Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Source: DTE
Context: India has conducted its first census of all water structures that hold rainwater and recharge groundwater, finding that the country has 2.4 million waterbodies, 83% of which are being used for fisheries, irrigation, groundwater recharge, and drinking water.
| Method | Description |
| Talab/Bandhi | Reservoirs to store water for drinking and household consumption |
| Jhalaras | Rectangular-shaped step-wells to collect subterranean water seepage from a lake or an upstream reservoir |
| Baoli | Stepwells with arches and motifs, open to people of all sections of society |
| Kund (Gujarat and Rajasthan) | The catchment area is shaped like a saucer sloping towards the circular underground well at the centre for rainwater harvesting |
| Bawari (Rajasthan) | Stepwells that divert rainfall to artificial tanks via canals on hilly terrain |
| Taanka (Thar desert region in Rajasthan) | Cylindrical paved underground pit for rainwater harvesting from courtyards, rooftops and artificially prepared catchments |
| Nadi | Village ponds where rainwater collects from natural catchment areas |
| Bamboo drip irrigation system (Northeastern India) | Irrigation technique using bamboo pipes to transport water from perennial springs |
| Zings (Ladakh) | Small tanks to collect melting glacier water |
| Kuhls (Himachal Pradesh) | Surface water channels for irrigation of fields tapping glacial waters from rivers and streams |
| Jackwells (Great Nicobar Islands) | Small pits for rainwater harvesting, constructed using bamboo and logs of wood |
| Water harvesting structures of Ramtek (Maharashtra) | Network of groundwater and surface water bodies with tanks connected by underground and surface canals for water flow from the foothills to the plains |
