CONTEXT

• Nearly 1200 years ago, people in Bengaluru began constructing kalyanis (stepwells) and keres (lakes) to capture and store rainwater which is predominantly based on Monsoon rain
• This ancient water conservation practice was essential for sustaining the city’s water needs, earning Bengaluru the title of the ‘city of thousand lakes.’

THE WELL CULTURE: A DEEP DIVE INTO INDIA’S WATER HERITAGE

Historical Significance of Wells

• Wells have been an integral part of India’s water heritage since ancient times, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilizations.
• Studies highlight the prevalence of wells in historical sites like Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, and Keeladi, emphasizing a deep-rooted “well culture” in Indian society.

Bengaluru’s Water Landscape

• In Bengaluru, alongside open wells, man-made tanks have also contributed significantly to the city’s water resources.
• The city boasts three major valleys and approximately 186 remaining keres (lakes), each with its unique characteristics and water potential.

Diversity of Keres in Bengaluru

• Vrishabhavati Valley: Keres in this valley tend to be small yet deep, reflecting the geological features of the region.
• Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley and Hebbal Valley: Here, keres are shallow, wide, and large, exemplified by iconic lakes like Bellandur and Jakkur.

Water Potential and Variability

• Each kere and valley in Bengaluru has distinct water characteristics and potential.
• While some keres may currently hold water, others have the potential for water storage or can be revitalized for sustainable water management.

Importance of Water Conservation

• Recognizing the historical significance of wells and keres, there is a growing emphasis on water conservation and sustainable practices.
• Efforts to preserve and restore these water bodies align with broader initiatives for environmental conservation and responsible water management.

Future Outlook

• Insights underscore the need to acknowledge and leverage India’s rich well culture and water heritage for addressing contemporary water challenges.
• As Bengaluru continues to evolve, strategies that integrate traditional water systems with modern technologies are crucial for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability.

EVOLUTION OF KERE-BAVI HERITAGE

Historical Significance

• Pre-Kempegowda Era: The history of keres (lakes) in Karnataka predates Kempegowda, as evidenced by inscription stones.
• Command Area Principle: Keres were designed with a rule that the water-spread area should equal the command area, ensuring efficient irrigation.

Agricultural Practices

• Paddy Cultivation: Keres primarily supported paddy cultivation, with water quickly converted to paddy and stored for up to three years.
• Role of Women: Women played a significant role in fieldwork, especially in paddy cultivation, highlighting gender dynamics in traditional agricultural practices.

Management and Distribution

• Neerugantis: These water managers efficiently distributed water to fields, allowing farmers to focus on planting and harvesting while leaving water management to experts.
• Role of Wells: Wells within the command area were critical, as they facilitated water distribution and provided additional irrigation sources.

Water Security and Feudal Constructs

• Kere-Bavi System: The combined kere-bavi system ensured water security in the region, vital for agricultural sustainability.
• Feudal Dynamics: However, keres were also feudal constructs, benefiting landowners and potentially exacerbating social inequities.

Modern Perspectives

• Social Hydrology: There is need for a modern approach where equity in water access, groundwater recharge, and environmental benefits are prioritized.
• Equitable Access: Ensuring equitable access to groundwater beyond the command area is crucial for mitigating historical inequities.

Importance of Desilting

• Comprehensive Approach: There is a need to desilt not just keres but also poshakaluves (inlet channels) and raja kaluves (outlet channels) that contribute to water inflow and outflow in lakes.
• Holistic Maintenance: Desilting these interconnected water channels ensures efficient water circulation and storage in the ecosystem.

Historical Context: The Great Famine

• Devastating Impact: The great famine of 1876-78 in the princely state of Mysore resulted in significant loss of life, particularly in Bengaluru where close to 1 lakh people died due to hunger and thirst.
• Role of Keres: Despite Bengaluru’s 1,000 keres, the city struggled to support its population during prolonged droughts, highlighting the limitations of local water sources.

Shift Towards Modern Water Management

• Hesaraghatta Water Supply Scheme: Post-famine, Bengaluru prioritized water security by implementing the Hesaraghatta water supply scheme in 1896, marking the city’s first piped water system.
• Expansion of Water Infrastructure: Subsequent projects like the TG Halli and Cauvery pipelines further enhanced Bengaluru’s water supply, reducing dependency on local water sources alone.

Caution Against Over-Romanticization

• Realistic Perspective: Studies cautions against over-romanticizing keres as the sole solution to modern water challenges, highlighting the need for diversified water sources and infrastructure.
• Resilience During Drought: While keres can mitigate short-term water shortages, prolonged droughts necessitate robust water management strategies beyond traditional methods.

Evolving Water Management Practices

• Integrated Approach: Today’s water management strategies involve a mix of traditional and modern methods, including desilting, infrastructure development, and sustainable water use practices.
• Adaptive Solutions: Adapting to changing climate patterns and population growth requires continuous innovation in water management and conservation.

REINVENTING KERES IN MODERN CITIES: A NEW ROLE FOR WATER SUSTAINABILITY

Shifting Perspectives

• Lifeline of Cities: While the Cauvery River remains a crucial lifeline, local water sources gain importance, especially in areas without extensive piped water networks.
• New Role for Keres: Keres now have a transformative role by being filled with treated wastewater, ensuring year-round water availability instead of seasonal reliance.

Ecological and Accessible Solutions

• Supplementary Role: Keres and bavis serve as supplementary water sources, supporting ecological balance and microclimate regulation.
• Accessibility and Equity: By embracing treated wastewater, the kere-bavi system becomes more accessible and just, benefiting both people and nature.

Successful Revival in Devanahalli

• Revived System: In Devanahalli, the kere-bavi system was revived with the involvement of traditional well diggers, providing potable water through a water treatment plant.
• Climate Resilience: The water generated from this system is climate-resilient, breaking the stigma associated with wastewater through effective treatment and visible cleanliness.

Agricultural Utilization

• Kolar’s Example: Lakshmi Sagara Lake in Kolar exemplifies the use of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Emergency Measures and Long-term Solutions

• Interim Solution: While the ideal scenario is full connectivity to the Cauvery network, utilizing keres with treated wastewater serves as an emergency measure to bridge water gaps during the transition.

CONCLUSION

Forward-Thinking Solutions: Embracing treated wastewater in keres represents a forward-thinking approach to water sustainability, combining traditional systems with modern technologies for a resilient and inclusive water management strategy.