review of ancient tradition of ahar-pyne ......ahar-pyne irrigation system of bihar is one such...

International Journal for Research Under Literal Access IJRULA

301 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

REVIEW OF ANCIENT TRADITION OF AHAR-PYNE WATER

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, RELEVANCE IN PRESENT AND

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE

SHIVIKA AGGRAWAL

B.Tech (Honors) in Civil Engineering

Academy Of Business And Engineering Science, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

India is known for its civil ingenuity since ages and is reflected in architectural marvel we

have inherited from our forefathers. Among all these architectural creations and inventions,

India has acclaimed top notch when it comes to hydraulic structures built for water

management. These structures are region-specific and have peculiarities that are suitable for

the geographical and topographical conditions. AHAR-PYNE irrigation system of Bihar is

one such traditional water management and irrigation technology that continues to be

relevant even today as it was 3,000 years ago.

The purpose of this paper is threefold:

1. Review of ancient tradition of ahar- pyne water management system —to review the

history of this ancient but true wisdom from the beginning until now.

2. Assessment of AHAR-PYNE condition in present times and compare institutional

and management practices pre- and post- 19th century based on the studies

conducted.

3. Explore the possibility of revival and to suggest how this ancient technology can be

refined by leveraging new methods and technical developments.

Keywords: Ahar-pyne, traditional, water management, irrigation, technology, revival,

Bihar, India.

1. Introduction

India is known for its diversity and age-old traditions almost in every field and

this richness in terms of variety, technologies and traditional practices is also

visible in the field of hydraulics. Type of hydraulic structures constructed and

materials used varies from region to region depending upon the geographical

conditions. On one hand, where plains of northern India are covered with rich

fertile alluvium soil are drained by large rivers and their numerous tributaries;

on the other hand, relatively arid southern and central India with its only few

big rivers depend on man-made reservoirs. This is the reason why mega dams,

like Kallani Dam built across Cauvery river 2,000 years, dot the central and

southern landscape. In Northern and North-eastern India traditional means to

channelise water from Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries served as the

basis of water management system.


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Diversity is also evident when two states are compared and even when two

regions within the same state are considered. In the state of Bihar, southern

region receives relatively less rainfall as compared to the northern region

through which flows river Ganges. This led to a unique invention, locally

known as AHAR-PYNE, in the southern districts of Bihar as long as 3000

years ago. Ahar-pyne system is an indigenous irrigation technology, which

continues to irrigate substantial areas even today in South Bihar plains of

India. This system has evolved from an understanding of the particular agro-

climatic conditions of the region [1]. In this region of relatively low rainfall,

soil is either sandy or clayey and does not retain water. Also, the groundwater

levels remain low. Rivers like Son flowing through Aurangabad district in

southern Bihar swells up only during monsoon time. All these peculiar agro-

climatic conditions make floodwater harvesting the best suitable option for

sustainably using the valuable resource- Water.

Ahar-Pyne system is composed of two components-

1. Ahar which is reservoir with embankments on three sides, and

2. Pynes which are diversion channels constructed originating from rivers

that impound water in Ahar.

An ahar is a catchment basin embanked on three sides, the 'fourth' side being the

natural gradient of the land itself. Ahar beds were also used to grow a rabi

(winter) crop after draining out the excess water that remained after kharif

(summer) cultivation. Pynes are artificial channels constructed to utilise river

water in agricultural fields. Starting out from the river, pynes meander through

fields to end up in an ahar. Most pynes flow within 10 km of a river and their

length is not more than 20 km [2]. The general construction of Ahar Pyne system is shown as Fig. 1.


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Pynes, local name for water channels, are constructed by considering various

parameters like slope of terrain and location of crops grown. To construct

network of pynes well-connected with ahars is a labor-intensive job requiring

considerable amount of work and engineering skills. Routine upkeep work to

maintain water conveyance network is also both labor and time intensive.

These structures not only have relevance for sustainable water management per

se only but also has an important socio-economic relevance as it allows

community participation and distribution of responsibilities simultaneously

opening alternative avenues for earning a livelihood for local population. This

traditional system that came into existence decades ago is as relevant today as it

was then and perhaps even more given the water crisis and problems like water

pollution, scarcity and climate change.

