Tudum or monga
Tudum or monga are mechanisms used to draw water from Kohli
tanks for irrigation. Different mechanisms are used depending
on the size of the tank.
For a small tank or a bori, a straight tunnel across the base
of the bund is constructed using stones. A log is pitched at
the mouth of the tunnel and plastered with clay. It is removed
when water is required. For a medium or large tank, a straight
tunnel across the base of the bund is constructed using stones
over which a stair-like structure (monghad) is built, with a
opening (dachcha) on each side. This is stopped with a stone
slab or a wooden log carefully plastered with clay.
Sometimes, a hollow tree trunk is also placed across the base
of a tank, to which another hollow tree trunk with holes at
regular distances is placed vertically. These holes are plugged
with cogs, which are removed to draw water. This system requires
frequent repairs as tree trunks rot quickly. Besides, there
are stringent forest laws, which make it difficult to obtain
wooden logs. |
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Networking
of Farm Ponds
The Institute for Rural Development of the Bharatiya Agro-Industries
Foundation has undertaken the excavation of 330 farm ponds in
Adihalli watershed, spread over an area of 700 hectares in Arasikere
taluka of Hassan district in Karnataka. The approach is based
on a traditional concept where structures were dug out in strategic
locations, locally known as kalyani. This overcomes the shortcomings
of constructing check dams, which cannot be constructed in all
terrain and the benefits of which are not available to upstream
communities. A series of ponds, constructed along contour lines
and connected to one another, allow easy access to water and
a better soil moisture regime. In the Chotanagpur plateau in
Orissa, the Professional Assistance for Development Action,
an NGO, has also worked on farm ponds. It has promoted the idea
of leaving a small part of the farm for water harvesting. |
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Read more about Traditional
Techniques
More on Urban
water harvesting practices in this region
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