Value Erosion
Most of our needs in the present day can be easily fulfilled. When something is easily accessible, we tend to undervalue it. Take water, for example. While 70 percent of the earth is covered with water, only 3 percent of it is fresh, and just 1 percent is drinkable, with the rest locked in ice caps, glaciers, and groundwater. Many people today seem apathetic to these issues and have lost their appreciation and knowledge of the value of water.
India’s Rich Tradition of Water Management
India’s history is steeped in a rich tradition of water management. Our ancestors skilfully designed and maintained a variety of water structures that have stood the test of time. However, in the present day, India is grappling with water scarcity in numerous regions, and struggling to effectively address our water-related challenges. These traditional water systems are diverse, and shaped by the unique geographical and cultural knowledge of India’s various regions. For example, in the Thar desert area and Gujarat, Khadins, Talabs, Kunds, Johads, Baolis, and Beris are utilized, while in Bihar, Ahar-Pynes are prevalent. In the western Himalayas, the Gul system is utilized, and in the eastern Himalayas, Bamboo Pipes and Apatani systems are employed. Despite these traditional water systems, it’s important to ponder whether we are making optimal use of them and according to them the significance they deserve. Our forefathers ensured that water was accessible to all, recognizing its vital role in daily life. They constructed these water systems not just for human use, but also to support flora and fauna. Regrettably, due to a lack of maintenance and awareness, these water structures have deteriorated over time. Consequently, we risk losing not only the valuable water management practices passed down by our elders but also many of the cultural values intertwined with them.
The connection between people and water in areas facing water scarcity, such as Jaisalmer, remains sacred. Santosh Puri, a great saintly person, made a significant impact on his village, Narsingh Ki Dhani, by addressing the water scarcity issue. He transformed the hilly area by creating numerous water retention sources, including seven tanks, a water channel, a drainage system, ponds, step-wells, and gardens. That place became a haven for various creatures and animals. The pond in the middle of the hilly area has seven tiers and a wall around the central tank, resembling a garden. The water path from the pond has been carefully constructed to serve as a drain, extending southwest to the stepwell and garden. The local people continue the legacy of Santosh Puri, maintaining cleanliness and sharing knowledge on water use and conservation.
The impressive structures mentioned here have motivated us to work towards restoring their former glory. One way to achieve this is by empowering communities to take control of their water future through the creation of water management groups and strategies. Water management is a critical issue threatened by climate change, urbanization, and population growth. Inattention to these factors has led to a loss of control over water management at every level, making it increasingly challenging to maintain a proper urban water system. Anand Malligavad, also known as India’s Lake Man, has presented an exceptional solution for reviving lakes in Bangalore and other states. He is a true example of providing effective water management strategies and solutions to the community. With the help of locals and dedicated organizations, he has successfully revived water bodies on a limited budget, as detailed in his book ‘A Life with Lakes’.
Urban water systems integration
One Water, or Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), is a water management strategy that takes an integrated approach to planning and managing stormwater, wastewater, and the supply of water. In order to optimize social and economic gains while reducing environmental effects, integrated water resource management (IWRM) emphasizes the water cycle and encourages the coordinated development and management of land, water, and related resources as one, interconnected system. There are four major central components of water resource management, which include stormwater treatment for properly utilizing the use of runoff precipitation in a way that can make people more aware of rainwater harvesting and its importance in their daily lifestyle. It can provide nature-based infrastructure to our urban lives. Yet another of the primary challenges is wastewater treatment. A byproduct of residential, commercial, and industrial use is wastewater. It should be planned in a way that helps in the reduction of water pollutants and the spreading of less waterborne diseases. Water supply refers to the surface water and groundwater that give an understanding of the future use for various purposes, and conservation of existing water sources is one of the major strategic approaches that address indoor and outdoor water usage. With this, we would be able to provide a longer life for our traditional systems by providing useful modern solutions for people.
Reference List:
Tiwari P. (2021), Traditional water systems hold the key to India’s water crisis, Forbes
https://www.forbesindia.com/blog/environment-and-sustainability/traditional-water-systems-hold-the-key-to-indias-water-crisis/ [Accessed 07.08.24]
Traditional water systems: The Architecture of Well Being, Beforest
https://beforest.co/blogs/traditional-water-systems-the-architecture-of-well-being/ [Accessed 11.08.24]
Lakes restored by Malligavad Foundation, Malligavad Foundation
https://www.malligavadfoundation.org/lakes-restored [Accessed 14.08.24]
