Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Water and Sanitation | This centuries-old system in Tamil Nadu can teach India how to save water again -Sanket Bhale

This centuries-old system in Tamil Nadu can teach India how to save water again -Sanket Bhale

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Mar 21, 2021   modified Modified on Mar 22, 2021

-ThePrint.in

From Tamil Nadu to Rajasthan, India has several indigenous water systems that have worked for centuries. As water runs out, we need to return to nature-based solutions.

A 13th century stone edict, found inside the Perur Patteeswarar temple near Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore, describes the creation of a nearby lake and lays down rules for a water-sharing arrangement between upstream and downstream regions along the Noyyal river. Starting as early as 8th century, the Chola kings and farmers in the region masterfully developed an interconnected system of Anaicuts  (check dams), canals and natural and manmade lakes to ensure that the river water was managed efficiently. The system mimicked the natural rhythms of the seasonal river flows and was built keeping in mind the contours of the land. Unfortunately, this traditional nature-based solution fell into disuse as the region rapidly urbanised and water management of the area changed hands.

Across India, there are similar traditional water management systems that provide invaluable ecosystem services to us. The East Kolkata Wetland complex, spread over 12,500 hectares, treats almost all of Kolkata city’s sewage and supports livelihood for 20,000 families through agriculture and fisheries. Water diversion from Ajan bund in Rajasthan, created in the 17thcentury by Maharaja Suraj Mal into a natural depression in the land, is today the famous UNESCO world heritage site of Keoladeo (Bharatpur) national park. The Yeri (earthen bund) system of agricultural water management, seen across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, has been enabling cultivation in dry plains for at least a millennium.

These nature-based solutions designed and built by our ancestors are under unprecedented threat today. As our focus shifts to heavy infrastructure like dams, barrages and river interlinking, such traditional, low cost and environmentally friendly solutions seem to be falling out of favour.

India is already in the middle of a massive water crisis – groundwater is not only running out, but the existing water bodies are also losing the capability to revive themselves.

These older systems suffer from negligence, encroachment and poor maintenance.  Increased urbanisation and agricultural intensification are piling tremendous pressure on the services they provide.

Please click here to read more.


ThePrint.in, 21 March, 2021, https://theprint.in/opinion/this-centuries-old-system-in-tamil-nadu-can-teach-india-how-to-save-water-again/624887/?fbclid=IwAR0DkiWKOtC9kbBhpjrKWNdQHXMMX44VHM46h4de3mqNmKuPW1BJL77uA_g


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close