3.2 One of the interesting fact about our rivers, lakes, tanks, wells etc. which symbolizes the Indian culture, is that, not only rivers like Ganga and Yamuna, but almost all other water bodies too, have mythological or puranic legends associated with them in which, the streams / water bodies are described as having a human form. In this back ground only, while bathing and during any inaugural ceremony, the names of five major rivers are invoked through recitation of hymans, for the sake of glory and prestige of water . All this proves that, the water-bodies still flow along inextricably, intertwined with the popular culture and lives of the masses and they will continue to do so in future also without any doubt

3.3 Summing up, it is highly pertinent here to point out what Kalidas wrote in Raghuvansham - this is quoted below

"River is like Mother for the country and Mountain is like Father, who is magnanimous, thoughtful resolute, archatic man. The rivers are conscious liberators, swift and source of knowledge. When clouds which roam free in the open sky, spend themselves at the bedstead of the horizon after creating a commotion, then Mother Earth conceives that life giving man, with the helo through its rivers in arteries. These water filled streams, fill the earth with the power of procreation and energy. It is these streams flowing on the landmass, which act as the blood pumping arteries in the body".

4.0 TRADITIONAL WATER HARVESTING PROGRAMMES - THE BACKBONE OF CIVILIZATION

4.1 It is heartening to see the revival of traditional water harvesting systems in various ecological regions of India . Communities, in the face of extreme adversity, have revived or created new water harvesting systems. In many places, these efforts have withstood the effects of recurring drought. There are

several illustrations as per which, artificial glaciers are created at lower altitudes in the cold desert of Ladakh and, in coastal Kerala , rooftop rainwater is directed into Ferro cement tanks. In Alwar. Tarun Bharat Sangh has motivated more than 650 villages to manage their rainwater endowment. Its effort have revived five rivers Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh is an outstanding example of a government run watershed programme, run through participation at the lowest level and accountability at the highest level

4.2 Gujarat has many examples of community involvement in water harvesting .

Check dams have both recharged groundwater and empowered women. In Bihar , a new ahar and pyne system was constructed by the villagers themselves to meet irrigation requirements and ended up recharging the groundwater. In Karnataka , farm ponds have improved soil moisture regimes and boosted yields. In Kerala , springs are being tapped to meet drinking water needs In Tamil Nadu revived ooranis are catering to potable water needs. Tanks are being desilted. In Pondicherry . soil erosion has been arrested by check dams, bunding and tree plantation

4.3 Rain is being captured in several countries. In Southeast Asian countries, ferro cement tanks find widespread use in capturing roof top rainwater In Israel, micro catchments have proved to be more efficient in harvesting rain. In Kenya , rainwater harvesting has contributed significantly to alleviating poverty and improved agricultural production.

4.4 The success of these efforts reveals the diversity of traditions, technologies, needs and potential of these systems. It also, indicates that communities want to take water management into their hands.

4.5 A few more water harvesting traditions of South Asia are described below:

4.5.1 The Mewar region of Rajasthan is home to a rich legacy of traditional water harvesting systems. Systems were in place to share the water available and cultivate accordingly. The Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, with its Chandela and Bundela tanks made Tikamgarh district one of the highest irrigated districts of the state. These tanks played a significant role in irrigation, both directly and indirectly, as groundwater recharge. The main threats to these tanks today is tank bed cultivation and breaching of embankments.

4.5.2 In Vidisha division of Madhya Pradesh traditions to keep up the pakhi a two kilometer long well, was undertaken with much fanfare. In nearby Sironj, a historic centre for cloth weaving and printing till the early 20th century, a tank provided water. Wells were built near the tank to take advantage of groundwater recharge. In Bandhara district of Maharashtra, the Kohlis built tanks in all sizes, using their inherent wisdom. Often cascades of tanks were constructed so that the spillover from one tank was captured in another. The 16 anna malguzari system ensured equitable water distribution and maintenance of these tanks. When the state government took control over these tanks, it alienated the community and ensured the demise of these tanks.