Taanka - Revision history

UpdateBot: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-05-31T01:59:10Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:29, 31 May 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{More footnotes\|date=November 2019}}		{{More footnotes\|date=November 2019}}
	[[File:Rainwater harvesting tank, India.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\| ~~The Tanka~~]]		{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2022}}
	A '''taanka''', ~~are~~ also known as a '''tanka''' or '''~~kunds~~''', is a traditional [[rainwater harvesting]] technique, common to the [[Thar desert]] region of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>''Rainwater harvesting in rural India - taankas in the Thar Desert'', by [[Megan Konar]], Waterlines, Volume 25, Number 4, April 2007, pp. 22-24(3). Publisher: Practical Action Publishing.</ref> It is meant to provide [[drinking water]] ~~for~~ and water security for a family or a small group of families. A taanka is composed of a covered, underground, impermeable [[cistern]] on shallow ground for the collection of rainwater. The cistern is generally constructed out of stone or brick masonry, or concrete, with lime mortar or cement plaster. Rainwater or surface run-off from rooftops, courtyards, or artificially prepared [[~~catchment~~]]s (locally called ''agor'') flow into the tank through filtered inlets in the wall of the pit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=B-NjyAz7OygC&pg=RA1-PA421&dq=Taanka++rainwater+harvesting&as_brr=0 Rainwater Harvesting Structures: 1: Taanka] ''Indian Villages 2020 (in 2 Volumes)vision And Mission (vol. 1)strategies And Suggested Development Models (vol 2), Y.P. Singh (ed.). Concept Publishing Company, 2006. {{ISBN\|818069321X}}. ''Page 421 ''.</ref><ref>[http://www.iwahq.org/uploads/sgs/sg%20on%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20management/full%20papers/Indiana.doc Community initiatives in capturing rain through terrain-specific technologies: examples from India] IWA [[International Water Association]] website</ref>		{{Use Indian English\|date=May 2022}}
			[[File:Rainwater harvesting tank, India.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|A Taanka]]
			A '''taanka''', also known as a '''tanka''' or '''kund''', is a traditional [[rainwater harvesting]] technique, common to the [[Thar desert]] region of [[Rajasthan]], India.<ref>''Rainwater harvesting in rural India - taankas in the Thar Desert'', by [[Megan Konar]], Waterlines, Volume 25, Number 4, April 2007, pp. 22-24(3). Publisher: Practical Action Publishing.</ref> It is meant to provide [[drinking water]] and water security for a family or a small group of families. A taanka is composed of a covered, underground, impermeable [[cistern]] on shallow ground for the collection of rainwater. The cistern is generally constructed out of stone or brick masonry, or concrete, with [[lime mortar]] or cement plaster. Rainwater or [[surface run-off]] from rooftops, courtyards, or artificially prepared [[Catchment\|catchments]] (locally called ''agor'') flow into the tank through filtered inlets in the wall of the pit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=B-NjyAz7OygC&pg=RA1-PA421&dq=Taanka++rainwater+harvesting&as_brr=0 Rainwater Harvesting Structures: 1: Taanka] ''Indian Villages 2020'' (in 2 Volumes)vision And Mission (vol. 1)strategies And Suggested Development Models (vol 2), Y.P. Singh (ed.). Concept Publishing Company, 2006. {{ISBN\|818069321X}}. Page 421 .</ref><ref>[http://www.iwahq.org/uploads/sgs/sg%20on%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20management/full%20papers/Indiana.doc Community initiatives in capturing rain through terrain-specific technologies: examples from India] IWA [[International Water Association]] website</ref>

	The water stored saves people from the daily task of walking long distances to fetch water from sources which are often contaminated. The water in a taanka is usually only used for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and household taankas do not get filled, water would instead be obtained from nearby wells and tanks to fill the taankas.		The water stored saves people from the daily task of walking long distances to fetch water from sources which are often contaminated. The water in a taanka is usually only used for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and household taankas do not get filled, water would instead be obtained from nearby wells and tanks to fill the taankas.