2. Review of ancient tradition of ahar-pyne water management system

Ahar is made of combination of two Hindi words- ―Aa‖ meaning ―to come‖ and

―Har‖ meaning ―to capture‖; so Ahar means ―to capture the coming water‖ or

―to hold water‖. Since decades, the system is not just used to collect, store and

distribute water but also hold people from various castes and class together

resulting in group action for irrigation operation and maintenance. Therefore,

plays a vital role in maintaining village solidarity. It is not possible to pinpoint

the exact time when ahar-pyne system came into existence, but the historical

research and evidences show that these have existed in southern arid region of

Bihar as long as 3000 years ago. This ancient engineering is said to be evolved

in Mauryan Empire to bring water especially to the undulating and rocky

terrain of Magadh, the grain bowl of Bihar, in south-central Bihar. Historical

and archaeological evidences are testimony to the fact that this traditional

system of irrigation indigenous to southern Bihar was well-managed and looked

after in the Magadha kingdom. It is the result of past efforts that even today

most of the ahars that are found in region are at least 100 years old. The system

reached to its zenith in the district of Gaya where it has attained highest

development, testified by the presence of ahars like Machala ahar.

Ahar-pyne system of indigenous irrigation is historically the most important

source of irrigation in South Bihar and even today provides a shining example

of participatory irrigation management. This indigenous system is the outcome

of the natural conditions and physical configuration of the country, and has been

evolved to meet the obstacles which they place in the way of


304 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

cultivation.(O'Malley 1919: 144) There are three factors which are responsible

for the wide prevalence of this mode of irrigation in this region.

The region is characterized by-

(I) scanty rainfall,

(II) a rapid slope off which the water quickly runs, and

(III) a soil which is either a stiff clay or a loose sand equally unretentive of

moisture.[3]

Typical geographical features and agro-climatic conditions of the region form

the basic premise of the given design and structure of ahars and pynes. On the

basis of its physical features, Bihar state of India can be divided into three

regions - North Bihar plains, South Bihar plains (the area north and south of

Ganges respectively) and Bihar plateau also known as Chotanagpur plateau[4].

Bounded by Bihar plateau in the South and the Gangetic valley in the north,

South Bihar has a marked slope from south to north towards the Gangetic

valley and is comparatively rapid. A number of rivers debouch from the

southern hills and intersect the region as they flow across it from south to north

[Fig.2]. Since these rivers are rainfed, following the incidence of rainfall in

their catchment basins, the rivers swell up into rushing torrents and discharge

the rain water very quickly within hours through their sloping beds. As a result,

the water is either rapidly carried through the area (in case the soil is stiff clay)

or it percolates down through the land (in case the soil is sandy)[5]. Therefore,

in order to prevent the water being wasted, long narrow artificial canals called

pynes are led off from the rivers by means of which the river water is

transmitted to the fields. Further, the same rapid slope would facilitate the

wastage of the water if it were not impounded - in extensive reservoirs called

ahars, which are formed by constructing a series of retaining embankments

across the line of drainage[6]. Topography of Bihar is shown as Fig. 2.


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Pant in his extensive study titled INDIGENOUS IRRIGATION IN SOUTH BIHAR,

INDIA: A CASE OF CONGRUENCE OF BOUNDARIES posited that on casual

examination, the area would seem utterly unsuited for rice cultivation, both

from the nature of the surface and the comparative scantiness of the rainfall.

But both difficulties have been overcome by the ingenuity and industry of its

inhabitants, who have devised a system by which the natural drainage is

blocked and the water impounded for use and have also brought rivers into their

services by diverting the water they bring down [7].

These hydraulic structures had an important social significance as management

of and other related works to Ahar-Pyne tend to bring people from different

castes and class together for common good and benefit while maintaining the

dictates of societal rules of class-caste differentiation prevalent visibly at that

time. In earlier times, as described by Pant, Ahar-pynes work particularly the

one relating to maintenance and overseeing of water distribution was looked

after by three functionaries. These were headman, Barahill (supervisor)and

Gudait (watchman). A unique feature of ahar-pyne management system in

Jehanabad circle was that some posts were associated with particulars castes.

For instance only Dusadh scheduled caste persons were hired for the job of the

watchman. Similarly, the drum-beaters used to be from the Muslim caste of

Dafalis. Dusadhs were selected for the job of watchmen because they used to

be physically sturdy and their muscle power used to come handy in matters of

inter-village and intra-village disputes. Similarly call for goam (Collective

physical action) used to be made by beating of drums and the drum beatings

used to be done by dafalis [8]. Therefore, all cultivators, who used water from

the same pyne/ahar, irrespective of the location of their villages and castes used

to come together for collective action whenever required. This resulted in

solidarity among people in spite of non-porous barriers at the time of

adversities.

