Ancient techniques for rainwater harvesting
Talab/ Bandhis
Talabs were reservoirs. They could be natural, such as the ponds (pokhariyan) at Tikamgarh in the Bundelkhand region or could be man-made, such as the lakes in Udaipur. A reservoir area of less than five bighas was called a talai; a medium sized lake was called a bandhi or talab; bigger lakes were called sagar or samand. The pokhariyan served the purpose of irrigation and drinking. When the water in these reservoirs dried up, the pond beds were used for cultivation.
Talabs were reservoirs. They could be natural, such as the ponds (pokhariyan) at Tikamgarh in the Bundelkhand region or could be man-made, such as the lakes in Udaipur. A reservoir area of less than five bighas was called a talai; a medium sized lake was called a bandhi or talab; bigger lakes were called sagar or samand. The pokhariyan served the purpose of irrigation and drinking. When the water in these reservoirs dried up, the pond beds were used for cultivation.
Johads Johads,
in Rajasthan, were small earthen check dams built to capture
and conserve rainwater, thus improving percolation and
recharging ground water
Baoris / Bers
Baoris or bers were community wells, found in Rajasthan, that were used mainly for drinking. Most of them are very old and were built by banjaras for their drinking water needs. They could hold water for a long time because of almost negligible water evaporation.
Baoris or bers were community wells, found in Rajasthan, that were used mainly for drinking. Most of them are very old and were built by banjaras for their drinking water needs. They could hold water for a long time because of almost negligible water evaporation.
Jhalaras
Jhalaras were man-made tanks, found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, essentially meant for community use and for religious rites but not for drinking. Often rectangular in shape, jhalaras have steps on three or four sides. They were ground water bodies which were built to ensure easy and regular supply of water to the surrounding areas.
Jhalaras were man-made tanks, found in Rajasthan and Gujarat, essentially meant for community use and for religious rites but not for drinking. Often rectangular in shape, jhalaras have steps on three or four sides. They were ground water bodies which were built to ensure easy and regular supply of water to the surrounding areas.
Water Temples or ‘Step Wells’
Another most unique example for harvesting rainwater and providing water for drinking purpose in arid parts of our country was the step well.
Another most unique example for harvesting rainwater and providing water for drinking purpose in arid parts of our country was the step well.
Step wells are also called water temples of
India. The idea to construct step wells was initiated due to
the need to ensure water supply during the period of drought.
Some of the step wells were dug very close to tanks to get
drinking water throughout the year.
Step wells are also called Vav, Vavadi, Bawdi, Bawri,
Baoli, and Bavadi and can be found in Gujarat and
Rajasthan.
Adalaj-Vav is a very popular step-well i.e.
about 20 kms from Ahmdabad. It is made in the form of a temple
that ends into a well. The well is about six storeys below ground
level. Picture 6 illustrates the depth of the well. Agrasen ki baoli is one of them which situates in Delhi.
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