Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The khadeen system of the Thar Desert, in Rajasthan, is an ancient technology that takes advantage of peculiar geohydrologic formations to create temporary lakes. A careful water management practice, the khadeen are an example of age-old methods of capturing and using seasonal runoff for agriculture, ensuring water access in arid regions. Khadeen have played a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities since the sixteenth century, offering impressive yields in a water-scarce environment. However, the enduring efficacy of khadeen faces contemporary threats, including mining encroachment, labor outmigration and road development. The delicate balance between preserving traditional knowledge and succumbing to external pressures poses challenges to their cultural, ecological and agricultural significance. This paper comments on the historical, hydrogeological and socioeconomic dimensions of khadeen, emphasizing the importance of their preservation in sustaining communities and ecosystems in the Thar Desert area.
Source: Blue Papers
Authors: Pierantonio La Vena, Bhatta Ram
Institution: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4404638930