Traditional Water Conservation Systems In The State Of Rajasthan

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Traditional Water Conservation Systems in the State of Rajasthan

In popular imagination, Rajasthan is a land of chivalry and rugged forts set against the backdrop of a desert landscape, with camels traversing unending sand dunes. The majesty of the forts at Chittor, Udaipur, Mehrangarh, Kumbhalgarh or Ranthambore to name a few is such that it draws people from far and near.

But there is another equally heroic tale woven around architectural marvels that testify to the collective ecological wisdom that once energised the region. While doing my PhD research on understanding human negotiations with semi-arid and arid environments of Rajasthan during medieval times, I discovered that the land of forts was equally a land of man-made water bodies, exemplifying a culture of valuing each drop of precious water.

On one hand are Rajasthan’s massive man-made lakes like the Raj Sammand, Bal Sammand, Pichhola, Amar Sagar and Garsisar, some perennial and some seasonal. On the other hand, the state boasts of a variety of smaller forms of water architecture such as baories, tankas and joharas which were the immediate lifelines of communitiesTogether, these diverse man-made water bodies represent the ingenuity of traditional water harvesting systems in an arid and semi-arid landscape that have formed the basis of Rajasthan’s richly diverse cultural heritage.

With the coming of piped water supply and tube wells, most of these forms of water architecture have fallen prey to neglect. But if the creeping water crisis across the country and the world is any indication, it is time to learn anew from examples of local genius that were devised in the face of scarcity.

Much of the region is located in an area geographically known as the little Indian desert, separated from the Ganga-Yamuna doab by the Aravalli range of Mountains. The Aravallis form a topographic barrier that deprives this region of the bounties of water-laden Monsoon Winds. Factors such as scant and occasional rainfall, absence of perennial rivers combined with brackish ground water, made rain-water harvesting imperative for communities living in the area, as elsewhere in the state. But the Shekhawati region faced an added complication. Its sandy Soil, unlike loamy soil, drained quickly owing to its porous nature. Hence, storing water in any depression or pit over a length of time was made more difficult.

Kund

kund or kundi look like an upturned cup nestling in a saucer. These structures harvest rainwater for drinking, and dot the sandier tracts of the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan and some areas in Gujarat. Essentially, a circular underground well, kunds have a saucer-shaped catchment area (called Agor) that gently slopes towards the centre where the well is situated.

A wire mesh across water-inlets prevents debris from falling into the well-pit. The sides of the wellpit are covered with (disinfectant) lime and ash. Most pits have a dome-shaped cover, or at least a lid, to protect the water. If needed, water can be drawn out with a bucket. The depth and diameter of kunds depend on their use (drinking, or domestic water requirements). These are owned by people with Money to invest and land in which to construct them. For the poor, large public kunds were built.

Kuis / Beris

Kuis are found in western Rajasthan, these are 10- to 12-m-deep pits dug near tanks to collect the seepage. Kuis can also be used to harvest rainwater in areas with meagre rainfall. The mouth of the pit is usually made very narrow. This prevents Evaporation of the collected water. The pit gets wider as it burrows under the ground, so that water can seep in into a large surface area. The openings of these entirely kuchcha (earthen) structures are generally covered with planks of wood, or put under lock and key. The water is used sparingly as a last resort in crisis situations.

Baoris

Baoris or Bers are community wells, found in Rajasthan, that are used mainly for drinking purposes. Most of them are very old and were built by banjara (mobile trading communities) for their drinking water needs. They can hold water for a long time because of almost negligible water evaporation.

Jhalara

Jhalra is a local name given to step wells. Jhalaras were human-made tanks, found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, essentially meant for community use and for religious rites. Often rectangular in design, jhalaras have steps on three or four sides. Jhalars are groundwater bodies which are built to ensure easy and regular supply of water to the surrounding areas. The jhalaras collect subterranean seepage of a talab or lake located upstream. The water from these jhalaras was not used for drinking, but only for community bathing and religious rites. Jhodhpur city has eight jhalaras, two of which are inside the town and six are found outside the city. The oldest jhalara is the Mahamandir Jhalara, which dates back to 1660 AD.

