Wakal river basin case study

• describe the Wakal river basin geographically...

  • found in the region of Rajasthan, North India -> this is the driest region of india ( <250mm rainfall/ year and temperatures of 53°C lead to high levels of evaporation)
• what problems has the lack of clean water created for the region?

  • water extraction isn't regulated -> many villages have over-extracted water supplies
  • lack of groundwater -> salinisation of the soil or water-logging
  • crops can't be irrigated fully (clean water supplies = low, some wells are becoming increasingly salty) -> leads to crop failure which will impact the food security of the region
• what time of project does the basin need to be and why?

  management -> to protect the supply of clean water
• when...?


  program ran between 2004 and 2014
• who?


  United States Agency for International Development (USAID) -> an NGO that promotes international cooperation to improve the quality of life in developing countries
• what are Taankas?


  concrete containers underground for water collection from roofs

  👍 concrete creates a cool storage, so water isn't lost through evaporation

  👎 producing concrete releases CO2 which contributes to global warming

  
• what are Joheds?

  earth and sand can be used to build small dams, to increase the water flow in rivers

  👍 can keep water flowing through rivers all year round

  👎 they affect the water supplies in a small quantity, so might not help the entire village

  
• what are pats?


  small dams (bunds) divert water from a stream into farmlands for irrigation

  👍 farmlands can receive a constant supply of water, reducing the risk of crop failures

  👎 channels need constant maintenance and clearing because they fill with silt

  
• education


  creating awareness of protecting clean water supplies, reducing waste and not extracting too much water

  👍 reducing over-extraction can reduce soil erosion and salinisation, could impact food supplies in the future

  👎 long term solution and takes time to change people's habits