Thus, Ahar-Pyne [Fig.3] is geographically best-suited for irrigation and also to

control the torrential flow of flood waters by their dispersion at large scale

through pynes. These prudently designed pynes minimize the rush and speed of

floodwaters passing through South Bihar. When there is no rainfall or scanty

amount of rainfall, these pynes become the arteries of water criss-crossing the

paddy fields strategically. Therefore, the system provides two-fold objectives of

sustainable irrigation and prevention of drought and flood.


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Ahar Pyne system in Gaya, South Bihar

3. Current situation of Ahar-Pyne system

The ahar-pyne system received a death-blow under the nineteenth-century

British colonial regime. The post-independent state was hardly better. In 1949, a

Flood Advisory Committee investigating continuous floods in Bihar's Gaya

district came to the conclusion that "the fundamental reason for recurrence of

floods was the destruction of the old irrigational system in the district." The

system went into disuse because of siltation as well as encroachment by the

influential lot, adversely affecting the livelihood security of the local

population. [9]

Traditional systems of water management almost got defunct all over india

during the British rule. Floodwater capture system called Eri in Tamil Nadu met

the same fate. According to Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)-

―The early British rule saw disastrous experiments with the land tenure system

in quest for larger land revenues. The enormous expropriation of village

resources by the state led to the disintegration of the traditional society, its

economy and polity. Allocations for maintenance of eris could no longer be

supported by the village communities, and these extraordinary water harvesting

systems began to decline [10].‖

Area irrigated by this indigenous source has witnessed a constant decline [11].

The extent of decline can be gauged by the study of Table1.


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Table 1: area irrigated by ahar-pyne system

Source: Pant (2004)

Year

Area Irrigated

(Million Hectare)

Region Covered

1930 0.94

South Bihar 1971 0.64

1976 0.55

1997 053 Whole of Bihar

Various studies have been conducted to find reasons of decline in use of this

sustainable system. These reasons can be studied in contrast to the reasons that

were responsible for the success of the system. This comparison will help to find

the gap between what is required for revival of the system and what is the actual

ground status. It was in the 19th century when this system of water management

deteriorated as an outcome of colonial policies, so 19th century can be suitably

taken as a dividing time. This comparative study in pre- and post- 19th century

based on findings of Pant {2004}[12] and Pandey {2013} [13] is tabulated in

Table [2] .

Table 2: comparative study in pre- and post- 19th century with respect to factors

determining success/failure of ahar-pyne system and institutional and management

issues

Factors

determining

success/failure

of ahar-pyne

system

Reasons for success of Ahar-Pyne

system in pre-19th century

Reasons for decline of Ahar-Pyne since

19th century

Type

of land

holdings

And

Status of water

distribution

Fragmented land holdings and equity in

water distribution

- In whole of South Bihar and

adjoining areas, land holdings

of farmers in general were

small, fragmented and

Small landholdings, land reform system

and Conversion of Aahars into

agricultural field

- Land reform system initiated

by Government of India after

Independence aimed at re-


308 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

scattered.

- As a result, every landholder

in the command of a Pyne

had some land at the head,

some in the middle and some

at the tail of the irrigation

channel.

- So, all farmers had their plots

both in advantageous as well

as disadvantageous locations

- head, middle and tail.

- Therefore, to optimize their

irrigation, they would have to

take active participation in all

kinds of situations.

- This resulted in active

cooperation with one-another

and minimized the chances of

headreach-tailender conflicts.

- water distribution among

individual cultivators was

equitable as all farmers, rich

or poor and big or small, had

plots in head and tail

positions of pynes.This

ensured equitable share of

adequacy or shortage of

irrigation water by all

cultivators of the irrigation

command.

distribution of land to

landless and consolidation of

scattered and fragmented

lands. It was not just land that

was distributed but also Ahars

built on that were divided.

- Landless people who got land

were placed at one position

i.e. only at the head or tail or

only in the middle.

Consolidation also resulted

the same outcome.

- As a result, the chances of

headreach-tailender conflicts

increased and equity aspect of

water distribution became

flawed.

