Question

Answer the following question in detail.

Explain the traditional methods of rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan.

Answer 1

The Traditional sources of water in Rajasthan include Nadi, tanka, Bandha, Sagar, Samund, and Sarovar.
The large public wells Known as kohar, Baori, Saagar were owned by the community.

1. Lakes/Talaab: In Rajasthan traditionally, a maximum conversation of water is in the form of lakes. A reservoir area of less than five bighas is called a talai; a medium-sized lake is called a bandhi or talab; a bigger lake is called Sagar or samand.

2. Bawari: In Rajasthan, step-wells are locally known as Bawari and jhalara. These are sweet water aquifers getting a regular recharge through rainwater.

3. Naadi and Pokhara: One of the oldest and still prevalent storage for rainwater harvesting is naadi or dug-out village pond or tank (Pokhara). Naadi construction is more prevalent in western Rajasthan.

4. Tanka: The tanka is circular or rectangular shape pond with a life span of 3-4 years, normally on bare ground to which surface runoff can be diverted. The area around it is a clean catchment.

5. Khadeen: It was first developed in the 15th century in the Jaisalmer district, Khadeen is a most multi-purpose method of water conservation. In the immediate vicinity downstream the sub-surface water is extracted through bore wells.