The present generation can learn lessons and find solution to the contemporary problem of water crisis from the ancient culture and architecture of India such as step wells. Discuss.

Indian culture has always given extreme importance to natural resources like water. Traditional water storage in India like tanka, bawri, baoli, Johad, etc, have been a centre of innovative practices that are still in use today.

Importance:

• Water as essential commodity being recognised from earliest times, even if no water shortage was there.
• Rani ki vav, ancient karez system shows architectural brilliance for water storage.
• Storage system at Modhera, Gujrat is famous for step well ornamentation and is known for its aesthetic looks during rainy season.
• According to Central Water Commission, India need 3000 billion cubic meters water every year and India receives 4000 billion cubic metre of water from rain.
• This data shows that we don’t have water resource scarcity, but the utilisation is not proper. We only use 8% of rainwater.

Lessons we need to learn from past:

• ‘Jal hi Jivan Hai’ concept was popularised by ancient system.
• ‘Jal sanchay’ as essential as idea of purity. E.g. ritual bathing.
• Use of water in ‘Kamandal’ projects the importance of judicious utilisation.
• The rain god ‘Indra’ is respected in our ancient system, which shows our concern for water.

Recent initiatives taken by government of India in form of Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Kranti/ Jal Shakti Abhiyan are important steps in right direction. However, mass participation of citizens is the need of the hour.