- Many of the ahars were also

converted into the

agricultural fields owing to

shortage of suitable land for

agriculture.

Irrigation

sources

Cheap source of irrigation

- In the past, ahar- pyne used to

be the cheapest and easiest

source of irrigation in the

region.

- It only required a collective

effort from the villagers and

in case of major repairs all

costs were borne by the

Government.

Development of new irrigation sources

- Development of new

irrigation sources, notably

canals and tube wells leading

to easy availability of water

made people lose interest in

ahar-pynes, which needed

community effort for upkeep

and maintenance.

- This was further aided by


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- Farmers did not have to pay

any water charges. Hence,

cultivators did not mind

working collectively for small

maintenance or to meet

emergencies like breach in

pyne or embankment, etc..

high doses of government

subsidies in case of private

tube wells.

- Ground-water through diesel-

based borings and electric

motors also suppressed the

traditional ahar-pyne

irrigation.

- All these developments and

abortive irrigation policies led

to the abandonment of

traditional reservoirs. The

scale of these developments

in terms of reach was not as

large as ahar-pyne system as

modern canals covered only a

small area. Also, the cost of

irrigation soared many times

affecting marginal and small

farmers.

Type of

agriculture

practised

And

nature of agri-

economy

Uniformity in cropping

- All farmers grew the same

crop (paddy) all over the

irrigation command around

the same dates.

- As a result, agricultural

operations undertaken by all

cultivators used to be similar

throughout the irrigation

command.

- This synchronization of

operations led to effective and

optimal collective use of

ahars and pyne.

Heading towards commercial farming

- With the commercialization

of agriculture, farmers grow

crop that are more revenue

fetching like garlic and ginger

on a large scale.

- Different farmers choose to

grow different cash crops

depending on the size of plot

and capital.

- This requires withdrawal of

water from Ahars at different

times to drain lands on which

cash crop are grown. This is

inconsistent with the actual

practice. Such practice has led

to decline of ahars and other

problems like increased

fallow land and reduction in

average production of paddy.


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Institutional and management issues

Collective

action

Collective action

All cultivators, who took water from

the same

pyne/ahar, irrespective of the

location of their villages and castes,

used to come together for collective

action whenever their irrigation was

affected or was likely to be affected.

Collective action marred by Social

problems

- Social stratification of village

and issues discussed above

has affected the collective

action.

- After abolition of zamindari

system, leadership required to

get all the farmers together

also lacked.

Distribution

of resources

Equity in allocation and distribution of

water

- Parabandi system was used

to distribute water among the

villages from a common

source (usually a pyne).

Parabandi is composed of two

words - para meaning turn

and bandi meaning fixation-

meaning fixation of turn.

- Each village had its fixed

turns of specified days and

hours to avail the water.

- These turns were assigned

according to mutual

agreements or ancient

customs.Testimonies to such

agreements are detailed

register called lal bahi (red

register), maintained in some

systems, specified the

irrigation rights of each

village.

Lack of convergence between old

systems and new schemes of irrigation

- Non-integration of indigenous

systems in new diversion

schemes undertaken by the

Irrigation Department coupled

with the land reforms were

major reasons for decline of

the system.

- Colonial administrators did

not have the understanding of

the value of this system. Post-

independence nothing

changed as irrigation and

land reforms undertaken such

as modernization and

mechanization of agriculture

and consolidation of land did

not integrate the traditional

systems. This holds true not

just for the state of Bihar but

was a pan-India phenomenon.

Community

participation

and

Community participation and

distribution of responsibilities under

central control

Abolition of the Zamindari System and

Absence of centralized authority


311 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

Distribution

of

responsibilities

- In the past, community

participation was extensive in

traditional irrigation

management. Collective

action was required both for

operational as well as

maintenance works.

- Community labour for repair,

called Goam in Bihar was an

established custom. Ahar-

pyne system was taken care

of by various functionaries

whose job and role were

decided on the basis of their

caste.For e.g. drum- call for

goam used to be done by

Dafalis- a Muslim

community.

- Zamindars provided

leadership needed to take care

of large water conveyance

system -pynes- extensively

spread over a large area as

greater than 30km covering

hundreds of villages and

irrigating thousands of acres

of land. Zamindars used to

appoint team of officers to

take care of pynes of their

region. This is the reason why

most of the large pynes were

constructed when land used to

be under the control of

zamindars.

