Present study was conducted to explore various behavioural dimensions of rural communities towards traditional water harvesting and groundwater recharge system of Johads (Earthen Ponds) in an area known as Chaugawa in Western Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is reported that about four to five decades back, Chaugawa used to be a seepage prone area due to very high water table ,however, the situation is not the same now as people have to bore their tube wells and hand pumps as deep as about 80 feet. Present study establishes the links of depleted water table with current status of Johads. Since, they are common property, perception and attitude of the villagers towards them and motivation for their conservation was studied as these behavioural dimensions play a key role in management of any common property. An analysis of three components of attitude, i.e., cognitive (knowledge and awareness), Conative (actual initiative or action) and affective (emotional concern) towards restoration, conservation and management of Johads was made. A step wise strategy to motivate rural communities for recapturing the potential of Johads for raising the water table was suggested.