RAIN WATER HARVESTING : Rajasthan:

Thursday,9th October 2008


Earlier the Rulers of Rajasthan were committed in conservation of natural resources through indigenous traditions and practices.
JOHADS were built across a slope to catch rainwater .
JOHADS were earthen check dams -- built to conserve water ,which led to increase in the groundwater level.
JOHADS had high banks on three sides & the fourth side was left open for the rainwater to come into.
& The KUND.
A KUND’s shape is like an overturned cup positioned on a saucer..
A KUND was designed for the sandy Thar desert of western Rajasthan to harvest and gather ....rain water for drinking purposes..
In actuality KUND is an underground well... fashioned like a saucer , sort of catchment area which slopes down in the direction of the centre where the well is situated.
Sides of the well are covered with lime & ash.
More over, homes and hawelis in Western Rajasthan were constructed with rooftop water harvesting system.
Rainwater from these rooftops was directed into underground tanks.
Even today this formation can be seen in the forts, palaces and houses of Rajasthan.

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