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Rethinking rehabilitation: socio-ecology of tanks and water harvesting in Rajasthan, North-west India

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  • Shah, Tushaar
  • Raju, K. Vengama

Abstract

In the arid and semi- arid Indian state of Rajasthan, tanks and ponds have been a mainstay of rural communities for centuries. There are over 4600 large minor irrigation tanks, plus numerous johads, bandhs and pals (small water harvesting structures). This paper assesses a strategy proposed for rehabilitating 1200 of the larger tanks. It argues that treating tanks only as flow irrigation systems—which lies at the center of the mainstream thinking on rehabilitating surface irrigation systems is very likely to result in a flawed strategy when applied to tanks. Instead, reviewing the successful experience of NGOs like PRADAN and Tarun Bharat Sangh in reviving and rehabilitating clusters of small traditional water harvesting structures at a watershed level, it posits that Rajasthan's tanks belong more to the watershed development domain than to the irrigation domain and that a strategy that views tanks as multi-use socio-ecological constructs, and which recognizes varied stakeholder groups is more likely to enhance the social value of tanks.

Suggested Citation

  • Shah, Tushaar & Raju, K. Vengama, 2001. "Rethinking rehabilitation: socio-ecology of tanks and water harvesting in Rajasthan, North-west India," CAPRi working papers 18, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:worpps:18
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Seckler, D., 1996. "The new era of water resources management: from \dry\ to \wet\ water savings," IWMI Research Reports H018206, International Water Management Institute.
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    1. Jetske Bouma & Daan Van Soest & Erwin Bulte, 2007. "How sustainable is participatory watershed development in India?," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 36(1), pages 13-22, January.
    2. Bouma, Jetske A. & Biggs, Trent W. & Bouwer, Laurens M., 2011. "The downstream externalities of harvesting rainwater in semi-arid watersheds: An Indian case study," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(7), pages 1162-1170, May.
    3. Shah, Tushaar, 2007. "Issues in reforming informal water economies of low-income countries: examples from India and elsewhere," IWMI Books, Reports H040688, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Ratner, B. D., 2013. "Addressing conflict through collective action in natural resource management: a synthesis of experience," IWMI Working Papers H046235, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Shah, Tushaar, 2007. "Issues in reforming informal water economies of low-income countries: examples from India and elsewhere," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    6. L. Venkatachalam & Kulbhushan Balooni, 2018. "Water transfer from irrigation tanks for urban use: can payment for ecosystem services produce efficient outcomes?," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 51-65, January.

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