	==History==		==History==
	Taankas were usually constructed near religious centers and in villages for community usage due to the belief in the sanctity of water. This preservation technique is an ancient practice dating back to at least 1607 A.D. near Jodhpur.<ref>''Water Harvesting & Management''. Vol. Improving Land Management in Rajasthan, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref><ref>Mishra, Anupam. ~~“Water~~ Use: Traditional Systems and Practices.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003</ref>		Taankas were usually constructed near religious centers and in villages for community usage due to the belief in the sanctity of water. This preservation technique is an ancient practice dating back to at least 1607 A.D. near Jodhpur.<ref>''Water Harvesting & Management''. Vol. Improving Land Management in Rajasthan, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref><ref>Mishra, Anupam. "Water Use: Traditional Systems and Practices." ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003</ref>

	However, people now generally prefer to construct taankas locally in each hamlet and are owned and maintained by individual families. This shift is mainly due to dominant groups monopolizing or taking disproportionate shares of communal water, marginalizing the needs of poor and lower [[caste]]. Generally, community structures now fail through underinvestment leading to poor workmanship and aftercare.{{fact\|date=August 2020}}		However, people now generally prefer to construct taankas locally in each hamlet and are owned and maintained by individual families. This shift is mainly due to dominant groups monopolizing or taking disproportionate shares of communal water, marginalizing the needs of poor and lower [[caste]]. Generally, community structures now fail through underinvestment leading to poor workmanship and aftercare.{{fact\|date=August 2020}}

	The technique was largely abandoned in the later 20th century as pipes lines or [[hand ~~pump~~]]s were laid to transport water from [[Indira Gandhi Canal\|Perennial Rajasthan Canal]] to their houses, though some houses still maintain the ~~tankas~~ since they do not like the taste of [[tap water]]. When the region was faced with [[Drought in India\|drought]]-like situations, inadequate supplies of piped water on the account of growing population, and depleted or contaminated ground water, this traditional method was revived, along with other traditional rainwater harvesting structures like, ''Naadi'', a village pond and ''Beri'', a small rainwater-collecting wells, especially for supplying drinking water.		The technique was largely abandoned in the later 20th century as pipes lines or [[Hand pump\|hand pumps]] were laid to transport water from [[Indira Gandhi Canal\|Perennial Rajasthan Canal]] to their houses, though some houses still maintain the taankas since they do not like the taste of [[tap water]]. When the region was faced with [[Drought in India\|drought]]-like situations, inadequate supplies of piped water on the account of growing population, and depleted or contaminated ground water, this traditional method was revived, along with other traditional rainwater harvesting structures like, ''Naadi'', a village pond and ''Beri'', a small rainwater-collecting wells, especially for supplying drinking water.

	Though originally found in the [[Thar desert\|desert towns]], the system has since gained immense popularity in rural areas. In [[Phalodi]], [[Barmer district\|Barmer]] and [[Balotra]] region, rural taankas were found that were 6.1 meters (20~~ ~~ft) deep, 4.27 meters (14~~ ~~ft) long and 2.44 meters (8~~ ~~ft) wide. This technique of harvesting rainwater was perfected to a fine art in the arid regions of western [[Rajasthan]]. Such water harvesting structures have also been reported being built in other arid [[Developing country\|developing countries]] such as [[Botswana]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Yemen]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref name=":1">Mahnot, S. C., and P. K. Singh. ~~“Arid~~ Zone Water Harvesting.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref>		Though originally found in the [[Thar desert\|desert towns]], the system has since gained immense popularity in rural areas. In [[Phalodi]], [[Barmer district\|Barmer]] and [[Balotra]] region, rural taankas were found that were 6.1 meters (20 ft) deep, 4.27 meters (14 ft) long and 2.44 meters (8 ft) wide. This technique of harvesting rainwater was perfected to a fine art in the arid regions of western [[Rajasthan]]. Such water harvesting structures have also been reported being built in other arid [[Developing country\|developing countries]] such as [[Botswana]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Yemen]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref name=":1">Mahnot, S. C., and P. K. Singh. "Arid Zone Water Harvesting." ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref>

	[[Bikaner]] was founded by [[Rao Bika]] in 1488 AD. The choice of Bikaner as an urban center seems to have been strongly influence by the availability of tracts of mudiya kanker, also known as murrum (मूरड़), a particular set of gravel and dirt which compacts easily when mike with water and possesses excellent run off characteristics. This facilitated rainwater harvesting through an elaborate network of taankas.<ref name=":2">''Water Harvesting Systems : Traditional Systems''. <nowiki>http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/Traditional2.htm#tank</nowiki>. Accessed 30 Dec. 2019.</ref>		[[Bikaner]] was founded by [[Rao Bika]] in 1488 AD. The choice of Bikaner as an urban center seems to have been strongly influence by the availability of tracts of mudiya kanker, also known as murrum (मूरड़), a particular set of gravel and dirt which compacts easily when mike with water and possesses excellent run off characteristics. This facilitated rainwater harvesting through an elaborate network of taankas.<ref name=":2">''Water Harvesting Systems : Traditional Systems''. <nowiki>http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/Traditional2.htm#tank</nowiki>. Accessed 30 Dec. 2019.</ref>

