Water Harvesting: A Valuable Need at Present

 The term Water Harvesting generally refers to the collection and storing of rainstorm in order to store water for future purposes. Rain water harvesting is a type of water harvesting in which directly we store the rain water for the future use instead of allowing them to run off. Don’t let water run away, let it run to the earth again. The harvested water can be used for many purposes such as longer term storage, groundwater recharge, irrigation facilities, domestic use etc. Let’s know more about Water harvesting in detail and how water harvesting is a valuable need at present:-

                                                                                                                                                    

What are the techniques of water harvesting?

              In India, generally three types of water harvesting techniques are practiced as described below:-

 

1.       Inter-row water harvesting – This technique is practiced in arid areas where annual rainfall is less than 750mm. This system is also called as ‘roaded catchments’, it is the best technique to apply on flat lands. Triangular cross sectional bunds are constructed along the main slope of the land. The height of bunds are ranges from 40 to 100 cm, built at distances, runoff flowing down the slope is collected between the ridges and either directed to a reservoir at the end of a feed canal or to a crop cultivated between the ridges.

 

 

2.       Inter – plot or Micro plot water harvesting - Water is harvested in the passages or furrows between the plots when rainfall is rather more. In this case runoff from the sloping area supplements rainfall for growing crops on level land.

 

 

 

3.       Water harvesting in farm pond & reservoirs - Farm ponds are small tanks or reservoirs constructed for the purpose of storing water essentially from surface runoff. Farm ponds are helpful for life saving irrigation, water supply for the cattle, fish production etc. It is usually of 3 ft. depth with width and length varying depending upon the farmer’s land and catchment water potential in his field.

What is the Need for Water Harvesting?

Water is the reason why life exists; we cannot even predict our life without water. But due to excessive increase in the population, burden on water supply and global warming our freshwater sources are becoming scare and if this continues then one day world will run out of fresh water. So, to overcome or protect us to be in such a situation water harvesting is not only an important step but an essential one as well as per present time. This is a sustainable process that helps in preserving rainwater for future purposes so that the stored water can be consumed later on for many purposes.

 

Rapid Industrialization and disposing of chemical waste into water bodies leads to polluting the rivers and lakes. The supply of fresh water cannot be increased or altered. Hence, an alternative method was introduced to overcome the problem and that is water harvesting. From this, we can infer that water harvesting is a valuable need.

 

              Tamil Nadu was the very first state to make rainwater harvesting compulsory for every building to prevent groundwater depletion. The project was launched in 2001 and has been implemented in all the rural areas of the Tamil Nadu. And surprisingly it gave excellent results in the next five years and slowly every state took this step as a role model. Chennai had a 50% rise in water level and the water quality significantly improved.

 

What is the Importance of Water Harvesting?

 

•  It is an ideal solution for farmers who are constantly depended on water for their crop production.
  
• Unavailability of clean water compels the consumption of polluted water, giving rise to many water borne diseases.
• It can be used as a backup for the main water supply especially during dry seasons.
•  It is also an ideal solution for the regions having inconsistent rainfall.

What are the advantages of Water Harvesting?

 

• It helps in recharging ground water level.
• It helps to prevent flooding due to excessive rain.
• Water harvested can be used for irrigational purposes.
•  It is very helpful to prevent the situation of drought.

 

What are the disadvantages of Water Harvesting?

 

• Setting up a water harvesting system has a much high initial cost.
• Rainwater harvesting system needs a regular maintenance.

 

Initiatives taken by the government for Water Harvesting

 

              In the May 2022 Mann Ki Baat Edition Our Honourable Prime Minster Shri. Narendra Modi Ji spoke about water harvesting and urged the residents of our nation to take their valuable step at a major concern ‘Water Harvesting’ and made our nation realise that water harvesting is a valuable need at present.

              Our PM’s directive was to build 75 pits in all districts before monsoon is a great and highly commendable idea. Delhi Government’s decision to ready 1500 rainwater harvesting pits to recharge groundwater levels in Delhi is again a highly praiseworthy decision.

              Our PM further said "पानीयं परमं लोके जीवानां जीवनं समृतम्। आर्थत संसार में जल ही हर जीव के, जीवन का आधार है और जल ही सबसे बड़ा संसाधन भी है ।" His words really inspired us in many ways to take a step ahead and work for our upcoming generation. He tried his best to make the nation understand that water harvesting is a valuable need and we all should come ahead and work for this major cause hand in hand.

Our Government of India also started a mission Jal Jeevan Mission in which it is decided to provide safe and adequate water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households.

              In the same way I had observed that many NGOs and RWAs are voluntarily working on this project and definitely their step will give future generation a better world. They are also motivating the youth generation of our world to come forward and work for our nation.

              I hereby pledge to give my full support and will wholeheartedly contribute to the Water Harvesting Campaign. I plea to all the readers as well to step ahead and give their precious contribution towards the nature and let’s pledge that we all together will save our Mother Land and will make people understand that water harvesting is a valuable need and it can only be controlled by taking a front seat.

 

 

Life depends on Water and Water Harvesting depends on you….

Be a first mover and let world follow you….