This is the story of western Rajasthan. The monsoon that arrived in Rajasthan in 2023 put an end to the drought that had been going on for years in Rajasthan to some extent. Normally there is 218 mm rainfall here but in 2023 there was 588.9 mm rainfall, i.e. more than two and a half times. In such a situation, the local people used all the traditional methods of rainwater harvesting, and the result is that in many villages drinking water became available for one to one and a half years, while in many villages water was also available for other crops in the year. Favorable circumstances arose.
The districts of western Rajasthan generally experience drought. But this time the rains of May and June broke the records of the last hundred years of these districts. And the villagers turned this havoc of rain into an opportunity instead of a disaster.
Generally, after so much rain, a scene of flood is created in the plains, but in the desert, as soon as the water falls, the dry land absorbs it. Same thing would have happened in this situation also but the people of these villages living in the Aravalli hills diverted this water towards traditionally built ponds, nadis and beri.
Generally, at least six types of water harvesting sources are constructed in western Rajasthan to harvest rain water. Like Ota, Bairi, Diggi, Nadi, Field Pond, Anicut, Tanka etc. The structure of Anicut is quite interesting. In this area, ponds are made in several levels to stop the water coming from the hills. This is called anicut. There are total 4 Anicuts in Bar village of Beawar district. Due to excessive rainfall, for the first time, 3 anicuts have been completely filled, while water is coming slowly in the fourth one. The water capacity of one anicut is 0.5 crore litres. As a result of accumulation of water in the anicut, 1,345 wells built in the fields of the village have been recharged. 45 feet of water has come in 60 feet deep wells.
While due to this water, the problems of farming and drinking water have been relieved for some time, women living in rural areas have also got relief to some extent. Migration also stopped in some villages of the district because work was available in the village itself and there was a possibility of better income.
Experts say that a major reason for monsoon winds not stopping in Rajasthan is the tampering with the Aravalli hills. At present, a total of 12 katans (gaps) have emerged in Aravali. These cuts are not just one or two kilometers long but 10 to 12 kilometers long. These erosions have created unfavorable conditions for rain. But according to the Meteorological Department, in 2023, Rajasthan received such heavy rainfall due to prolonged western disturbances and anti-cyclonic circulation.
Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi. We publish news and analysis on issues that deal with sustainable development, which we scan through the eyes of science and environment.
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Western Rajasthan and its water crisis
2:43 Traditional Water Harvesting Systems
5:07 What is Anicut
6:35 Impacts of Rain Water Harvesting