Nadi

A Nadi or dug-out village pond is the oldest and still the most prevalent storage structure for rainwater harvesting from an adjoining natural catchment during the rainy season. The site was selected by the villagers based on available natural catchments and its water yield potential. The water stored in a nadi is generally used for drinking by Livestock and human beings. A nadi also acts as a source of groundwater recharge through seepage and deep percolation. It is estimated that the recharge from a nadi covering 2.25 ha and having a storage capacity of 15 000 m3 in an alluvial area may induce a groundwater recharge of 10 000 m3 in one rainy season. The location of the nadi had a strong bearing on its storage capacity due to the related catchment and runoff characteristics.

Tanka

The Tanka (underground cistern) is another major source of drinking water in western Rajasthan. It is constructed in a circular or rectangular shape, normally on bare ground where surface runoff can be diverted to the tanka by creating a clean catchment around it. A traditional tanka constructed with lime plaster and thatched with bushes has a life span of 3–4 years. In this way, the people of Bikaner were able to meet their water requirements.

Johad

A johad is a traditional water harvesting structure. Johads are small earthen check Dams that capture and conserve rainwater, improving percolation and groundwater recharge, constructed by people using their own skills, Resources and indigenous knowledge; these have revolutionized life in rural Alwar, Rajasthan. These have helped the farming communities from abject POVERTY to prosperity, a miraculous transformation under the Leadership of Tarun Bharat Sangh and its leader Rajendra Singh, the Water Man of Rajasthan.

The johads are simple, usually semi-circular, mud barriers built across the hill slopes to arrest the monsoon runoff. They are built across a slope to arrest rainwater; bound on three sides by the natural slopes of hills. The fourth side, a mud wall usually semi-circular in form holds back the monsoon runoff. The height of the embankment varies from one johad to another, depending on the site, water flow, contours, etc. In some cases, to ease the water pressure, a masonry structure is also added for the outlet of excess water. The water storage area varies from 2 ha to 100 ha. The optimal storage created was 1000–1500 m3 per hectare of cultivated area. The cost of the storage created varied from Indian Rupee 0.2 to Rs.1.50/m3 , with an Average of Rs.0.95/m3 . The villagers shared the cost, supplied labour and materials like stone, sand and lime, which were locally available and contributed 70–90% of the total cost. The distinctiveness of these structures lay in their low cost, simple design, easy construction and maintenance.

These indigenously designed structures stood the test of time and the ravages of heavy rainfall. The water collected in a johad during the monsoon is directly used for Irrigation, drinking, livestock and other domestic purposes, and penetrates into the sub-soil. This recharges the groundwater and improves the soil moisture in vast areas. Also, during the dry season when the water gradually recedes in the johad, the land inside the johad itself becomes available for cultivation.

 

 


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Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India. It is the largest state in India by area, covering 342,239 square kilometers (132,139 sq mi). The state is sparsely populated, with a Population of 68,636,184 as of 2011. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur.

Rajasthan is a desert state, and water is a scarce resource. The state has a long history of water conservation, and there are many traditional water conservation systems in use. These systems include baoris, johads, kunds, tankas, taalabs, ahars, bandhs, dhiras, naals, paniharis, panipats, panitanks, paniyaris, raans, sarovars, tanks, vads, and veers.

