Question

Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.

Answer 1

The answer is given as follows,

• In Rajasthan, to store drinking water, ‘Rooftop rainwater harvesting’ was commonly practised.
• Rain fed storage structures were created in agricultural fields. It allowed water to stand thereby moistening the soil – Johads in different parts of Rajasthan, and Khadins in Jaisalmer.
• For storing drinking water, all the houses had tankas or underground tanks in Balmer, Phalodi, Bikaner regions of Rajasthan.
• The size of tankas would be as large as a big room.
• The Rooftop rainwater harvesting system had tankas which were built inside the courtyard or main house.
• Through a pipe they were connected to the sloping roofs of the house.
• These underground tankas are used to store rainwater, which falls on the roof and flows down through pipes.
• Due to the perennial Rajasthan Canal, rooftop rainwater harvesting is on decline.