Abundant monsoon fills the Jadan Talab
Monsoon rains that started on July 4 almost completely filled the Rainwater Harvesting Talab in Jadan. Water is everywhere; it covered also all fields and roads. Local people say that last monsoon of such abundance was almost ten years ago. Nature and people are thus celebrating the heavy rains after so long time.
Swami Madhavanand Sarovar - Rainwater Harvesting Project
[Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative - by His Holiness Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranandaji at Shri Vishwa Deep Gurukul Swami Maheshwarananda Ashram Education & Research Center, Jadan, Dist. Pali, Rajasthan/India]
At first, a system of dams and overflows was constructed in the village of Jadan, to catch monsoon waters to soak into the ground – thus improving quality of soil and replenishing underground water levels. The overflows serve also as prevention of flooding of the district in the peak of monsoon rains. In 2002, an extensive dam and water-catchment system was additionally built, to capture the run-off of rainwater (the Talab, named Swami Madhavanand Sarovar). At 150 metres in length by 110 metres in width, with a depth of 11 metres, fully lined with sand, gravel, non-permeable plastic, paving stones and concrete to prevent seepage, its capacity for water storage is 115 million litres. Along with servicing the facilities and projects of the ashram, the dam water is also being purified and used to supply clean, safe drinking water to drought-stricken villages in the surrounding area.
The Rainwater Harvesting Initiative was launched as a “Type 2 Partnership” at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 with a view to network and raise awareness about the severity of Rajasthan’s droughts. An important outcome of the Summit was the Partnership becoming an active participant in the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
Focusing on the need for ethical and sustainable management of natural resources and its potential for enhancing world peace, His Holiness Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda says: “Contemplate the effects of climate change, think deeply about the impact of pollution, and consider well the importance of conserving water. Otherwise, our future is in darkness. We not only have a free will, but we have also been graciously provided with a fine intellect, therefore before doing any action, know its consequence, know the outcome and act wisely. It is humanity’s prime duty to respect and save water. Water is life itself.”
Heavy monsoon rains in Jadan ashram
