Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a simple method by which rainfall is collected for future usage. The collected rainwater may be stored, utilised in different ways or directly used for recharge purposes. With depleting groundwater levels and fluctuating climate conditions, RWH can go a long way to help mitigate these effects. Capturing the rainwater can help recharge local aquifers, reduce urban flooding and most importantly ensure water availability in water-scarce zones. Though the term seems to have picked up greater visibility in the last few years, it was, and is even today, a traditional practice followed in rural India. Some ancient rainwater harvesting methods followed in India include madakas, ahar pynes, surangas, taankas and many more.

This water conservation method can be easily practiced in individual homes, apartments, parks, offices and temples too, across the world. Farmers have recharged their dry borewells, created water banks in drought areas, greened their farms, increased sustainability of their water resources and even created a river. Technical know how for the rooftop RWH with direct storage can be availed for better implementation. RWH An effective method in water scarce times, it is also an easily doable practice. Practical advice is available in books written by Indukanth Ragade & Shree Padre, talks by Anupam Mishra and other easy to follow fun ways

Read our FAQ on Rainwater Harvesting and have many basic questions answered.

Featured Articles
September 21, 2022 The unique design and functioning of the Chakla bavdi in Chanderi Madhya Pradesh is another example of the water wisdom of our ancestors, which needs to be conserved and passed on to the future generations.
Chakla Bavdi at Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (Image Source: Shirole, S. 2022. Architectural eloquence: Water harvesting structure in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (India). Ancient Asia, 13: 9, pp. 1–13)
July 14, 2022 The river is faced with the dual problem of flood plain encroachment and growing levels of water pollution
Illegal transverse check dams (Badhals) built on Ichamati near a village in Basirhat (Image: Prithviraj Nath @ TheWaterChronicles)
July 11, 2022 The Chauka system of Rajasthan can not only provide a sustainable way to manage water resources in water stressed regions, but also support livelihoods through development of pastures.
Can greening of barren lands happen? (Image Source: India Water Portal Flickr photos)
March 21, 2022 Recognizing women's accumulated knowledge and adaptive capacities in springshed management
Van Panchayat Samiti discussing the matters related to forest (Image: Varun Raja)
November 9, 2021 Building resilient agricultural system through groundwater management interventions in degraded landscapes of Bundelkhand region
Charkhari talab in Bundelkhand (Image: IWP Flickr)
July 23, 2021 Improper location, poor operation and maintenance of water harvesting and recharge structures threaten water security in Yavatmal
A study assesses the current status of the water harvesting and recharge structures in Yavatmal (Image: India Water Portal Flickr)
Towards self-reliance and access to safe drinking water and secure sanitation in north Bihar: A report by Megh Pyne Abhiyan
This report talks of the successes and challenges in fulfilling the endeavour of moving towards self reliance and access to safe drinking water and securing sanitation in north Bihar, the areas of concern and shortcomings, and acknowledges the missing links to find the way forward. Posted on 27 Jan, 2013 11:48 AM


Water: Towards a paradigm shift in the Twelfth Plan - A paper by Mihir Shah in the EPW
In this paper Dr Mihir Shah speaks on the need for this change, the process followed, the main features of this proposed change and the way forward from here. Posted on 22 Jan, 2013 10:37 AM

A fundamental change in the principles, approach and strategies of water management in India has been proposed in the Twelfth Plan

Why is this paradigm shift needed ?

Udupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management - Roundup of the week’s news (January 14 -20, 2013)
A roundup of the week's news ranging from mining in Meghalaya to using landfill to construct railway platforms Posted on 21 Jan, 2013 03:20 PM

Udupi in Karnataka, sets standard for water management

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and National Remote Sensing Centre release groundwater prospects maps for 14 states of India
Groundwater is our main source of water for domestic, agriculture and industrial use today and through base flows, it also maintains the flow in many of our rivers Posted on 17 Jan, 2013 05:29 PM

It is therefore crucial that we look after this resource and ensure that it is managed properly.Over reliance on groundwater for both domestic and commercial purposes has led to over-exploitation and contamination of groundwater. In order to make groundwater sustainable, there is a need to understand the aquifer characteristics as well as its overall geological setting.

‘Lets catch the rain’: A fun way to learn about water harvesting
An innovative and fun way to learn more on saving rainwater Posted on 16 Jan, 2013 02:11 PM


Lets catch the rain

 

District-wise data on groundwater resources and its utilization in Andhra Pradesh for the year 2007-08 - A compilation by the Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department and the Central Groundwater Board
A compilation by Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department & Central Groundwater Board gives details of volumetric data on the groundwater resources and its uses for the year 2007-08. Posted on 13 Jan, 2013 10:53 PM

The data is categorised into watershed wise (basin-wise) annual availability of groundwater, current draft (utilisation), allocation for domestic and industrial needs, availability for future use (or the balance) and categorisation based on stage of development and rigorous statistical treatment of water levels.

Transformation of a landscape from a desert to replenished watershed in Kaluchi Thakarwadi, Maharashtra- Special edition on "Combating desertification" by Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) India
The sprawling economic development and constant consumption of land resources in an unsustainable manner has come with a big price- degradation of land. The major causes for this can be attributed to industrial pollution, over grazing by animals, deforestation and careless management of forests and it rich and diverse resources and excessive mining. The impact is severe on ecologically fragile and dryland areas which often drives small farmers out from agriculture. Posted on 08 Jan, 2013 09:21 PM


A community comes together to revive lakes and ponds in Valni village, Nagpur, Maharashtra
This story demonstrates how one person through his persistence and dedication can make a huge difference in solving water issues at a village level. A visit to Valni village with Yogesh Aneja ji shows us how local villagers have revived a lake that has transformed the village and helped in solving the long term water scarcity problems of the village, and improved the situation of farmers through increase in production. Posted on 02 Jan, 2013 06:58 PM

Revived lake in Valni

The 200 old revived lake in Valni village, Nagpur

‘Water conflicts: Quest for creative solutions’ : Video of the conversation between Anupam Mishra, Ramaswamy Iyer, Vivek Bharti and Rohini Nilekani
This event was an interactive conversation on water based conflicts, a platform for the participants to share their varied experiences and explore solutions that were sustainable .The members in this talk were Ramaswamy Iyer of Centre for Policy Research, Vivek Bharti of Pepsi Co and Anupam Mishra of Gandhi Peace Foundation, with Rohini Nilekani, Arghyam acting as the moderator Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 12:51 PM

District-wise data on groundwater resources and its utilization in Andhra Pradesh for the year 2004-05 - A compilation by the Andhra Pradesh State Groundwater Department and the Central Groundwater Board
A compilation of volumetric data on the groundwater resources & its uses for Andhra Pradesh with specific details of the resource in villages that come under 22 districts of the state. Posted on 31 Dec, 2012 12:00 AM

The data is categorised into watershed wise (basin-wise) annual availability of groundwater, current draft (utilisation), allocation for domestic and industrial needs, availability for future use (or the balance) and categorisation based on stage of development and rigorous statistical treatment of water levels.

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