Main Article Content

Abstract

Rain water harvesting is the process of collection and storage of rain for various purposes. Rainwater harvesting continues to be the main source of water supply for potable and non-potable uses.  Located in a hot and semi-arid region with water scarcity, the National Innovation Foundation - India (NIF) identified a need to conserve water for office use. Building upon the expertise and experience of Lok Mitra Trust in this field, NIF got built traditional, but unique type of rain water harvesting tanks also known as “Matka tank” at its headquarters in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The unique features of the tank are its hemispherical shaped upper dome and saucer shaped bottom surface, which is being reported for the first time.The Matka tank for rain water harvesting may be considered as a sustainable technique to mitigate the water scarcity in the context of climate change.  

Keywords

Climate Change Matka Tank Rainwater harvesting Water conservation practices Water scarcity

Article Details

How to Cite
Patel, M., Pant, V., Sikligar, H., Quadri, S., Bachar, N., & Maurya, N. (2023). Harnessing conventional wisdom for rain water harvesting to mitigate the risks of climate change. Environment Conservation Journal, 24(1), 157–162. https://doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.11412295

References

  1. Bhattacharya, S. (2015). Traditional water harvesting structures and sustainable water management in India: A socio-hydrological review. International Letters of Natural Sciences, 37, 30-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/ILNS.37.30
  2. Borthakur, S. (2009). Traditional rain water harvesting techniques and its applicability. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8(4), 525-530.
  3. Goel M.K. (2011) Runoff Coefficient. In: Singh V.P., Singh P., Haritashya U.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2642-2_456
  4. Harvesting, D. R. (2001). Recommendation for designing rainwater harvesting system tank. Development Technology Unit School of Engineering, University of Warwick.
  5. Kumar, M. K. (2015). Design of rainwater harvesting system at Shilpa Hostel in JNTUA College of Engineering Ananthapuramu: A case study from Southern India. International Journal of Engineering Research and Development, 11(12), 19-29.
  6. Lema, F., Kirub, A., & Baslyos, E. (2009). Underground Water Harvesting Structure: Technical Manual. Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Abeba.
  7. Mati, B.M. (2012). Best Practices for Rainwater Harvesting from Open Surfaces with Storage in Structures. Training Manual 2. NBI/NELSAP - Regional Agricultural and Trade Programme (RATP), Bujumbura, Burundi.
  8. Niti Aayog (2018). Composite Water Management Index: a tool for water management. Retrieved on May 5, 2021 from http://www.niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document_publication/2018-05-18-Water-index-Report_vS6B.pdf
  9. Pala, G. K., Pathivada, A. P., Velugoti, S. J. H., Yerramsetti, C., & Veeranki, S. (2021). Rainwater harvesting-A review on conservation, creation & cost-effectiveness. Materials Today: Proceedings. Retrieved on May 5, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348902597_Rainwater_harvesting_-_A_review_on_conservation_creation_cost-effectiveness DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.11.593
  10. Patil A.N. (2019). Rain water harvesting, conservation and management strategies for drought – prone Tehsils of Jalgaon district Maharashtra state, India: Urban and rural sector, International Journal of Development Research, 9(8), 29125-29127.
  11. Pradhan, R., & Sahoo, J. (2019). Smart Rainwater Management: New Technologies and Innovation in Smart Urban Development. Intech Open. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86336
  12. Verma, R. K. (2014). Ground Water Brochure Gandhinagar district Gujarat. BROCHURE, Ahmedabad: Government of India Central Ground Water Board West Central Region.