Baoris are stepwells that are found in many parts of Rajasthan. They are a traditional way of storing water, and they are also used as a place to cool off in the hot weather. Johads are small dams that are built across streams. They help to collect rainwater and store it for later use. Kunds are small, underground tanks that are used to store water. Tankas are small, open tanks that are used to store water. Taalaabs are large, artificial lakes that are used for irrigation and drinking water. Ahars are small canals that are used to carry water from rivers and streams to fields. Bandhs are large dams that are built across rivers. Dhiras are small, natural depressions in the ground that collect rainwater. Naals are small canals that are used to carry water from one place to another. Paniharis are small, hand-operated pumps that are used to lift water from wells. Panipats are large, open tanks that are used to store water for drinking and irrigation. Panitanks are small, underground tanks that are used to store water. Paniyaris are small, natural springs that provide water for drinking and irrigation. Raans are large, salt flats that are found in the Thar Desert. Sarovars are large, artificial lakes that are used for irrigation and drinking water. Tanks are large, artificial reservoirs that are used for irrigation and drinking water. Vads are small, natural reservoirs that are found in the Aravalli Hills. Veers are small, natural springs that provide water for drinking and irrigation.

These traditional water conservation systems have played an important role in the history of Rajasthan. They have helped to provide water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. They have also helped to reduce the risk of floods and droughts.

However, these traditional water conservation systems are under threat. The population of Rajasthan is growing rapidly, and there is increasing demand for water. This is leading to the overuse of these systems, and they are becoming increasingly degraded.

There is a need to conserve these traditional water conservation systems. They are a valuable part of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan, and they play an important role in the Environment. There are a number of things that can be done to conserve these systems, including:

These traditional water conservation systems are a valuable resource, and they need to be protected. They play an important role in the history, culture, and environment of Rajasthan.

What are traditional water conservation systems?

Traditional water conservation systems are methods that have been used for centuries to collect, store, and distribute water. They are often simple and low-tech, but they can be very effective in areas with limited Water Resources.

What are some examples of traditional water conservation systems?

There are many different types of traditional water conservation systems, but some common examples include:

How do traditional water conservation systems work?

Traditional water conservation systems work in a variety of ways, but they all share the common goal of collecting, storing, and distributing water in an efficient and sustainable manner. Some systems, such as tankas and johads, collect rainwater and store it for later use. Others, such as baolis and kunds, access groundwater. Still others, such as check dams and bunds, slow down runoff and prevent erosion.

What are the benefits of traditional water conservation systems?

There are many benefits to using traditional water conservation systems. These systems can help to:

What are the challenges of traditional water conservation systems?

There are a few challenges associated with traditional water conservation systems. These systems can be:

What is the future of traditional water conservation systems?

Despite the challenges, traditional water conservation systems still have a role to play in the future. These systems can be an important part of a sustainable water management strategy. With proper planning and maintenance, traditional water conservation systems can help to ensure that everyone has access to safe and reliable water.

  1. Which of the following is not a traditional water conservation system in Rajasthan?
    (A) Johads
    (B) Baoris
    (C) Tanks
    (D) Wells

  2. Which of the following is the most common traditional water conservation system in Rajasthan?
    (A) Johads
    (B) Baoris
    (C) Tanks
    (D) Wells

  3. Johads are made by
    (A) Building a bund across a watercourse
    (B) Digging a well
    (C) Building a tank
    (D) None of the above

  4. Baoris are
    (A) Stepwells
    (B) Tanks
    (C) Wells
    (D) None of the above

  5. Tanks are
    (A) Artificial lakes
    (B) Stepwells
    (C) Wells
    (D) None of the above

  6. Wells are
    (A) Holes dug in the ground to reach groundwater
    (B) Stepwells
    (C) Tanks
    (D) None of the above

  7. Traditional water conservation systems are important because they
    (A) Help to store water during the monsoon season
    (B) Provide a source of water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes
    (C) Help to reduce soil erosion
    (D) All of the above

  8. Traditional water conservation systems are threatened by
    (A) Deforestation
    (B) Overgrazing
    (C) Overpopulation
    (D) All of the above

  9. What can be done to protect traditional water conservation systems?
    (A) Plant trees
    (B) Reduce grazing
    (C) Reduce population Growth
    (D) All of the above

  10. What are the benefits of protecting traditional water conservation systems?
    (A) They help to store water during the monsoon season
    (B) They provide a source of water for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes
    (C) They help to reduce soil erosion
    (D) All of the above

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