Blog
Team Social Xleration, 4th July 2023
With its indispensability in almost all facets of human existence, water occupies a central place in human life. Water conservation practices are a very old concept in India. Archeologists have found evidence of water conservation in the form of reservoirs as far back as the Indus Valley civilization. Each region in India typically employs distinct approaches for conserving and accumulating water. In the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, there are many such water harvesting systems. These are also prevalent in the region of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. This piece captures such systems in the states of the western Himalayan region.
Uttarakhand
A water harvesting system found predominantly in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is ‘Naula’, which is a natural water aquifer. It is essentially a tank made of stones that collects flowing water from nearby springs and streams. Resembling a temple and considered sacred, its small entrance prevents animals from entering, thus promoting hygiene and sanitation. These tanks are also covered on three sides, leaving the fourth side open with steps leading to the aquifer. The tanks were built in a clever way, with layers of steps designed to deepen and narrow the tank, to prevent evaporation of water. Unfortunately, they are not constructed anymore due to a lack of construction skills, a sense of ownership, and the advent of piped water. Some people still use them to source drinking water. However, today, they are mostly visited as a cool summer spot.
Another notable structure found in the region is called ‘Dhara’. These freshwater springs are the primary source of water for household consumption and irrigation in many areas. Dharas are usually located where the sloping ground meets the groundwater table. These structures tap into unconfined aquifers to provide access to water. The water flows through carved outlets and is easily accessible to villagers, as they are typically built in the center of a village. It has been reported that in a few places, these structures have been revived owing to their high utility.
Water resource management in the Kumaon area includes a noteworthy technique called “Guls,” which are channels that transport water from nearby rivers and streams to the terraced agricultural fields. These channels are constructed along the contour of the slope and are used for irrigation, providing drinking water, and powering water mills. Outlets can be seen along the length of the Gul, leading to smaller channels called Hawarr. One can control the flow of water by placing a boulder on the outlet. The excess water flows onto the lower terraces at the lower end of the field, eventually draining back into the stream.
“Khals” are another mechanism, which are large depressions situated in mountainous areas that collect rainwater for harvesting. Khals are generally situated atop ridges in the lower portion between two peaks. To collect rainwater, people sometimes dig small ponds. Khals hold water reserves that can be employed for irrigation during dry spells.
Himachal Pradesh
Kuhls are traditional irrigation systems found in Himachal Pradesh that divert water from naturally flowing streams called Khuds using surface channels. Typically, a community Kuhl serves six to 30 farmers, irrigating up to 20 ha of farmland. The village community built and maintained the Kuhls, which are comprised of a temporary headwall made of river boulders across a Khud to store and divert water through a canal to the fields. The water flows from one field to another, with any leftover water returning to the Khud. At the onset of the irrigation season, Kohli, the water tender, acting as a local engineer, organized the irrigators to construct and repair the headwall and make the system operational. Kohli also took care of water management and its distribution.
Khatris, which are traditional water harvesting structures found in the Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh, are constructed from stone for durability. These structures are approximately 10 by 12 feet long and are six feet deep. Khatris have two categories – one for collecting rainwater from the roof through pipes for animal and washing purposes, and the other for human consumption, where rainwater trickles through the rocks. It’s interesting to note that individuals and communities can own Khatris, and the panchayat is responsible for maintaining government-owned Khatris.
Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
Zing refers to a method of collecting water from melting glaciers, with small tanks used for this purpose. This system is prevalent in the Jammu & Kashmir region and Ladakh, where the collected water can be utilized in other seasons. To ensure the fair allocation of water, a water official known as the Churpun is responsible.
Our forefathers recognized the significance of preserving water and implemented conservation systems. This calls for a combined and pragmatic strategy that incorporates local communities. Regular cleaning and maintenance, checking for leakages, checking pollution, and drawing annual service contracts are important facets of this strategy. It’s important to utilize our rich traditional knowledge and expertise to preserve this precious resource.
References:
https://www.euttarakhand.com/naula-the-traditional-water-harvesting-system-of-uttarakhand
https://connectingheritage.com/article&news/articles/uttarakhand
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/tranhimreg_tradi.htm
https://greencleanguide.com/ancient-water-conservation-methods-in-india/
https://tntribune.com/women-revive-traditional-water-sources-in-uttarakhand/