Question

What are the rainwater harvesting traditional systems in kashmir?

Answer 1

Kashmir has huge potential for rainwater harvesting, annual rainfall over Kashmir is computed to be (660) mm. This rainfall occur during short spells and most of the rain falling on the surface tends to flow rapidly, leaving little for the recharge of ground water. The oval shaped valley of Kashmir is grilled by high slop mountains on all sides. The Nanga-Parbat and Tosh Maidan in the north, Gawash brari and Amarnath in the south, the valley has pirpanjal in the south west and kazi nag in the north- west while Harmukh, guard’s valley on eastern side followed by lower slope mountains and central flood basin area. During rain period high slope mountains increase run off velocity of precipitation and decrease the infiltration rate, followed by soil erosion in lower slope mountains and finally results floods in central plain area. The river jehlum is the main drainage artery in Kashmir, the river is first formed by joining of several fresh water streams which drains the south eastern part of the valley and during its course receives tributaries Lidder, Sind, Vishav, Rambiara, Ramshee, Dudganga and Sukhnag, from different areas, the river meanders in the valley, enters the wullar lake leaves it near Sopur and flow in a narrow gorge across the Pirpanjal from Varmul to Muzaffarabad. The river Jehlum and its tributaries are the main channels of drainage of land surface in the valley of Kashmir and irrigate the entire flood plain of the valley. During rain period river Jehlum increase in its volume and sur plus water overflows through the banks of river causing severe flood in the plain basin of the valley, that result in huge loss of life and property. 
 The rain water harvesting has an important role in reducing the impact of floods, building up of rainwater harvesting structures like percolation tanks, check dams, sub surface barriers, recharge wells, water spreading structure on upper reach of mountains will reduce the impact of flood during rainy season and stored water can be utilized for drinking purpose, agriculture and horticulture farming as most of the dry areas (karewas) have no irrigation system. Water harvesting in dry areas will increase multi farming systems and will boost growth of agriculture and horticulture sectors and same time will reduce impact of floods in plain areas. Water harvesting has huge potential for developing sustained micro livelihood units in floriculture, horticulture, growing of medicinal plants and vegetable farming in high altitude areas of Kashmir.