Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a simple method by which rainfall is collected for future usage. The collected rainwater may be stored, utilised in different ways or directly used for recharge purposes. With depleting groundwater levels and fluctuating climate conditions, RWH can go a long way to help mitigate these effects. Capturing the rainwater can help recharge local aquifers, reduce urban flooding and most importantly ensure water availability in water-scarce zones. Though the term seems to have picked up greater visibility in the last few years, it was, and is even today, a traditional practice followed in rural India. Some ancient rainwater harvesting methods followed in India include madakas, ahar pynes, surangas, taankas and many more.

This water conservation method can be easily practiced in individual homes, apartments, parks, offices and temples too, across the world. Farmers have recharged their dry borewells, created water banks in drought areas, greened their farms, increased sustainability of their water resources and even created a river. Technical know how for the rooftop RWH with direct storage can be availed for better implementation. RWH An effective method in water scarce times, it is also an easily doable practice. Practical advice is available in books written by Indukanth Ragade & Shree Padre, talks by Anupam Mishra and other easy to follow fun ways

Read our FAQ on Rainwater Harvesting and have many basic questions answered.

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Featured Articles
September 21, 2022 The unique design and functioning of the Chakla bavdi in Chanderi Madhya Pradesh is another example of the water wisdom of our ancestors, which needs to be conserved and passed on to the future generations.
Chakla Bavdi at Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (Image Source: Shirole, S. 2022. Architectural eloquence: Water harvesting structure in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (India). Ancient Asia, 13: 9, pp. 1–13)
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July 11, 2022 The Chauka system of Rajasthan can not only provide a sustainable way to manage water resources in water stressed regions, but also support livelihoods through development of pastures.
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Van Panchayat Samiti discussing the matters related to forest (Image: Varun Raja)
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Charkhari talab in Bundelkhand (Image: IWP Flickr)
Local water storage in the Hindu Kush Himalayas
How can the massive quantities of rain falling during the four-month monsoon period be stored so that it can be used over the entire year in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region? Posted on 07 Sep, 2015 10:11 PM

The Hindu Kush Himalayan region (HKH) is the source of 10 major rivers and is often referred to as the water tower of Asia. However, communities living in this region and downstream face frequent seasonal water scarcity and flooding due to high variations in rainfall.

Kuhls carry glacial melt to fields for irrigation (Source: India Water Portal)
Kaun kitne paani mein: Movie review
A Hindi film set in a water starved locale in Odisha asks, "Can water be bartered for love?" Posted on 28 Aug, 2015 06:45 PM

Kitna shaant hai ye paani, aur iske liye yeh rajniti’ (the water is so still, yet there is politics around it).

Water scarcity becomes a source of conflict between two villages (Source: Facebook)
Okhla Bird Sanctuary takes a backseat to real estate development in Noida
Policy matters this week Posted on 24 Aug, 2015 09:20 PM

Centre approves bringing down protected zone around Okhla Bird Sanctuary from 10 km to 1

Okhla Bird Sanctuary (Source: Amit Pratap via Wikipedia)
Water and the Missile Man
What did the late president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's think about water conservation, interlinking of rivers and the future of a world without water? Read on. Posted on 28 Jul, 2015 01:32 PM

Dr. Kalam is no more but he lives on in the hearts of many through his quotes, beliefs, speeches and his acclaimed book India 2020: A Vision for the New Millenium among many others. 

The late APJ Abdul Kalam at the International Book Fair, Trivandrum, 2014
Do not rush through with TSR committee's proposals on green laws: Parliamentary Panel
Policy matters this week Posted on 28 Jul, 2015 08:55 AM

Panel suggests that the Govt not rush through with changes in green laws

Ufrenkhal forest that gives water to Gad Ganga
Do not allow dam projects affecting environmental flows of rivers: Water Ministry to CWC
Policy matters this week Posted on 07 Jul, 2015 10:33 PM

Water Ministry restricts permission to dam projects hindering e-flow of rivers

Ganga river at Kaudiyala
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Can MGNREGA come to the rescue of rainfed agriculture?
With water harvesting, conservation, drought proofing & renovation of traditional water bodies as core activities, MGNREGA has the potential to improve rainfed agriculture in India. Posted on 30 Jun, 2015 10:29 PM

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which continues to be the largest public employment program involving Rs.34,600 crore in a period of just five years since its implementation, was enacted on August 25, 2005 and renamed as the

The future of rainfed agriculture in India
Who's to blame for Shimla's water shortage?
It isn't just the tourists or its hilly terrain but a 140-year-old leaking water distribution system set up by the British in 1875 which is leading to heavy losses and contamination. Posted on 30 Jun, 2015 09:03 AM

Most tourists visiting Shimla won’t know that they are walking on a water tank when they wait to get their pictures taken or go horse riding on Ridge road but they will know that the city faces water shortage -- their hotel bathrooms have messages asking them to use water judiciously. 

The Ridge houses Shimla's first underground water tank
No relief to Yamuna even after reduced sewage flows in Delhi
News this week Posted on 02 Jun, 2015 01:20 AM

Yamuna pollution stays the same, despite a drop in sewage flow

Garbage piled high near the Yamuna river
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