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.
Can greening of barren lands happen? (Image Source: India Water Portal Flickr photos)
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Van Panchayat Samiti discussing the matters related to forest (Image: Varun Raja)
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Highlights from the 10-year water policy research programme of the International Water Management Institute and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust discussed at the IWMI - TATA Annual Partners' Meet at Anand, between 28-30 November, 2012
IWMI -Tata water policy research programme aims to draw upon research carried out throughout the country to identify solutions for India's water stress and present these as policy recommendations Posted on 05 Dec, 2012 02:06 PM

IWMI-Tata water policy research programme is a collaborative initiative between the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT). 

Lakholaav pond lives on: A perfect example of community initiative and cooperation to keep an urban waterbody alive
In the times when tapped water supply is considered an absolute sign of development, the traditional water harvesting systems are losing their age-old relevance. This is why the Lakholaav pond in Rajasthan assumes greater significance. Located at Marwar Mundwa town in Nagaur district, Lakholaav is an exception. As ponds in other towns have shrunk due to encroachments and dumping of garbage, Lakholaav is providing drinking water to the town the whole year round. Citizens as well as the municipal committee take utmost care ensuring cleanliness and efficient management. Posted on 04 Dec, 2012 12:38 PM

“According to a folk tale, the pond was developed by Lakha Banjara, a nomad trader whose tribe used to stay put in the area on its way to bigger cities.

Water for cities - Responding to the urban challenge – Technical papers from the Third National Groundwater Congress by CGWB
The third national Groundwater Congress was organized by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) at New Delhi on March 22-23, 2011 with the view to bring together administrators, groundwater professionals, representatives from industries, non government organizations and water users to share their knowledge and experiences and to discuss various issues concerning water management. Posted on 01 Dec, 2012 08:59 AM

Deliberations in the Congress organized by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) at New Delhi on March 22-23, 2011 focused on various issues viz., Integrated Water Resource Management, Artificial Recharge to Groundwater, Water Use

MoWR stresses the need to provide momentum to our conservation efforts on water conservation day
Amita Bhaduri provides the details of a consultation organized by the National Water Development Agency, Ministry of Water Resources at CSMRS auditorium, New Delhi on 'Water Conservation Day' Posted on 23 Nov, 2012 02:12 PM

The Union Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) celebrated “Water Conservation Day" on the 19th of November 2012 to create awareness regarding depleting water resources and underlined its vision and commitment to be an active contributor to the sustainability of this very important natural resource. The field offices of various organizations under the administrative c

National conference by IRRAD and UNICEF on women-led water management: Strategies towards water sustainability in rural India
A National Conference on Women-led Water Management was organised during November 5-6, 2012, in Haryana, India and focused on strategies towards water sustainability in rural India Posted on 22 Nov, 2012 05:07 PM

The Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) and UNICEF India hosted this  National Conference on Women-led Water Management .

Wisdom in every drop: ‘In search of water’, a documentary film on reviving of the traditional water harvesting system in the Thar Desert
This film provides an inspiring example of the efforts made by a community in the Thar desert to revive traditional water harvesting systems and take care of their water needs Posted on 22 Nov, 2012 12:22 PM

Veiled women walk unimaginable distances. Long queues. Dark sun and innumerable pots lined up, yearning to be filled. Hours of wait and half a pot of saline water was all they had.

Harvesting and using roof-top rainwater - Part 1
This article provides the details of how the roof top rainwater harvesting system can be implemented at home Posted on 18 Nov, 2012 10:37 PM

Why rainwater harvesting ?

Zen and the art of wise water management: Rainwater Club's youtube channel crosses 1 million views !
Chicu Lokgariwar from the India Water Portal introduces us to the rainwater harvesting and ecological sanitation evangelist that is zenrainman Posted on 15 Nov, 2012 02:24 PM

Those readers who got the insider joke in the title need no introduction to the rainwater harvesting and ecological sanitation evangelist that is zenrainman.

Department of drinking water and sanitation, Government of Jharkhand invites EOI from experienced consultants to prepare an action plan for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge
Posted on 28 Oct, 2012 08:18 PM

Govt of Jharkhand

About the EoI

The Department of drinking water and sanitation, Government of Jharkhand, invites Expression of Interest (Request for Proposal) from single/ joint venture/consortium of organizations for providing consultancy for preparation of the feasibility report, developing master plan and extend implementation support for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge for the following districts of Jharkhand:
1. Ranchi
2. East Singhbhum
3. Saraikela- Kharsawan
4. Dhandad
5. Bokaro
6. Palamu
7. Godda
8. Sahibganj
9. Garhwa
10. Pakur

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