spring discharge and sustainability through recharge and catchment management
- To enhance access to safe and adequate drinking water for households
- To strengthen community institutions (VWSC/WUC) for effective water governance and O&M
- To promote community awareness and behaviour change on water conservation and management
- To enable evidence-based planning through scientific assessment and data systems
- Key Outcomes:
- Improved health of the aquatic ecosystem and riverine environment in the Narmada basin.
- Increased spring discharge and enhanced water quality through targeted recharge and conservation interventions.
- Improved access to sustainable and safe drinking water for tribal and rural communities through effective spring-shed management.
- Strengthened local governance mechanisms for the management of spring-sheds.
- Enhanced capacities of communities and government institutions for sustainable, climate-resilient water resource management.
- Development of replicable and scalable models, with key learnings documented and disseminated for adoption in similar geographies and contexts.
Eligibility Criteria for Agency / Consultant
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in baseline studies, evaluations, or research in water, natural resource management, or rural development and experience on spring shed mapping and GIS mapping will be preferred criteria
- Proven experience in at least 2–3 similar assignments, preferably in rural or tribal areas.
- Expertise in mixed-method research, including household surveys, FGDs/PRA, water assessment, and basic GIS mapping.
- Should have experience in spring-shed mapping and GIS-based spatial mapping.
- Capability in digital data collection tools (ODK, Kobo, SurveyCTO, etc.).
- Availability of a qualified team with experience in field data collection, supervision, and analysis.
- Strong systems for data quality, analysis, reporting, and ethical standards.
Terms and Conditions:
The Proposal must be on the company letter head with date, signature and company seal. (It is to be signed by the authorized person).
Proposals must be submitted to Procurement Email ID:
The work shall be completed on or before 31 May 2026.
Payment shall be released based on the actual work completed and verified.
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.