Abstract: Water conservation is important for ‘ecological sustainability’ therefore what we consume needs to be replenished back in some way. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) system is one such conservation policy and it uses the principle of conserving rainwater. In the process we help in the recharge of groundwater. Traditional RWH systems were built to suit the specific environments in which they evolved and worked efficiently in different economic and political environments. The issue of water is not about scarcity but about its careful use and its equitable and distributed access. Water is our basis therefore water conservation is the need of the hour. Illegal boring has led to depletion of groundwater reserves. Not only this but urban water bodies which served the needs of the city since early  times are now dump yards for garbage and refuse. Since surface water bodies are getting polluted by the day and usage of this water is only possible after thorough treatment, people opt for ground water resources since  treatment of water is also an expensive proposition.
Lessons can be derived from traditional practices of water usage and its conservation. To be able to implement RWH techniques in the present day we can look at some traditional rainwater harvesting systems in various parts of India to get a few practical lessons in the methodology. Lessons can be taken from places like Zings of Ladakh, Khuls of Jammu in NorthIndia, Naula or Hauzi in the hills of Uttar Pradesh, practices of Northeastern states like Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland, The Baoris, jhalaras and tankas of Rajasthan and kulams of Tamil Nadu. The Research paper will emphasize on the traditional methods of rainwater harvesting and their regional innovations from which the practice of rainwater harvesting is applicable in  the urban situations of the country. This will be aimed at achieving not only water conservation but also restoration of traditions and clues for working out desirable solutions.


Keywords: Water resources, Water conservation, Rainwater harvesting (RWH), Traditional  practices, urban storm water managment