Ground Water Harvesting through Traditional Water Harvesting Technology: Adopting Himalayan Practices in Ethiopian Highlands
- 1 School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
- 2 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
- 3 School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Abstract
The fresh water system is most critical for sustainability of life. In present days the world is facing a shortage of potable water. Though Ethiopia is known as “The water tower of East Africa” yet it is facing sever e water shortage that leads to poor agricultural productivity and imparts serious negative impact on human lives. It is essential to develop water resources in a sustainable way to ensure food security and economic development. The water scarcity is due to the lack of resource management and due to the changes in environmental factors. In Ethiopia ground water is a major source of drinking water to vast rural population. The country’s perennial water budget depends on the ground and spring water system. The ever increasing population, mismanagement and global climatic changes are having an adverse impact on these resources. To harvest the available resources in a sustainable way will help to meet the needs of present era without compromising the future generation. The present study is an approach to compare and utilize the traditional water harvesting practices of Himalaya in Ethiopian highlands. A detailed study of the water sources and mechanism of ground water, geology and social management system of their water resources were studied booth side. Further application of the indigenous technical knowledge for sustainable of the ground water is proposed based on Himalayan practices. The Ethiopian “Minches” could be preserved and better utilized by adopting the merits of time tested indigenous management system of “Naule” of Himalaya.
- IPCC, “Climate Change: Synthesis Report,” 2007.
- UNFCCC, “UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation in Developing Countries,” 2007.
- N. Valerie, “Water Security in Ethiopia. Risks and Vulnerabilities Assessment,” Global Water Institute for Africa Climate Change Environment and Security, No. 2, 2011, pp. 1-15.
- R. C. Calow, N. S. Robins, A. M. Macdonald, D. J. Macdonald, B. R. Gibbs, W. R. G. Orpen, P. Mtembezeka and S. O. Appiah, “Groundwater Management in Drought-Prone Areas of Africa,” Water Resources Development, Vol. 13, No. 2, 1997, pp. 241-261. doi:10.1080/07900629749863
- L. F. Konikow and E. Kendy, “Ground Water Depletion: A Global Problem,” Springer, 2005, pp. 317-321.
- K. S. Waldiya and S. K. Bartarya, “Hydrogeological Studies of Springs in the Catchment of the Gaula River, Kumaon Himalaya, India,” Mountain Research and Development, Vol. 11, 1991, pp. 239-258. doi:10.2307/3673618
- A. K. Singh and D. S. Rawat, “Depletion of Oak Forest Threatening Springs: An Exploratory Survey,” The National Geographic Journal of India, Vol. 31, No. 1, 1995, pp. 44-48.
- R. Hugo, “Ponds Filled with Challenges. Water Harvesting Experiences in Amhara and Tigry,” UNOCHA-Ethiopia. Assessment Mission, 2003.
- D. K. Dube, “Environmental Changes and Their Impact on Women Life in Rural Kumaon. A Search for Sustainable Development,” Ph.D. Thesis, Kumaon University, Nainital, 2003.
- A. K. Singh and R. K. Pandey, “Change in the Spring Activity: Experience of Kumaon Himalaya, India,” The Environmentalist, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1987, pp. 25-29. doi:10.1007/BF02242478
- S. Yilama and K. Yusuf, “Water Harvesting Technologies, a challenge to Ethiopia,” ILRI, Addis Ababa, 2005.