Traditional Knowledge and Practices for Water Harvesting and Conservation in the Northwestern Himalaya, India

Abstract

In the present study, we assess the importance of traditional knowledge for water harvesting and conservation. Traditional technologies and practices of water harvesting have met the needs of local people since ages. The Traditional technologies and practices of water harvesting at remote areas of northwestern Himalaya is very helpful to provide drinking and irrigation water even in today’s. Water is the basis of life that’s why it is said that if there is water, there is tomorrow. The Himalaya, also refer as a ‘Third Pole’, is a huge storage tower of fresh water resources; however, at present the communities residing over there faces problems of water scarcity due to many anthropogenic activities and climate change. The water sources are under huge pressure in terms of their quality and quantity. People of ancient times considered nature as mother and used the resources available from nature in a restrained manner. Traditional Khuls, Baories, Jayroo, Nauns and Maggaru were used for water harvesting. As per the age-old water conservation perspective the natural springs were linked with some deity so that people would not pollute that source and protect them. Water springs of Yangrang village of Lahul Spiti district are called the water spring of Nag Devta, the Kaudimurti water spring of Udaipur have been associated with the famous Lama with the belief that this water has been revealed by Lama. Similarly, in Kullu, the famous Raje Ra Jairu water spring has been protected by boundary wall from all sides and developed a small Shivling of lord Shiva near it.