Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.
Answer:
In the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, where water is scarce, traditional rainwater harvesting techniques play a vital role in ensuring water availability. People have developed various indigenous methods to collect and store rainwater for drinking and agriculture.
- Khadins – These are earthen embankments built across fields to capture rainwater, allowing it to percolate into the soil and recharge groundwater.
- Johads – Small, crescent-shaped ponds that store rainwater and help increase groundwater levels.
- Baoris & Stepwells – Deep, stone-built wells used for storing water for long-term use.
- Tankas – Underground tanks built near houses to store rainwater from rooftops.
Even today, rooftop rainwater harvesting is widely practiced in urban and rural Rajasthan to meet water needs despite the Indira Gandhi Canal.