- Zamindars (Land-lords) used

to regularly organize

maintenance and desilting of

ahar-pynes as they had capital

resources and a vested

interest.

- Tenants were required to pay

Gilandazi charges for

improvement of irrigation

works. After zamindari

abolition, there are no regular

budgeted funds for the repair

of these systems.

- Also the kind of leadership

required to put large number

of farmers under one umbrella

to get the work done

collectively also melted away.

Large pynes built earlier

could not sustain because of

their improper maintenance

and irregular or no repair.

- In the absence of centralized

authority Middlemen like

local contractors and land

mafias mislead and misguide

poor and ignorant farmers to

take any collective action as

this would reduce the

importance of these

middlemen. They try to

convince people that such

repair and maintenance is

need to be taken care of by

the government so that they

can make their own monetary

gains.

Responsibility

of Repair,

maintenance

and Aahar

Repair, maintenance and management

by Collective choice arrangement

Repair, maintenance and management

at present and dependence on

governance schemes


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management Repair and upkeep of ahar and its

water conveyance system is of two

types:

1. Major repairs- Landlords had

the responsibility of ahar-pyne

construction as well as major

repairs. Amount spent by the estate

was later realized from the farmers

in form of Gilandazi charges. This

was an excellent form of investment

as the returns were as high as

hundred percent.

2. Minor routine upkeep- This

involves periodic cleaning, desilting

and ordinary maintenance of the

water conveyance network before

the onset of monsoon which was

done by the cultivators themselves

under goam system. Other

important task is to keep constant

vigil, particularly during monsoon

against sudden damage of protective

works which may occur due to

natural cause or anthropogenic

reasons.

- Quality of these works used

to be good as those who were

engaged in the repairs were

themselves the beneficiaries.

- All these works were done

with economic prudence

using locally and easily

available material.E.g. mozar

obtained by mixing wet mud

with paddy straw was used in

the repairs of embankment,

including in raising its height

and was quite effective.

- Today even minor repair

works are undertaken by

Minor Irrigation Department

and not by the cultivators.

- As in the past farmers had to

pay for repair works under the

head of Gilandazi charges,

they don't have to pay any

such charges now.

- Though this has an advantage

that farmers have not to pay

any charges but a major

drawback is that this has

limited participation of

farmers.

- Poor management has led to

encroachment of pynes to be

used for various reasons like-

Roads on pynes [Fig.4]

- Most of the pynes have been

converted into roads as a

result of government schemes

for employment generation

like Jawahar Rozgar Yojna.

- Artificial channels -pynes- are

now used as roads and not

water conveyance structures

dysfunctionalizing the

traditional irrigation system.

Heavy siltation

- It is an outcome of poor and


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irregular maintenance coupled

with abortive modern

irrigation policies.

Deforestation has scaled up

the rate of siltation.

- In catchment areas -Ahars- 6

to 7 ft of silt accumulates due

to which water storage

capacity of ahars reduce

considerably. Not enough

water is available for paddy

cultivations as shallow water

collected in ahars evaporates

fast.

- Siltation in catchment areas

give farmers a reason to

convert pynes into

agricultural fields.

4. Future water management using Ahar-pyne system

Need to revive indigenous system

Need for going back to indigenous system is much felt now as climate change is

making headlines. Evidences on the field show that modern irrigation systems

has led to the decline of ground-water table and increased water-wastage.

Success stories of traditional methods used for water management on pilot basis

or on large scales with some modern modifications to suit the evolving and

changing needs has fuelled up the research in this field. Traditional means and

ways to conserve and manage water transform the theoretical concept of

sustainable development into real sustainable development with multi-

dimensional positive outcomes. Researchers and scholars from different fields

of environment, hydrology and irrigation, and civil engineering are revisiting

the old methods to study them in detail in order to gain knowledge for applying

them on field harmonious with nature.

Ahar-pyne system are in existence for centuries. All the ahar-pyne systems that

exist today are at least nearly hundred years old [14]. Reasons for its

sustainability in southern region of Bihar is due to two complementary reasons-

1. First, these systems utilize water which otherwise would be wasted.


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2. Second, these systems, particularly in the past, saved the plains of South

Bihar from the recurrent floods which otherwise would have devastated

the countryside regularly[15].

