The Indian Khadin Water System in
Charlotte Delobbe
Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India.
2024
Originating from the Jaisalmer District in Rajasthan, India, the Khadin works in arid areas characterized by high temperatures, sandy soil and water scarcity. It reintroduces the natural water cycle by a rain harvesting technique for agricultural purposes. The district of Jaisalmer is characterized by dunes or sand hills over 70% of its surface area (Kolarkar, Murthy & Singh, 1983). It includes the Thar Desert on its western part which covers 27.8 millions hectares in India (Saxena, 2017). It climate is characterized by meagre rainfall of one rainseason and a long dry season which can reach high temperatures.
The natural conditions of this area mean agriculture is precarious for local villages and irrigation limited by water scarcity (Saxena, 2017). Therefore, systems must rely on “palar” water (rainfall) to design an optimal use of water. Khadins are implemented in slopes and depression areas with suitable runoff capacity to collect and store “palar” water (Prasad & Mertia, 2004). Its main characteristics are a large earthen embankment and a concrete wall with contains a spillway and sluice at its lowest level to let go of excess “deir” water (surface water) (Kolarkar, Murthy & Singh, 1983). Khadins are located nearby villages as they serve as a agricultural practices to increase food source production. Shallow dug wells around khadins take advantage of the “wakar” water (groundwater) recharge to give access to drinking water (Kolarkar, Murthy & Singh, 1983). Thanks to its implementation, they have increased food production from 3-11% to 50-70% enabling farmers’ prosperity (Hussain, Husain & Arif, 2014).
Wakar, Palar, and Deir water are important denominations of water states. In order, they means: groundwater, rainfall and surface water. There are also many dugwells shapes and names depending on the size, ownership and location. For instance: a “kua” is an individual well, a “kohar” belongs to the community, “Sagar-ka-hua” is a 60 meters deep well, “Sajay-ka-hua” relies on the groundwater recharge of a watershed, and many other names (Saxena, 2017). All these denominations inform us of the strong relationship people have with the different facets of water.
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The seasonal rythms is dependant of the one rain season and an all year round dry season. As local groundwater does not suffice to subtain local crops and villages, the khadin collects as much water as possible.
During the harvest season, khadins connect communities. Households shares are fixed and they sell the production at the local market. Sometimes they use it as trade for services. For instance, marriage performances, woodwork for the fences, pottery, etc (Kisantak.in, 023b)
