Question

Discuss water harvesting structure Kuhls in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer 1

Water harvesting:

Water harvesting is the process of collecting and storing stormwater. The efficient water collection structure helps to increase the efficiency of water utilization and secure the water supply.

Water harvesting structures Kuhls in Himachal Pradesh are:

1. In Himachal Pradesh, Kuhls are a traditional irrigation method that uses surface channels to redirect water from naturally running streams (khuds).
2. A typical communal Kuhl irrigates a $20-$hectare area for six to thirty farmers.
3. The method consists of a temporary headwall (typically made of river rocks) across a khud (ravine) for flow storage and diversion to the fields via a canal.
4. By today's standards, constructing Kuhls was a simple task, requiring only boulders and labor.
5. Moghas (kuchcha outlets) were installed in the Kuhl to collect water and irrigate neighboring terraced crops.
6. The water would flow from field to field, with any excess water draining back to the khud.