It is important to note that the ground realities today have changed in terms of

population, infrastructure like roads and urban development encroaching

agricultural fields, and agricultural patterns owing partly to climate change and

partly to anthropogenic causes. This require continuous efforts to be made in

research and development (R&D) and integrating technological innovations

with traditional wisdom like modernization of geological surveying method.

Traditional systems cannot be exactly replicated as the scenario has changed

in many ways. There is need to take them in account and reinvent these

systems by infusing new technologies.

Success stories and attempts made for revival of ahar-pyne system

Inhabitants of India, since time immemorial has worshipped nature. It is in the

conscience of all our citizens to respect and revere natural entities- plants,

rivers and animals- in one form or the other. Earth is regarded as Mother and

arteries of water flowing on her surface as Goddesses. Though ‘Sustainable’ as

a term of technical importance was coined first in 1962 by Rachel Carson in

her book Silent Spring which ushered the modern environmental movement and

later in 1972 received first international recognition at the UN Stockholm

Conference on the Human Environment, but it is a proven fact that

sustainability as ethos and value has always been there in indian tradition.

Seals found from ancient Harappan civilization and cave paintings of prehistoric

times found in Indian subcontinent reveal that nature has always been

worshipped and humans have always lived in a rhythmic harmony with nature.

Concern for nature is somewhat in-built in our countrymen owing to the rich

intangible heritage- traditional wisdom and practices- we have inherited. Such

innate concerns when transformed into reality leads to miraculous outcomes

[Fig.5-Fig.6].


315 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

Realizing importance of this traditional practice both state and central

government, non-governmental organizations and individuals are making a

headway to make ahar-pyne structures relevant and modern so that 360

degree development in sustainable way becomes the reality. Following are the

real stories of change and transformation that has revived and modernized the

ahar-pyne system.

1. Story of village Dihra in Aurangabad district of Bihar which took up the

initiative to rebuild and re-use the system [16]

- In 1995, some village youths realised that they could impound the waters

of the Pachuhuan (a seasonal stream passing through the village that

falls into the nearby river Punpun) and use its bed as a reservoir to meet

the village's irrigation needs.

- Money was collected and work began in May 1995. After a month of

shramdaan (voluntary labour) the villagers completed their work mid-

June.

- Their efforts have borne fruit. By 2000 AD, the ahar was irrigating 80 ha

of land. The people grow two cereal crops and one crop of vegetables

every year. The returns from the sale of what they produce are good. The

village is no longer a poor one.

2. Sacrifice of life made by Mahesh Kant and Sarita as documented in the project

Parampara spearheaded by Ministry of Culture of Government of India [17]

- Mahesh Kant and Sarita of the Institute of Research and Action (IRA), a

Patna based NGO, revolutionized the villagers' life by reviving an age-old

water harvesting system – ahar and pyne.

- They united the villagers from different castes and community, in this

naxalite dominated region and then imparted the lessons on water

conservation. They educated the villagers on the relevance of ahar and

pyne in the socio-economic well being of the local community.

- Persistent efforts started yielding its results after almost three years.

30,000 villagers from forty villages came together forgetting the caste

differences to revive Hadadwa pyne. The initiative has resulted in two

crops in a year (quite unusual few years back) resulting in additional

revenue. Most of the tube wells have water today, because of ahar which

recharges groundwater.

- There was very little external assistance for this initiative—most of the

work came in as shramdaan (voluntary labour).

- The villagers have also devised a management system in the form of

sinchai samiti --the irrigation committee-- which operates and maintains


316 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

ahar and pynes. Daily meetings are organized to finalize the day's plan of

action.

- It is unfortunate that Mahesh and Sarita were shot dead in 2004 by

region's land mafia, who consistently opposed IRA's work.

Unique projects like Parampara initiated by the central government motivates

and inspire people who want to bring in changes at grass-root level. As

described by The Ministry Of Culture- The Parampara project is an attempt to

provide a platform to showcase the efforts towards conservation of India's

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). It is also a step towards exploring the ICH

in the context of its linkage with environmental sustainability.

3. Efforts made by an inspirational teacher Rabindra Pathak- story covered by

Hindustan Times [18]

- The Magadh region, comprising 10 districts in south-central Bihar, was

reeling from its worst water crisis over a decade ago, forcing farmers to

board trains to distant cities such as New Delhi and Chandigarh and work

there as migrant labourers.

- Rainfall was scant, people had long abandoned traditional reservoirs that

caught and stored rainwater run-off, the water table in aquifers had

depleted from overuse, and modern irrigation canals covered only a

small area.

