TRADITIONAL WATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS
India being a tropical country management of water was crucial for sustenance. Over time our ancestors developed elaborate methods for sustainably harnessing water during monsoons and storing it to serve the needs of the community during the remaining months of the year. Termed as ‘traditional water harvesting systems’ – technologies that have evolved locally and have traditionally addressed the water demands of drinking, bating, washing, irrigation etc. were well understood by the community and their maintenance, upkeep and control of activities around them was part of the lifestyle of the area. In many places annual desilting of waterbodies was a festival during which the community collectively contributed to cleaning with festivities such as dance, jatras, music etc. was planned around the activity.
Every region based on its physiography had its own traditional water harvesting systems that reflected the unique geography and culture of the area. Bamboo pipes and Apatani systems of eastern Himalayas; Ghul (water harvesting system) of western Himalayas; Kund (tank or small reservoir), Khadin (system for surface runoff water for agriculture), Talabs (ponds), Johad (rainwater storage tank), and Baoli (reservoir) of the Thar desert and Gujarat; ahar-pynes (traditional floodwater harvesting system) of Bihar – to name a few.
These traditional structures not only captured and stored rainwater, but aided afforestation, reduced soil erosion and helped to recharge groundwater. Depending on the population, region, they were located within buildings or within a neighbourhood, in close proximity to communities, or outside the settlement to recharge the aquifers. However, accessibility was assured and its size or water holding capacity and number was worked out on the basis of demand, mostly annual.
The Prime Minister of India has launched a new initiative named Mission Amrit Sarovar on 24th April 2022, with a view to conserve water for the future. The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The status of identification, Commencement and completion of works are being monitored continuously and updated at https://water.ncog.gov.in/AmritSarovar/
07th June 2022 ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar - Jal Dharohar Sanrakshan’ was launched by AICTE jointly with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GoI providing internship opportunities to higher education students of areas such as Urban Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, Engineering, and Fine Arts. AICTE had allocated one water bodies to various institutues to carry out the study, research & analysis of local water body and an approach to restore them. This has initiated community involvement and connect with local waterbodies. Peoples involvement is crucial for restoring, maintaining and sustaining waterbodies and thereby reducing water stress.
References
· https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1824518
· https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/rejuvenating-traditional-water-system-maharashtra
· ttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/reviving-traditional-water-harvesting-systems-can-unlock-6000-crore-litres-of-water/article27699648.ece
· https://water.ncog.gov.in/AmritSarovar/login
· https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/traditional-water-systems-hold-the-key-to-indias-water-crisis/2337010
· financialexpress.com
· https://rural.nic.in/en/events/mission-aimed-developing-and-rejuvenating-75-water-bodies-each-district-country-part