Water Harvesting System Essay

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Traditional Water Harvesting Systems in India: Water resource, though renewable, but is a finite resource and hence limited. Rapid population growth, urbanization and industrialization has exerted pressure on the quantity and quality of both surface and ground water. Agriculture in most parts of the country still depends on the rainfall. Failure of monsoon, thus have serious implications on the economy. Adopting sustainable, effective water conservation measures is one of the key aspects to cope up with the acute water scarcity. As already mentioned that floods and droughts were regular occurrence in ancient India and hence every region has its own water harvesting system that is peculiar with reference to the geographical and socio-cultural features of that region. Water harvesting systems are practiced in India since time immemorial. The history of water management systems goes back to the ancient period. Koutilya was the first economist of the world to define water as an economic commodity too (3rd century B.C). Koutilya was of firm opinion that agriculture could not be dependent solely on the gambling nature of rainfall but on the man-made (irrigation) water. He also advocated the need of people’s participation in water management. Dams were built of stone rubble in 3rd millennium B.C. in Baluchistan and Kutch. During 3000-1500 B.C., the Indus- Sarasvati civilization had several reservoirs to collect rain water. Sringaverapura near Allahabad showed evidences of sophisticated water harvesting system using floodwaters of the Ganges during 1st century B.C .Karikala Chola in 2nd century A.D. built Grand …show more content…

Trans-Himalayan Region Zing Tanks for collecting water from melted ice Ladakh
2. Western Himalayas Kul Water channels in mountain areas Jammu, Himachal Pradesh Naula Small ponds Uttaranchal Kuhl Headwall across a ravine to divert water from a natural stream for irrigation Himachal

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