Traditional Wise water solutions of Rajasthan.

[Chanakya Bohra]

In Khara village of jodhpur dirlstrict one can find a mesmerizing landscape covered in desert flora and you can see chinkara running around, trees full of peacocks and abosdes of people from the well known bishnoi community. On a work trip I had the chance to meet with the villagers, they were warm and welcoming but the highlight was the community rain water fed pond. The place as shown in the attached picture is serene and heavenly. The best part is that the pond is fulfilling the drinling water need of the community. In Rajasthan, such structutes were used to address the water demands, by collective effort, for centuries but due to ignorance these commons are depleting across the state. To see the community keeping such an important tradition alive is keeping the promise of commons alive.

[Nayantara]

This is amazing! Is this the main source throughout the year?

[Chanakya Bohra]

Yes, it is the main source of drinking water for the village!! Due to presence of clay the water does not percolate and a vast catchment collects enough water to meet the community’s needs even with low rainfall trends.

[Khanjan]

Beautiful! The trees around the pond are so huge!!!
How does the community manage the pond? Are there any rules/norms for its governance?

[Chanakya Bohra]

Yes, the community has some informal rules for the management of the pond. Firstly, its considerd sacred and the cleanliness of the site is maintained strictly. The locals are taught to respect the sanctity of the place from their childhood are any tourist found littering at the place is fined by the local panchayat.

[Sanjeev]

The reliance on clay’s impermeability for water collection is ingenious. https://ssoidportal.org/ It highlights the community’s resourcefulness in adapting to environmental challenges for sustainable water access.

[Author]

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