	== Construction ==		== Construction ==
	Traditional family-managed taankas are constructed by digging a hole of 3 to 4.25 meter diameter in the ground and plastering it with lime mortar cement about 6~~ ~~mm thick, followed by a cement plaster of about 3~~ ~~mm thickness. Most modern taankas have a capacity of around 21,000 liters but larger ones can be constructed where resources are available.<ref name=":1" />		Traditional family-managed taankas are constructed by digging a hole of 3 to 4.25 meter diameter in the ground and plastering it with lime mortar cement about 6 mm thick, followed by a cement plaster of about 3 mm thickness. Most modern taankas have a capacity of around 21,000 liters but larger ones can be constructed where resources are available.<ref name=":1" />

	Commonly, the catchment area, known as an agor, is a concave cemented funnel-like slope directing water into a collection pit that reduces the sediment load of water before it enters the underground cistern via a suitable mesh supported by bars in an angle iron frame to filter out other large debris. The micro-catchment avoids seepage and prevents erosion, and is fenced to restrict animal entry. The bottom of the cistern is also concave facilitating extraction of the maximum amount of water from the taanka. The cistern has a top cover to prevent evaporation and pollution of stored water by foreign matter. A [[Galvanization\|galvanised]] iron cover is built into the cover to facilitate withdrawal of water. Taanka covers are ventilated, helping to prevent bad odor in the stored water. Outlets are provided to allow excess water falling during the [[Monsoon of South Asia\|monsoon]] to escape.		Commonly, the catchment area, known as an agor, is a concave cemented funnel-like slope directing water into a collection pit that reduces the sediment load of water before it enters the underground cistern via a suitable mesh supported by bars in an angle iron frame to filter out other large debris. The micro-catchment avoids seepage and prevents erosion, and is fenced to restrict animal entry. The bottom of the cistern is also concave facilitating extraction of the maximum amount of water from the taanka. The cistern has a top cover to prevent evaporation and pollution of stored water by foreign matter. A [[Galvanization\|galvanised]] iron cover is built into the cover to facilitate withdrawal of water. Taanka covers are ventilated, helping to prevent bad odor in the stored water. Outlets are provided to allow excess water falling during the [[Monsoon of South Asia\|monsoon]] to escape.
Line 24:		Line 26:

	== Usage and Maintenance ==		== Usage and Maintenance ==
	Taanka require cleaning at least once a year, typically before the onset of the monsoon. This includes desilting the taanka cistern, sweeping the micro-catchment, and painting inlets and the outlet to keep the system in good working condition. Periodic dosing with [[oxidizing ~~agent~~]]s, such as [[potassium permanganate]], helps prevent the growth of microscopic organisms and the consequent development of bad taste, odor and color in the water. Alum additions also help to settle suspended matter. At least a few centimetres of water should always be maintained in the taanka to ensure that the cistern walls remain moist, avoiding the development of cracks and other physical defects. If well maintained, a taanka has a service life of at least for 30 years.<ref>Vangani, N. S., et al. ''Tanka—A Reliable System of Rainwater Harvesting in the Indian Desert''. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1988, <nowiki>http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/60-(TANKA-A%20RELIABLE%20SYSTEM%20OF%20RAINWATER%20).pdf</nowiki></ref>		Taanka require cleaning at least once a year, typically before the onset of the monsoon. This includes desilting the taanka cistern, sweeping the micro-catchment, and painting inlets and the outlet to keep the system in good working condition. Periodic dosing with [[Oxidizing agent\|oxidizing agents]], such as [[potassium permanganate]], helps prevent the growth of microscopic organisms and the consequent development of bad taste, odor and color in the water. Alum additions also help to settle suspended matter. At least a few centimetres of water should always be maintained in the taanka to ensure that the cistern walls remain moist, avoiding the development of cracks and other physical defects. If well maintained, a taanka has a service life of at least for 30 years.<ref>Vangani, N. S., et al. ''Tanka—A Reliable System of Rainwater Harvesting in the Indian Desert''. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1988, <nowiki>http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/60-(TANKA-A%20RELIABLE%20SYSTEM%20OF%20RAINWATER%20).pdf</nowiki></ref>

