Assessment of Traditional Rainwater Harvesting System in Barren Lands of
a Semi-Arid Region
Abstract
In semi-arid and arid regions, groundwater is the primary source for
domestic, agricultural, and industrial supply. Scattered and erratic
rainfall in these regions makes groundwater recharge more complex.
Small-scale rainwater harvesting using both traditional and modern
rainwater harvesting structures has been seen as a solution to the
deepening groundwater crisis in India. In this study, shallow
infiltration ponds locally known as Chaukas were studied to understand
their groundwater recharge role and pastureland development. Potential
groundwater recharge from these shallow infiltration ponds was estimated
using the HYDRUS-1D model, simulating the sub-surface processes in the
root zone. Field data collected in the year 2019 is used to calibrate
the model for field conditions, while monsoon period data (July-August)
of 2020 is used to validate the developed model. The developed model was
then used to predict the potential groundwater recharge for the monsoon
periods of the year 2019 and 2020.The shallow infiltration ponds allow
approximately 5% additional rainfall to be available as potential
recharge. The near soil surface moisture also helps develop natural
grass cover used for pasture in the early dry periods. Analysis of the
vegetation in the past 10 years suggests that these shallow infiltration
ponds have converted barren lands into eco-hydrologically productive
pasturelands. These Chauka systems have helped in sustainable water
resources management in these water stressed regions along with the
additional livelihood support through developed pasturelands for animal
husbandry. They have potential wide application across India and beyond,
as they simply require slightly sloping, barren land above an unconfined
aquifer.