Traditional Wisdom in Water Harvesting: A Comparative Review of Ahar Pynes and Tank Systems in India

Title

Traditional Wisdom in Water Harvesting: A Comparative Review of Ahar Pynes and Tank Systems in India

Creator

Kollarath, Reshmi Manikoth; Anand, Anay

Description

The Indian subcontinent has historically relied on rainwater harvesting for agricultural and domestic water purposes. Traditional water management practices were crucial in the development of settlements and growth of villages and towns in Ancient India. Numerous indigenous water management practices have evolved across the diverse geography of this region to capture rain and manage surface water runoff. These systems have sustained the agrarian economy over centuries by contributing to irrigation and water security. This research paper focuses on two diverse water management systems in two geographically distinct areas in India. The Ahar Pyne system is practiced in the flood prone alluvial plains of Bihar, while the Tank system of irrigation is prevalent in the arid Deccan region. Both these systems were managed by the local communities living in their vicinity. These systems promote flood mitigation and drought resilience. These systems have become increasingly neglected in the recent years with development and advent of piped water supply. As the world grapples with problems escalated by climate change and the ensuing issue of water scarcity, there is an increasing interest in traditional systems and how they can be adapted to current needs. The comparative study of these two systems accentuates the adaptability of indigenous water management practices in different climatic and topographic conditions. The study also underlines the significance of integrating these traditional systems into the current water management processes. The paper also highlights the relevance of these systems in the current scenario and the need for revival and sustainable management of these systems towards building a resilient future. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

Source

Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements;Volume;Part F1088;pp.229-247

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

Springer

Subject

Community resilience; Drought resilience; Flood management; Sustainable water management; Traditional knowledge systems

Coverage

Kollarath R.M., School of Architecture, CHRIST Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, India; Anand A., School of Architecture, CHRIST Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 21982546;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Book chapter

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-9760-1_11

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020920369?origin=resultslist