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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Simple ways to achieve water sufficiency
Rainwater harvesting is the easiest way to address the growing water scarcity that we are facing. Read on to find out what you can do at your home, office or apartment community. Posted on 27 May, 2014 09:18 PM

Fresh water found on land has only two primary sources - melting of ice, and rain. Harvesting rain is crucial for sustaining both the surface and sub-soil water sources.

Recharge well constructed in Chennai
Use clean coal, NGT tells Mahagenco
Policy matters this week Posted on 27 May, 2014 01:02 PM

NGT tells Mahagenco to use clean coal

Fly ash pollution (Source: The Hindu)
Small steps to win the big battle against water scarcity
Communities across India have created many initiatives to tackle water scarcity. While costing lesser than govt programmes, these measures have also created a bigger local impact. Posted on 11 May, 2014 09:29 PM

The recent World Water Development Report by the United Nations has projected that India's demand for water is likely to surpass availability by 2050.

Every drop counts (Vinoth Chandar via Flickr)
Punjab wades in troubled waters
During the Green Revolution, Punjab became the biggest contributor to India's food basket but at a cost-groundwater decline. Can its farmers figure out a way to stem this and boost productivity? Posted on 03 May, 2014 12:23 AM

Many great civilisations have thrived near rivers with people moving in search of water across swathes of lands. The same holds true for present day Punjab, especially its farmers.

Groundwater is falling by 1 metre every year
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Rainwater Harvesting (RWH)
Here is a simple guide to help understand rainwater harvesting better Posted on 23 Apr, 2014 12:53 AM

This simple guide lists out the most popular questions related to rainwater harvesting to help understand this important topic better.

Please click on a topic to view more detailed information.

Roof RWH system at Patkhori High School in Mewat
More power, but no water security to MP and Gujarat
News this week: Upcoming elections pose risk to water security of MP and Gujarat; No action taken by MoEF against illegal Garudeshwar dam in Gujarat; Karur's farmers to exercise NOTA. Posted on 22 Apr, 2014 11:10 PM

More power, but no water security to MP and Gujarat, observes SANDRP

Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat (Source: Wikimedia)
South Sikkim adapts to climate change
Climate change is causing heavy, brief rain spells in many parts of the world. Rain-shadowed South Sikkim is bearing the brunt of it in Northeast India. The video shows how the people are adapting. Posted on 02 Apr, 2014 12:11 AM

Climate change poses a threat to all. Be it forests, water or agriculture- it affects everything. India's Northeast, particularly, has witnessed a great deal of this impact. Sikkim, the physical bridge between the Northeast and mainland India, is also bearing the brunt of climate change in a myriad ways with agriculture and water bearing the most pronounced repercussions.

Climate change affects agriculture
Abolish manual scavenging: SC
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Abolish manual scavenging: SC

A manual scavenger in Chennai (Namathu Blogspot)
A picture paints a thousand words? So do comics!
Local jokes, dialogues and narratives from issues of community quarrels over water tanks to rainwater harvesting came alive in a Grassroots Comics workshop in Sikkim to mark World Water Day. Posted on 31 Mar, 2014 10:31 PM

As a run up to World Water Day 2014, India Water Portal conducted a Grassroots Comics workshop with Field Facilitators, Barefoot Engineers and other field workers of the Dhara Vikas Programme.

Catch water when it falls
Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling are simple steps to achieve water sufficiency. India Water Portal along with local partners spread this message in Chennai on World Water Day. Posted on 31 Mar, 2014 10:24 PM

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A temple tank in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
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