Question

Khadins, Ahars and Kattas are ancient structures that are examples of water harvesting.
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Hint: Water conservation is a key element of any strategy that aims to alleviate the water scarcity in India. In India, a warming climate is drying lakes and pavements while paid urbanization and water pollution are putting enormous pressure on the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater. The country’s fragile agricultural system still depends primarily on rainfall and a bad monsoon season government has started looking at means to revive the traditional systems of water harvesting in the country. These methods are simple and eco-friendly.

Complete answer:
Water harvesting is an age-old concept in India. Chadians in Rajasthan, Ahaps in Bihar and kasha in swastika are some of the water harvesting including water conveyance status.
a) Khadins:- Khadins are indigenious construction designed to harvest surface runoff water for agriculture. The main features of a khadin, also called dhora, is a long earthen embankment that is built across the hill slopes of gravelly uplands. Slices and spillways allow the excess water to drain off and the water-saturated land is then used for crop production.
b) Ahar these are traditional flow water harvesting systems ahars are reservoirs with embankments on three sides that are built at the end of diversion channels.
c) Kattas:- Its temporary check dams built across streams. These traditional structures were constructed every year to conserve water for summer irrigation. It was built using kacha stones and locally available wood.

So the correct answer is True.

Note: In regards to urban agriculture, rainwater harvesting in urban areas reduces the impact of runoff and flooding. In China and Brazil, it used to provide drinking water. It also results in:
> Soil erosion is reduced by water harvesting.
> Floods get controlled.
> Reduced demand for groundwater uses.