The Flow of Tradition: Indigenous and Folk Approaches to Water Conservation in India

Abstract

Water being always crucial to India’s civilizational ethos, ancient and traditional systems had context-specific, sustainable, communal solutions. The paper traces the centuries-old heritage of water management in India, which includes the advanced hydraulic engineering of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Grandala and Kuti systems, to temple tanks, anicuts and agroforestry practices. It demonstrates how every ecological zone, from the scorching Rajasthan deserts with Johads and Kunds, to the northeastern Zabo and bamboo drip irrigation systems, evolved its own set of solutions to tackle water scarcity. The research also juxtaposes traditional systems with contemporary, infrastructure-heavy centralized water and shows vital contrasts with regard to sustainability, resilience, participation and social justice. Traditional systems highlight ecological harmony, inclusiveness and resilience to climatic fluctuations, as opposed to modern concerns about scale and efficiencies. In highlighting water-stressed India, in particular West Bengal, it throws up critical challenges of over-exploitation, pollution, climate change and unequal distribution of groundwater. It believes that revitalising, integrating and modernising traditional ways would go a long way in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of India’s water management. In so doing, the paper contributes critical knowledge for policymakers, academics and communities aiming to confront and mediate the escalating water crisis of our times through the wisdom of tradition.