	==Usage in Present Day==		==Usage in Present Day==
Line 42:		Line 44:
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}
	*''Traditional Water Resource Management Through Innovative Techniques'', Rajendra Kumar, Jodhpur 2009		*''Traditional Water Resource Management Through Innovative Techniques'', Rajendra Kumar, Jodhpur 2009
	*[[Anupam Mishra]] (1995), ~~“Rajasthan~~ ki rajat ~~bunde”~~, Published by Gandhi Shanti Prathisthan, New Delhi.		*[[Anupam Mishra]] (1995), "Rajasthan ki rajat bunde", Published by Gandhi Shanti Prathisthan, New Delhi.
	*Pravesh Kumar (2007), ~~“Importance~~ of water harvesting in ~~Rajasthan”~~, Water Wheel, August 2007, P 5-7.		*Pravesh Kumar (2007), "Importance of water harvesting in Rajasthan", Water Wheel, August 2007, P 5-7.
	*D.C. Ojha (1997), ~~“Thar~~ Desert: An Overview of ~~Desertification”~~, ENVIS Centre on Desertification, Central Arid Zone Research Institute.		*D.C. Ojha (1997), "Thar Desert: An Overview of Desertification", ENVIS Centre on Desertification, Central Arid Zone Research Institute.
	*Bharat Jhunjhunwala (2005), ''Traditional Agricultural and water technologies of the Thar'', Kalpaz Publications		*Bharat Jhunjhunwala (2005), ''Traditional Agricultural and water technologies of the Thar'', Kalpaz Publications
	*Madhukar Gupta (2002), ~~“Drought~~ Management in ~~Rajasthan”~~, Report of District Collector & Magistrate, Nagaur, Rajasthan, India.		*Madhukar Gupta (2002), "Drought Management in Rajasthan", Report of District Collector & Magistrate, Nagaur, Rajasthan, India.

	==External links==		==External links==

CleanupBot: clean up

2022-01-04T06:23:38Z

clean up

imported>Pizza0614: removed Category:Rajasthan using HotCat

2021-07-23T17:07:36Z

removed Category:Rajasthan using HotCat

New page

{{More footnotes|date=November 2019}}
[[File:Rainwater harvesting tank, India.jpg|thumb|right|300px| The Tanka]]
A '''taanka''', are also known as a '''tanka''' or '''kunds''', is a traditional [[rainwater harvesting]] technique, common to the [[Thar desert]] region of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>''Rainwater harvesting in rural India - taankas in the Thar Desert'', by [[Megan Konar]], Waterlines, Volume 25, Number 4, April 2007, pp. 22-24(3). Publisher: Practical Action Publishing.</ref> It is meant to provide [[drinking water]] for and water security for a family or a small group of families. A taanka is composed of a covered, underground, impermeable [[cistern]] on shallow ground for the collection of rainwater. The cistern is generally constructed out of stone or brick masonry, or concrete, with lime mortar or cement plaster. Rainwater or surface run-off from rooftops, courtyards, or artificially prepared [[Catchment|catchments]] (locally called ''agor'') flow into the tank through filtered inlets in the wall of the pit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=B-NjyAz7OygC&pg=RA1-PA421&dq=Taanka++rainwater+harvesting&as_brr=0 Rainwater Harvesting Structures: 1: Taanka] ''Indian Villages 2020 (in 2 Volumes)vision And Mission (vol. 1)strategies And Suggested Development Models (vol 2), Y.P. Singh (ed.). Concept Publishing Company, 2006. {{ISBN|818069321X}}. ''Page 421 ''.</ref><ref>[http://www.iwahq.org/uploads/sgs/sg%20on%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20management/full%20papers/Indiana.doc Community initiatives in capturing rain through terrain-specific technologies: examples from India] IWA [[International Water Association]] website</ref>

The water stored saves people from the daily task of walking long distances to fetch water from sources which are often contaminated. The water in a taanka is usually only used for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and household taankas do not get filled, water would instead be obtained from nearby wells and tanks to fill the taankas.

==History==
Taankas were usually constructed near religious centers and in villages for community usage due to the belief in the sanctity of water. This preservation technique is an ancient practice dating back to at least 1607 A.D. near Jodhpur.<ref>''Water Harvesting & Management''. Vol. Improving Land Management in Rajasthan, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref><ref>Mishra, Anupam. “Water Use: Traditional Systems and Practices.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003</ref>

However, people now generally prefer to construct taankas locally in each hamlet and are owned and maintained by individual families. This shift is mainly due to dominant groups monopolizing or taking disproportionate shares of communal water, marginalizing the needs of poor and lower [[caste]]. Generally, community structures now fail through underinvestment leading to poor workmanship and aftercare.{{fact|date=August 2020}}

The technique was largely abandoned in the later 20th century as pipes lines or [[Hand pump|hand pumps]] were laid to transport water from [[Indira Gandhi Canal|Perennial Rajasthan Canal]] to their houses, though some houses still maintain the tankas since they do not like the taste of [[tap water]]. When the region was faced with [[Drought in India|drought]]-like situations, inadequate supplies of piped water on the account of growing population, and depleted or contaminated ground water, this traditional method was revived, along with other traditional rainwater harvesting structures like, ''Naadi'', a village pond and ''Beri'', a small rainwater-collecting wells, especially for supplying drinking water.

