📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kumar gyan prakash
Agriculture
Tulshi Village in Maharashtra Listed for Sale Amid Severe Drought
✍️ India Today
🗓 01 Oct 2026, 02:02 AM
👁 11
Facing an acute water shortage, authorities have put Tulshi village in Maharashtra up for sale as the drought worsens.
Maharashtra is grappling with one of its worst droughts in recent years, with reservoirs at historic lows and farmers reporting crop failures across the region. The village of Tulshi, located in a water‑scarce belt of the state, has become emblematic of the crisis as its wells have run dry and residents struggle to meet basic needs.
In response, local officials announced that Tulshi will be placed on the market, hoping that private investment can fund the construction of new water infrastructure and revive the settlement. The move, described by authorities as a pragmatic step to attract resources, involves offering the entire village land parcel for purchase under a special scheme.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some view it as a necessary measure to break the impasse, community leaders and NGOs warn that selling the village could displace families and overlook longer‑term solutions such as rainwater harvesting and watershed management. Experts stress that any sale must be coupled with concrete commitments to restore water supply and protect residents' rights.
State government agencies have already announced additional drought‑relief packages, including cash assistance and the drilling of emergency borewells, but implementation has been uneven. The Tulshi sale underscores the urgency of finding sustainable water solutions before more villages face similar fates.
In response, local officials announced that Tulshi will be placed on the market, hoping that private investment can fund the construction of new water infrastructure and revive the settlement. The move, described by authorities as a pragmatic step to attract resources, involves offering the entire village land parcel for purchase under a special scheme.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some view it as a necessary measure to break the impasse, community leaders and NGOs warn that selling the village could displace families and overlook longer‑term solutions such as rainwater harvesting and watershed management. Experts stress that any sale must be coupled with concrete commitments to restore water supply and protect residents' rights.
State government agencies have already announced additional drought‑relief packages, including cash assistance and the drilling of emergency borewells, but implementation has been uneven. The Tulshi sale underscores the urgency of finding sustainable water solutions before more villages face similar fates.