Rainwater Harvesting

Rain Water Harvesting Methods

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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Discover innovative rainwater harvesting techniques and methods to conserve water. Learn about various rain water harvesting practices, benefits, and implementation strategies. Visit India Water Portal for expert guidance.
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rain water harvesting methods
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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Water management traditions in the central-western Himalayas : a study by People's Science Institute
The study reviews a variety of water harvesting structures that have evolved over the millennia in central western Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Posted on 22 May, 2009 03:53 PM

The report highlights how traditionally, local communities exercised rights of ownership, use and management over their natural resources in the Himalayan states. They devised a variety of management systems suited to their own specific situation. Sanskar (precepts and rites), sanskriti (culture and customary practices) and niti (state policy and administration) were the bases of water harvesting traditions and their longevity. Individual dharma and social customs were the necessary conditions for sustaining these traditions, while local autonomy in resource management was the critical sufficient condition.

Karnataka tank project for restoration of tanks: a slideshow from World Bank
A slideshow from the World Bank on the Karnataka tank project for restoration of tanks Posted on 22 May, 2009 03:02 PM

Most of India's rural poor live in rain-fed areas where agricultural productivity is low. In Karnataka-one of India's driest states-the World Bank is helping to revive centuries-old tank systems to improve farm productivity and raise incomes. Read More

Call for articles from UNESCO
Posted on 22 May, 2009 01:31 AM

Forwarded to the Portal by: B. R. Neupane, UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) invites you to send in articles of up to three pages (about 1200 words) on traditional water harvesting structures, that link water resources management with local culture. It will select a maximum of 6 of these articles for publication in the magazine Power of Creativity, a high-quality photo-based magazine. The magazine was launched in November 2007 to promote Indian culture, creativity, and innovation in the context of sustainable development. It is a joint publication of UNESCO and the Archeological Society of India. The target audience is urban middle class Indians and the objective to make them aware of the fact that their traditions are compatible with modern, style conscious lifestyles. Power of Creativity has a print run of 5,000 copies that are circulated to the government, embassies, consulates, the tourism sector, and the corporate sector. UNESCO will acknowledge and credit the author(s). Each article must be accompanied by photographs, preferably digital, high-resolution photos and can be sent by email to b.neupane@unesco.org or nitya.jacob@un.org.in by 31 May 2009.

A model for rainwater harvesting in Karnataka - the Melukote system- an article from Waternama
The article presents communities effort to harvest rainwater in Mandya district, Karnataka Posted on 21 May, 2009 03:00 PM

A model for rainwater harvesting- the Melukote system

“Oru Oorula Oru Oorani”: a movie highlighting the problems and solutions for drinking water in drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu
The villagers came together to revive ooranis and found an enduring solution to water problems in drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu Posted on 18 May, 2009 03:44 PM

The film highlights the problems and solutions for drinking water in drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu. Ooranis are village ponds that were engineered several centuries ago to harvest rainwater. 

Time: 14mins

Every drop counts: channeling rainwater and surface water to recharge groundwater- a video
Recharge groundwater by channeling rainwater and surface water through open wells Posted on 18 May, 2009 01:26 PM

'Every Drop Counts' shows how to channel rainwater and surface water to recharge groundwater via open wells. Tankas (underwater tanks) are an excellent solution to tackle water scarcity and conserve our ground water.

Courtesy- Barefoot College, Time- 11:30 minutes

Swadhyayee movement captures running away rainwater in Saurashtra
Extraction of groundwater coupled with severe drought led to a reactive response in people of Saurashtra to divert rainwater into their wells in a bid to "capture" water which was "running off" Posted on 14 May, 2009 03:07 PM

Saurashtra is the peripheral region along Coastal Gujarat. It is composed of a Central basaltic plateau that rises 100 to 200m above mean sea level with an average annual rainfall of about 600 mm. The rainfall is concentrated in a few days during which the incident rainfall leads to flashfloods draining into the sea.

Harvesting water harnessing life: A case study of Kotla village in Mewat, Rajasthan
A case study of good watershed interventions by the Sehgal Foundation that has helped improve the water situation in Kotla village in Mewat, Rajasthan Posted on 14 May, 2009 01:31 PM

HARVESTING WATER HARNESSING LIFE
A Case Study of Kotla Village in Mewat

MEWAT: STATISTICS AT A GLANCE

People Meo Tribals
Geographical Location Foothills of Aravalis
Average rainfall 336mm-500mm
Occupation of villagers  
a) Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
b) Others
58%
42%
Cultivated area 80%
Irrigated area 44%
Source of water for irrigation Ground water- 95%
Water Quality Mostly brackish
Ground water depletion rate Over 25cms a year

Short movies on urban water management, watershed development, groundwater, water body restoration and agriculture in India
View short films on urban water management, watershed development, groundwater, water body restoration and agriculture in India on Youtube Posted on 12 May, 2009 01:37 PM

Short films about the management of urban water in India click here

Short movies on "watershed development" click here

Case studies on urban water management and rainwater harvesting from India and across the world
Resources for best practices on urban water management from across the world and domestic rainwater harvesting Posted on 11 May, 2009 04:31 PM

Best practices on urban water management from across the world

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