Though originally found in the [[Thar desert|desert towns]], the system has since gained immense popularity in rural areas. In [[Phalodi]], [[Barmer district|Barmer]] and [[Balotra]] region, rural taankas were found that were 6.1 meters (20 ft) deep, 4.27 meters (14 ft) long and 2.44 meters (8 ft) wide. This technique of harvesting rainwater was perfected to a fine art in the arid regions of western [[Rajasthan]]. Such water harvesting structures have also been reported being built in other arid [[Developing country|developing countries]] such as [[Botswana]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Yemen]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref name=":1">Mahnot, S. C., and P. K. Singh. “Arid Zone Water Harvesting.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref>

[[Bikaner]] was founded by [[Rao Bika]] in 1488 AD. The choice of Bikaner as an urban center seems to have been strongly influence by the availability of tracts of mudiya kanker, also known as murrum (मूरड़), a particular set of gravel and dirt which compacts easily when mike with water and possesses excellent run off characteristics. This facilitated rainwater harvesting through an elaborate network of taankas.<ref name=":2">''Water Harvesting Systems : Traditional Systems''. <nowiki>http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/Traditional2.htm#tank</nowiki>. Accessed 30 Dec. 2019.</ref>

== Construction ==
Traditional family-managed taankas are constructed by digging a hole of 3 to 4.25 meter diameter in the ground and plastering it with lime mortar cement about 6 mm thick, followed by a cement plaster of about 3 mm thickness. Most modern taankas have a capacity of around 21,000 liters but larger ones can be constructed where resources are available.<ref name=":1" />

Commonly, the catchment area, known as an agor, is a concave cemented funnel-like slope directing water into a collection pit that reduces the sediment load of water before it enters the underground cistern via a suitable mesh supported by bars in an angle iron frame to filter out other large debris. The micro-catchment avoids seepage and prevents erosion, and is fenced to restrict animal entry. The bottom of the cistern is also concave facilitating extraction of the maximum amount of water from the taanka. The cistern has a top cover to prevent evaporation and pollution of stored water by foreign matter. A [[Galvanization|galvanised]] iron cover is built into the cover to facilitate withdrawal of water. Taanka covers are ventilated, helping to prevent bad odor in the stored water. Outlets are provided to allow excess water falling during the [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] to escape.

Taankas are often beautifully decorated with tiles, which also keep the water cool.<ref name=":2" />

== Usage and Maintenance ==
Taanka require cleaning at least once a year, typically before the onset of the monsoon. This includes desilting the taanka cistern, sweeping the micro-catchment, and painting inlets and the outlet to keep the system in good working condition. Periodic dosing with [[Oxidizing agent|oxidizing agents]], such as [[potassium permanganate]], helps prevent the growth of microscopic organisms and the consequent development of bad taste, odor and color in the water. Alum additions also help to settle suspended matter. At least a few centimetres of water should always be maintained in the taanka to ensure that the cistern walls remain moist, avoiding the development of cracks and other physical defects. If well maintained, a taanka has a service life of at least for 30 years.<ref>Vangani, N. S., et al. ''Tanka—A Reliable System of Rainwater Harvesting in the Indian Desert''. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1988, <nowiki>http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/60-(TANKA-A%20RELIABLE%20SYSTEM%20OF%20RAINWATER%20).pdf</nowiki></ref>

==Usage in Present Day==
In towns around Bikaner, there was an abundance of tanks. The most important ones being at [[Kolayat]] with a catchment area of {{convert|14,900|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, Gajner {{convert|12,950|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, and Ganga sarovar with {{convert|7,950|ha|acre}}. The water needs of the town were met by the innumerable tanks in and around Bikaner, together with the wells and taankas that each house traditionally built for harvesting rainwater from the roof tops. The water from the taankas was used only for drinking purposes. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and the taankas did not get filled, water from proximal wells and tanks would be obtained to fill the household taankas. In this way, the people of Bikaner were able to meet their water requirements.

