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
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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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A first of its kind academic program offering a multi-disciplinary perspective on water with a special focus on policy and practical solutions.
Posted on 08 May, 2018 03:59 PM

Entering its second year, the Graduate Program of Water Science and Policy 2018 at Shiv Nadar University envisages a multi-disciplinary classroom, engagement and content delivered by some of the best minds globally – experts on water who have worked on ground realities, made policies and initiated change.

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Anicut on the Mahanadi basin at Rajim-Nawapara (Source: India Water Portal)
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Environmentalists fear new CRZ rules will favour infrastructure over coastal ecosystems

Coastal areas might be opened up for ecotourism and infrastructure development.
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KSPCB says Cauvery water can be used for drinking after conventional treatment

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Citizen Matters looks at what the city should do to manage its water better. Posted on 05 Apr, 2018 03:20 PM

A recent BBC report projected that Bengaluru will run out of water soon.

Image courtesy bwssb.org
TN approaches SC over Cauvery Management Board
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Tamil Nadu seeks contempt action against the Centre for not constituting the Cauvery Management Board

Cauvery Management Board yet to be constituted by the Centre. (Picture courtesy: NDTV)
Seeds of discontent
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Uttarakhand bans quarrying in Ganga, its tributaries
Policy matters this week Posted on 06 Mar, 2018 12:14 PM

Uttarakhand bans quarrying in the Ganga and its tributaries post NGT order

The state government plans to ban quarrying in the Ganga. (Picture courtesy: Hindustan Times)
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Manhole-cleaning robot Bandicoot successfully completes trial run in Thiruvananthapuram

Team behind Bandicoot. (Picture courtesy: Scroll)
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