- The water crisis was so acute that people sold their houses in posh

localities at throwaway prices. The government promised to build a

100km canal from the Ganga, but the project failed.

- The crisis looked irreversible but Rabindra Pathak, who taught Pali and

Sanskrit at a college in Arwal, was certain that the answer lay in the long-

forgotten and crumbling aqueducts and water reservoirs that irrigated

the fields and fed ancient India’s most glorious empire. He pored

through old books and scriptures, and found that reviving the

dilapidated network of pynes and ahars was the lone solution.

- He got ample help from his professor-wife, Pramila, and trader Prabhat

Pandey. They persuaded villagers to form committees and donate

anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 1,000, depending on the size of

agricultural plots they owned, and revived the 125-km Jamune Dasain

pyne and 159-km Barki pyne.

- The impact was instantaneous and miraculous. The farm distress eased

significantly. People began to say the water system’s revival was the

second-best thing to have happened to Gaya after the Buddha’s

enlightenment. In Gaya, residents, officials, military and police personnel


317 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

joined the mission to build check dams and clear ponds of encroachment

and debris.

4. Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Foundation efforts in collaboration

with India Tobacco Company (ITC) [19]

- DHAN partnered with ITC, through its corporate social responsibility

(CSR) with emphasis on community actions for local development

launched the project ―Water and Livelihoods Security: Reviving

Traditional Ahar and Pyne System Irrigation in Munger Districts of

South Bihar‖ with a mission of addressing poverty through water and

agriculture interventions in poorly developed areas of Munger district.

- The farmers and agricultural labourers in a watershed are organised as

Village Level Association (VLA), i.e. Vayalagam. The VLA is the core

feature in identifying the Ahar and Pyne for renovation. The entire stake

is with the VLA to own, manage and govern the institution. 31

Vayalagams were promoted during 2016-17.

- Other than renovation work, the farmers were also facilitated to attend

training programmes on improved farm practices and technologies.

Such programmes have facilitated an increase in productivity, thus

addressing the food security-related issues.

- Availability of water, in turn, ensured food security and recharge of

groundwater in the South Bihar region. In four ahars, the VLA has

started fish rearing as there was abundant water because of the

renovation work. The project provided a cost-effective method of

irrigation for crops. By exploring new ideas and technologies,

accessibility to water is made certain.

5. Project Jal Sanchay conferred with National award for excellence [20]

- The Ministry of Rural Development selected Project Jal Sanchay for the

National Award for Excellence in the Mahatma Gandhi national rural

employment guarantee programme (MGNREGP).

- It started as an administrative initiative, but soon turned into a people's

movement.

- Under the project, check dams were created and traditional Ahar-Pyne

irrigation system and traditional water bodies were desilted and

renovated and campaigns were held for creating awareness about water

harvesting

- Traditional water conservation systems useful in water management and

in maintaining water table in the area were gathered from the local

farmers and incorporated into the project. As a result of this, a holistic

approach to the problem of water conservation was evolved, which was a


318 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

blend of modern day techniques and technologies with traditional

knowledge.

Variants of Ahar-pyne system in other states

Flood Water harvesting systems, for collecting and storing of superfluous river

water after the monsoon, existed all over the country under different names with

patterns specific to the topology and soil of each region. Variants of ahar-pyne

system are found in nearby state of Jharkhand where local name of the system is

nullah-tank.

Ahars of Churchu block [21]-

- Dominated by people belonging to Santhal, Munda and Oraon tribes and

marred by the problems of extremism and political activism, Churchu

block in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand is one of the most backward

block.

- Though the indigenous people do not recognize the term ahar and pyne

but prefer to use the term nullah for pyne to feed the tanks (ahars) and

use water from tanks into agricultural fields.

- There are differences between traditional floodwater harvesting ahar-

pne system of South Bihar and ahars of Churchu block as ahar beds

are not excavated as in case of tanks. In ahar, embankments around three

sides are built to retain water in the reservoir. These differences are result

of adaptation and modification according to particular locale, topography

and needs.

Recently, The ‗Revival of Ahar Pyne Systems (in Palamu district of

Jharkhand)‘ [22] has won the Special Jury Mention at CMS Vatavaran 2017

awards which is India‘s only International Environment & Wildlife Film

Festival and Forum. This is an indication towards the growing concern to revive

ahar-pyne systems and its likes not just in Bihar but also in other states.