==See also==
* [[Bawdi]]
* [[Check dam]]
* [[Cistern]]
* [[Johad]]
* [[Subak (irrigation)]]
* [[Water tank]]
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]] (AFRI)
* [[Central Arid Zone Research Institute]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*''Traditional Water Resource Management Through Innovative Techniques'', Rajendra Kumar, Jodhpur 2009
*[[Anupam Mishra]] (1995), “Rajasthan ki rajat bunde”, Published by Gandhi Shanti Prathisthan, New Delhi.
*Pravesh Kumar (2007), “Importance of water harvesting in Rajasthan”, Water Wheel, August 2007, P 5-7.
*D.C. Ojha (1997), “Thar Desert: An Overview of Desertification”, ENVIS Centre on Desertification, Central Arid Zone Research Institute.
*Bharat Jhunjhunwala (2005), ''Traditional Agricultural and water technologies of the Thar'', Kalpaz Publications
*Madhukar Gupta (2002), “Drought Management in Rajasthan”, Report of District Collector & Magistrate, Nagaur, Rajasthan, India.

==External links==
*[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/features/parched/india.htm Thirsty Communities - Harvesting the Rains in Rajasthan] at [[Radio National]]

[[Category:Water conservation in India]]
[[Category:Thar Desert]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 4 January 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{More footnotes\|date=November 2019}}		{{More footnotes\|date=November 2019}}
	[[File:Rainwater harvesting tank, India.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\| The Tanka]]		[[File:Rainwater harvesting tank, India.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\| The Tanka]]
	A '''taanka''', are also known as a '''tanka''' or '''kunds''', is a traditional [[rainwater harvesting]] technique, common to the [[Thar desert]] region of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>''Rainwater harvesting in rural India - taankas in the Thar Desert'', by [[Megan Konar]], Waterlines, Volume 25, Number 4, April 2007, pp. 22-24(3). Publisher: Practical Action Publishing.</ref> It is meant to provide [[drinking water]] for and water security for a family or a small group of families. A taanka is composed of a covered, underground, impermeable [[cistern]] on shallow ground for the collection of rainwater. The cistern is generally constructed out of stone or brick masonry, or concrete, with lime mortar or cement plaster. Rainwater or surface run-off from rooftops, courtyards, or artificially prepared [[~~Catchment\|catchments~~]] (locally called ''agor'') flow into the tank through filtered inlets in the wall of the pit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=B-NjyAz7OygC&pg=RA1-PA421&dq=Taanka++rainwater+harvesting&as_brr=0 Rainwater Harvesting Structures: 1: Taanka] ''Indian Villages 2020 (in 2 Volumes)vision And Mission (vol. 1)strategies And Suggested Development Models (vol 2), Y.P. Singh (ed.). Concept Publishing Company, 2006. {{ISBN\|818069321X}}. ''Page 421 ''.</ref><ref>[http://www.iwahq.org/uploads/sgs/sg%20on%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20management/full%20papers/Indiana.doc Community initiatives in capturing rain through terrain-specific technologies: examples from India] IWA [[International Water Association]] website</ref>		A '''taanka''', are also known as a '''tanka''' or '''kunds''', is a traditional [[rainwater harvesting]] technique, common to the [[Thar desert]] region of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>''Rainwater harvesting in rural India - taankas in the Thar Desert'', by [[Megan Konar]], Waterlines, Volume 25, Number 4, April 2007, pp. 22-24(3). Publisher: Practical Action Publishing.</ref> It is meant to provide [[drinking water]] for and water security for a family or a small group of families. A taanka is composed of a covered, underground, impermeable [[cistern]] on shallow ground for the collection of rainwater. The cistern is generally constructed out of stone or brick masonry, or concrete, with lime mortar or cement plaster. Rainwater or surface run-off from rooftops, courtyards, or artificially prepared [[catchment]]s (locally called ''agor'') flow into the tank through filtered inlets in the wall of the pit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=B-NjyAz7OygC&pg=RA1-PA421&dq=Taanka++rainwater+harvesting&as_brr=0 Rainwater Harvesting Structures: 1: Taanka] ''Indian Villages 2020 (in 2 Volumes)vision And Mission (vol. 1)strategies And Suggested Development Models (vol 2), Y.P. Singh (ed.). Concept Publishing Company, 2006. {{ISBN\|818069321X}}. ''Page 421 ''.</ref><ref>[http://www.iwahq.org/uploads/sgs/sg%20on%20rainwater%20harvesting%20and%20management/full%20papers/Indiana.doc Community initiatives in capturing rain through terrain-specific technologies: examples from India] IWA [[International Water Association]] website</ref>

