Rainwater harvesting and water policy

Rainwater harvesting means capturing rain to use it, or to recharge the aquifers under the ground. It is low-cost and eco-friendly.

Its benefits:

• it raises the water table;
• it dilutes harmful fluoride and nitrates in groundwater;
• it prevents soil erosion and floods;
• in coastal areas, it stops salt water seeping into fresh groundwater.

In Rajasthan, people have long stored rain in a kund or tanka: a covered underground tank. Rooftops and open spaces anywhere can be used to harvest rain.

National Water Policy 2012: after meeting basic needs, water should be treated as an economic good; it calls for water audits and community participation.

Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16): a 'Jal Gram' (model water village) in each district, pollution control, and mass awareness. Store today's rain for tomorrow.