Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies (TWB) in the Island ... · PDF fileRenovation of...
Transcript of Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies (TWB) in the Island ... · PDF fileRenovation of...
Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies (TWB)
in the Island of Rameshwaram
By Vivekananda Kendra - nardep
Rameshwaram is the South Indian island that has been center of pilgrimages from time immemorial.
Though situated in the arid district of Ramanathapuram, the island has been endowed with 64 traditional
water harvesting and management structure. Out of 64 TWB 41 are situated around the island well
distributed in the community areas. The revival of these structures has ecological, economical and cultural
significance for the people of the island as well as the floating population which is as large as 10 million
per annum. The following benefits envisioned in the renovation of these water bodies which are today
abandoned, polluted, ruined and in state of endangered extinction.
Ecological Potential of each TWB: Recharging of ground water and Rainwater harvesting; aquaculture
as well as use for revival of an ‘infant forest’ (nandavanam) with a specific keystone species.
Cultural Significance: Preservation of epigraphical data (if any) and highlighting it; Promoting
knowledge of historical facts, Conserving the community mythological significance related to each tank
as well as conserving the cultural activities associated with the tank.
Economic Possibilities: Promoting the traditional tank as a TWB and making it and associated place as
an eco-pilgrimage point. With such a vast value addition, new livelihood possibilities get created for local
communities. Better Environment and added pilgrim spots can increase pilgrim inflow. Apart from such
cultural, social and ecological benefits, direct economic benefits can be reaped by Pilgrim Guides (425
members), Hoteliers (55 members), Auto drivers (200 members), and Temple priests (300 members).
Scheme of action
As on today, VK-Nardep has renovated 20 such Traditional Water bodies. In this month, we are giving
the photographic view of the renovation of Narana Teertham.
Documentation of select
ecological, economic and
cultural parameters of the
TWBs: Baseline data
Creating community awareness
for the preservation and
management
Facilitating the creation of local
community structures for the
revival and maintenance of the
water body
Value addition by cultural factors: eco-pilgrimage
creation: making community feel themselves as
stake holders: establishment of water democracy
model for traditional water harvesting structures
management.
Revival and maintenance of the
traditional water harvesting
structures with community
participation
Narana Teertham Report for the month of May, 2016
Filling the area with debris before constructing the steps
Manual clearing of accumulated silt
Constructing proper inlet for the tank
Inlet which will work as a filter before water enters the tank