	The water stored saves people from the daily task of walking long distances to fetch water from sources which are often contaminated. The water in a taanka is usually only used for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and household taankas do not get filled, water would instead be obtained from nearby wells and tanks to fill the taankas.		The water stored saves people from the daily task of walking long distances to fetch water from sources which are often contaminated. The water in a taanka is usually only used for drinking. If in any year there was less than normal rainfall and household taankas do not get filled, water would instead be obtained from nearby wells and tanks to fill the taankas.
Line 10:		Line 10:
	However, people now generally prefer to construct taankas locally in each hamlet and are owned and maintained by individual families. This shift is mainly due to dominant groups monopolizing or taking disproportionate shares of communal water, marginalizing the needs of poor and lower [[caste]]. Generally, community structures now fail through underinvestment leading to poor workmanship and aftercare.{{fact\|date=August 2020}}		However, people now generally prefer to construct taankas locally in each hamlet and are owned and maintained by individual families. This shift is mainly due to dominant groups monopolizing or taking disproportionate shares of communal water, marginalizing the needs of poor and lower [[caste]]. Generally, community structures now fail through underinvestment leading to poor workmanship and aftercare.{{fact\|date=August 2020}}

	The technique was largely abandoned in the later 20th century as pipes lines or [[~~Hand~~ pump~~\|hand pumps~~]] were laid to transport water from [[Indira Gandhi Canal\|Perennial Rajasthan Canal]] to their houses, though some houses still maintain the tankas since they do not like the taste of [[tap water]]. When the region was faced with [[Drought in India\|drought]]-like situations, inadequate supplies of piped water on the account of growing population, and depleted or contaminated ground water, this traditional method was revived, along with other traditional rainwater harvesting structures like, ''Naadi'', a village pond and ''Beri'', a small rainwater-collecting wells, especially for supplying drinking water.		The technique was largely abandoned in the later 20th century as pipes lines or [[hand pump]]s were laid to transport water from [[Indira Gandhi Canal\|Perennial Rajasthan Canal]] to their houses, though some houses still maintain the tankas since they do not like the taste of [[tap water]]. When the region was faced with [[Drought in India\|drought]]-like situations, inadequate supplies of piped water on the account of growing population, and depleted or contaminated ground water, this traditional method was revived, along with other traditional rainwater harvesting structures like, ''Naadi'', a village pond and ''Beri'', a small rainwater-collecting wells, especially for supplying drinking water.

	Though originally found in the [[Thar desert\|desert towns]], the system has since gained immense popularity in rural areas. In [[Phalodi]], [[Barmer district\|Barmer]] and [[Balotra]] region, rural taankas were found that were 6.1 meters (20 ft) deep, 4.27 meters (14 ft) long and 2.44 meters (8 ft) wide. This technique of harvesting rainwater was perfected to a fine art in the arid regions of western [[Rajasthan]]. Such water harvesting structures have also been reported being built in other arid [[Developing country\|developing countries]] such as [[Botswana]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Yemen]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref name=":1">Mahnot, S. C., and P. K. Singh. “Arid Zone Water Harvesting.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref>		Though originally found in the [[Thar desert\|desert towns]], the system has since gained immense popularity in rural areas. In [[Phalodi]], [[Barmer district\|Barmer]] and [[Balotra]] region, rural taankas were found that were 6.1 meters (20 ft) deep, 4.27 meters (14 ft) long and 2.44 meters (8 ft) wide. This technique of harvesting rainwater was perfected to a fine art in the arid regions of western [[Rajasthan]]. Such water harvesting structures have also been reported being built in other arid [[Developing country\|developing countries]] such as [[Botswana]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya]], [[Yemen]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].<ref name=":1">Mahnot, S. C., and P. K. Singh. “Arid Zone Water Harvesting.” ''Water Harvesting and Management'', Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2003.</ref>

	[[Bikaner]] was founded by [[Rao Bika]] in 1488 AD. The choice of Bikaner as an urban center seems to have been strongly influence by the availability of tracts of mudiya kanker, also known as murrum (मूरड़), a particular set of gravel and dirt which compacts easily when mike with water and possesses excellent run off characteristics. This facilitated rainwater harvesting through an elaborate network of taankas.<ref name=":2">''Water Harvesting Systems : Traditional Systems''. <nowiki>http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/Traditional2.htm#tank</nowiki>. Accessed 30 Dec. 2019.</ref>		[[Bikaner]] was founded by [[Rao Bika]] in 1488 AD. The choice of Bikaner as an urban center seems to have been strongly influence by the availability of tracts of mudiya kanker, also known as murrum (मूरड़), a particular set of gravel and dirt which compacts easily when mike with water and possesses excellent run off characteristics. This facilitated rainwater harvesting through an elaborate network of taankas.<ref name=":2">''Water Harvesting Systems : Traditional Systems''. <nowiki>http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/Traditional2.htm#tank</nowiki>. Accessed 30 Dec. 2019.</ref>

