4 - Practical Systems for Dew Harvest

Summary

In this chapter practical systems of dew harvest are discussed. Shortage of drinking water in Kutch is illustrated first. It is followed by description of housing in villages and other physical aspects that would bear on the choice of harvest systems. Systems for individual families and also for larger groups and community are presented. Procedures for site selection, construction and installation are described.

Drinking Water Shortage in Kutch

Rainfall in Kutch region is erratic and low. On an average the district receives about 400 mm of rains. In comparison the mean annual pan evaporation is about 2000 mm. This makes the area arid and hot. Such an ambience combined with windy conditions causes surface sources of water, which are few and far between, to dry-up quickly (Figure 4.1 and 4.2). Meteorological data of Kutch can be seen in Appendix -3. The ground water is of poor quality especially in the coastal belt. The problem of drinking water for humans as well as for the large population of livestock is chronic, widespread and sever. It is particularly acute in the coastal rim. One typical situation is described below.

Kothara Village

Kothara village is 85 km west of Bhuj (23° 16′ Lat N, 69° 40′E) near the coast of the Arabian Sea, which is just 20 km away. This village, with a population of 5,000, has its own piped water supply.