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TISDS
and CSE revives Paar
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) through its small grant programme
assisted Thar Integrated Social Development Society (TISDS) in reviving
the paar - a traditional rainwater harvesting technique in Jaisalmer
district as a drought proofing model
Last couple of years has been particularly bad for Rajasthan in general
and Western Rajasthan in specific. Lack of adequate monsoon forced
the villagers to migrate to nearby towns for survival. The migration
process was further complicated by the presence of high livestock
population. In absence of fodder and water they also had become a
part of the migration process. This rampant migration marked by human
and livestock suffering triggered Bhatti to develop a region specific
drought-proofing model.
In April 2003, Bhatti initiated his experiment of developing paar
as a drought-proofing model in Manapia village of Jaisalmer district.
Owing to the deteriorating water scenario, Bhatti approached the panchayat
and convinced them to lease out the panchayat land for five years
from 2003 onwards to TISDS. It is predominantly a tribal village where
90 per cent of the habitants are below the poverty line. The village
constitutes of 70 households and they are totally dependent on agriculture
and livestock. At times, they even go to the neighbouring village
to work as agricultural labourers.
As a result of the first phase of the initiative, villagers not only
developed an asset but also gained employment during the course of
work. The entire project cost was estimated at Rs. 2,21,600. Work
began by developing the agar - catchment area to enhance the flow
of rainwater. Later kuis or beris were constructed in the agor to
access the water which had percolated during the monsoon runoff. After
developing the traditional system Bhatti now is concentrating in working
on the two hectares of land adjoining the paar at
Manapia. According to him the interlinkages between the traditional
water harvesting system and strategic land development measures will
be strengthened and popularised as a drought-proofing model in the
region. As a part of the strategy Bhatti plans to grow fodder, endangered
species of the desert and Rabi crops in the adjoining land, which
will be irrigated perennially by the paar system. Bhatti strongly
feels that such an integrated approach would definitely help in solving
the problems faced by humans and livestock.
The paar system at
Manapia village has been revived this year, yet there are certain
immediate benefit, that are visible, for instance
- Once a water stress village now has a perennial source for human
and livestock consumption. Earlier the villagers especially women
and girls had to walk atleast 7 km to fetch water for livestock
and 2 km for their own consumption. The paar system has been instrumental
in reducing their drudgery
- The activity not only gainfully employed the villagers but it
also disseminated the traditional wisdom to the youths in the
village for it to be kept alive
- People from adjoining villages have already started to approach
TISDS to replicate similar work in their villages
After the completion of the second phase of the project the output
will be further strengthened and visible.
TISDS
TISDS, a Jaisalmer-based non-governmental organisation, has been actively
involved in addressing the regional ecological issues since 1994.
Interestingly, it was in 1986, that a group of 15 higher secondary
school students got together in Jaisalmer to address the environmental
issues related to forestry, sacred groove and traditional rainwater
harvesting systems and land management. And finally in April 1994
they registered the group as TISDS. Since then they have been constantly
addressing issues concerning forest, land and water in the rural areas
of Jaisalmer.
TISDS has been largely involved in
- Generating ecological awareness in the rural areas through gram
baithaks (village meetings)
- Reviving Oran (sacred groves) in the region. TISDS has revived
an Oran at Damodara village, 25 km from Jaisalmer. Diverse saplings
were planted keeping in mind the dependence of villagers on forest
for their existence. In order to meet the fodder and grass requirement
for the livestock, prosopis cineraria and zizphus nummularia were
planted. To address the growing need for wood saplings of Rohinda
were planted in large numbers. Some other saplings planted were,
azarrdirachata indica, ficus benegalensis, salvadora persica,
zygophallum simples and capparis decidua. To revive the Oran,
the entire area was demarcated and later fenced to prevent uncontrolled
accessibility to people. Apart from planting area and need specific
saplings, importance was also given to natural regeneration of
existing rootstalk of existing plants. A small nadi (pond) was
also built next to the groove for its restoration. A 30,000 litres
tanka was also built to harvest the rainwater to meet the drinking
water needs of livestock and humans.
- Popularising traditional rainwater harvesting systems for instance,
nadis, paar, tankas etc. Old and dilapidated nadis at Damodara,
Dujasar were restored to meet the drinking water requirement of
the human and livestock population. Similarly, TISDS was involved
in rejuvenating the paar system at Khadera and Damodara village.
In order to provide drinking water to school students, TISDS constructed
a tanka at Salkha village.
LOCAL WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
According to Jethu Singh Bhatti, General Secretary of TISDS the
region has the lowest average annual rainfall of 250 mm in the country.
Interestingly, despite the area falling in the low rainfall regime
it has the highest human population density in the world and a substantial
cattle density in comparison to the other desert regions. According
to him availability of water through traditional water conservation
practices has been the main reason for such a phenomenon. Bhatti
classifies the local water management techniques in the following
three forms.
NAADI (Village ponds): Rainwater falling in the catchment
area is collected in the village ponds and tanks. The water collected
is locally referred to as Palar paani
Kui/beri (traditional wells): The natural percolation of
rainwater is accessed through kuis or beris. The locals refer to
this water as PATALI PANI
Paar system: Paar is a common water harvesting practice in
the western Rajasthan region. It is a common place where the rainwater
flows from the agar (catchment) and in the process percolates into
the sandy soil. In order to access the rajani pani (percolated water)
kuis or beris are dug in the agor (storage area). Kuis or beris
are normally 5 metres (m) to 12 m deep. The structure was constructed
through traditional masonary technology. Normally six to ten of
them are constructed in a paar. However depending on the size of
the paar the numbers of kuis or beris are decided. Bhatti mentions
that there are paars in Jaisalmer district where there are more
than 20 kuis are in operation. This is the most predominant form
of rainwater harvesting in the region. Rainwater harvested through
PAAR technique is known as Patali paani.
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