	== Construction ==		== Construction ==
	Traditional family-managed taankas are constructed by digging a hole of 3 to 4.25 meter diameter in the ground and plastering it with lime mortar cement about 6 mm thick, followed by a cement plaster of about 3 mm thickness. Most modern taankas have a capacity of around 21,000 liters but larger ones can be constructed where resources are available.<ref name=":1" />		Traditional family-managed taankas are constructed by digging a hole of 3 to 4.25 meter diameter in the ground and plastering it with lime mortar cement about 6 mm thick, followed by a cement plaster of about 3 mm thickness. Most modern taankas have a capacity of around 21,000 liters but larger ones can be constructed where resources are available.<ref name=":1" />

	Commonly, the catchment area, known as an agor, is a concave cemented funnel-like slope directing water into a collection pit that reduces the sediment load of water before it enters the underground cistern via a suitable mesh supported by bars in an angle iron frame to filter out other large debris. The micro-catchment avoids seepage and prevents erosion, and is fenced to restrict animal entry. The bottom of the cistern is also concave facilitating extraction of the maximum amount of water from the taanka. The cistern has a top cover to prevent evaporation and pollution of stored water by foreign matter. A [[Galvanization\|galvanised]] iron cover is built into the cover to facilitate withdrawal of water. Taanka covers are ventilated, helping to prevent bad odor in the stored water. Outlets are provided to allow excess water falling during the [[Monsoon of South Asia\|monsoon]] to escape.		Commonly, the catchment area, known as an agor, is a concave cemented funnel-like slope directing water into a collection pit that reduces the sediment load of water before it enters the underground cistern via a suitable mesh supported by bars in an angle iron frame to filter out other large debris. The micro-catchment avoids seepage and prevents erosion, and is fenced to restrict animal entry. The bottom of the cistern is also concave facilitating extraction of the maximum amount of water from the taanka. The cistern has a top cover to prevent evaporation and pollution of stored water by foreign matter. A [[Galvanization\|galvanised]] iron cover is built into the cover to facilitate withdrawal of water. Taanka covers are ventilated, helping to prevent bad odor in the stored water. Outlets are provided to allow excess water falling during the [[Monsoon of South Asia\|monsoon]] to escape.
Line 24:		Line 24:

	== Usage and Maintenance ==		== Usage and Maintenance ==
	Taanka require cleaning at least once a year, typically before the onset of the monsoon. This includes desilting the taanka cistern, sweeping the micro-catchment, and painting inlets and the outlet to keep the system in good working condition. Periodic dosing with [[~~Oxidizing~~ agent~~\|oxidizing agents~~]], such as [[potassium permanganate]], helps prevent the growth of microscopic organisms and the consequent development of bad taste, odor and color in the water. Alum additions also help to settle suspended matter. At least a few centimetres of water should always be maintained in the taanka to ensure that the cistern walls remain moist, avoiding the development of cracks and other physical defects. If well maintained, a taanka has a service life of at least for 30 years.<ref>Vangani, N. S., et al. ''Tanka—A Reliable System of Rainwater Harvesting in the Indian Desert''. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1988, <nowiki>http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/60-(TANKA-A%20RELIABLE%20SYSTEM%20OF%20RAINWATER%20).pdf</nowiki></ref>		Taanka require cleaning at least once a year, typically before the onset of the monsoon. This includes desilting the taanka cistern, sweeping the micro-catchment, and painting inlets and the outlet to keep the system in good working condition. Periodic dosing with [[oxidizing agent]]s, such as [[potassium permanganate]], helps prevent the growth of microscopic organisms and the consequent development of bad taste, odor and color in the water. Alum additions also help to settle suspended matter. At least a few centimetres of water should always be maintained in the taanka to ensure that the cistern walls remain moist, avoiding the development of cracks and other physical defects. If well maintained, a taanka has a service life of at least for 30 years.<ref>Vangani, N. S., et al. ''Tanka—A Reliable System of Rainwater Harvesting in the Indian Desert''. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1988, <nowiki>http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/60-(TANKA-A%20RELIABLE%20SYSTEM%20OF%20RAINWATER%20).pdf</nowiki></ref>

	==Usage in Present Day==		==Usage in Present Day==