5. Suggestions and Requirements for sustainable modernization of ahar- pyne

system

As seen above, there are many initiatives that have been undertaken to revive

the traditional system of ahar-pyne, but still there is a long way to go to have the

best modern versions of them to suit the present situations of prolonged

droughts and flash floods. Apparently, the technical design of system seems to

be simple but it is complex as the system depends entirely on the natural

conditions like heavy rainfall and physical configuration such as slope of terrain

and characteristics of the rivers and its sediments. Apart from these technical


319 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

aspects social set-up has to be looked at carefully before launching any

widespread program as people participation is the only key to success of such

programmes.

In order to modernize Ahar-Pyne system, there is a need to follow six

steps systematically [23]. These steps are-

1. Planning- This includes preliminary surveys undertaken by cultivators/

volunteers and administrators to identify channels required to be

renovated or reclaimed. A blueprint is prepared to chart out the steps to

be taken and specify roles and responsibilities of participants to achieve

the ultimate goal. Basin planning is done by understanding Groundwater

Surface hydrology and River morphology.

2. Designing- Water distribution using ahar-pyne system can be termed as

―field to field irrigation‖ as water first goes to the upper reach field

which is closest to the irrigation channel and then goes to the next field.

Water flowing through pynes follow the natural gradient.

- While formulating design parameters of ahars and pynes it is imperative

to have proper understanding of natural conditions that have historically

shaped the technical design of the system. A local specialist‘s knowledge,

therefore, should be considered to understand the drainage tracks

characteristics and direction of main water sources.

- Modernization can be done by integrating accurate-results yielding

technologies like geophysics and georadar techniques, geographical

information systems (GIS) and remote sensing instruments to find the

water table, the direction of river‘s main channel and the location of ahar

and pynes to be constructed.

- New construction materials like Geotextile pipes and Geomembrane

materials in ahar-pyne system can be used. Use of such materials will

ensure protection of pynes from erosion and water can be filtered from

sediments and pollution. Also, it will be easier to maintain and repair the

water channels.

For effective designing following should be taken into account-

● Hydrological Data for both surface & groundwater using past records

and newer systems like Hydrological Information System (HIS).

● Hydrometeorological data like rainfall, temperature, radiation, humidity,

sunshine-hour, wind speed.


320 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

● River-flow characteristics, morphology, behavior and its management.

Various research materials, historical data and surveys undertaken

provide the data required.

● Groundwater Surface hydrology- aquifer character, permeability,

transmissibility, porosity, specific yield, spring-level variation.

● The other aspects to be studied include soil, river catchment

characteristics, land slope in the area, slope of the pyne (which follows

the land slope) and losses in the pyne [24].

3. Funding- All of this work require funds. Constructing ahar and pynes are

economical when compared to the cost of big and medium hydrological

projects that run in crores and take several years to be completed. But if

modernization has to be done funds have to to be increased which is only

possible by-

- Direct assistance of state government

- Central government initiatives

- Non-government organizations can provide financial expertise to help in

the process of budgeting and also to raise funds in collaboration with

private organizations through Corporate Social Responsibility.

4. Implementation- This step gives a physical shape to all the planning and

designing done. Implementation of blueprint should be done in a prudent

way so that cost of project doesn't run and is finished within a stipulated

time period. It is often seen that projects started by local organizations

with community participation fulfil both the conditions - economy of

money and time coupled with careful and optimal use of available

resources.

5. Monitoring

- Water quality of pynes should be monitored and controlled as some of

the water is also used for domestic purposes. Also, water seeps down to

recharge ground water table. Biodiversity of aquatic flora and fauna of

region depends upon the water quality.

- Vigilance has to be there especially in monsoon period to keep a check

on any breaches in embankments and level of water in pynes. Weather

forecasting by meteorological department and warnings provided by local

administration help to monitor the ground status continuously. Using

modern devices and alert systems, accuracy of these can be improved

which will help to minimize the damage and maximize the preparation

time.

6. Evaluation- This is essential to make improvements in the present


321 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

system and make better informed decisions in future. It is a continuous

process involving-

- Assessment of the work done

- Analysis of pros and cons and cost to benefit ratio

- Identifying facilitators and roadblocks during implementation and

- Comparison and study of data obtained to reach important inferences

Evaluation of the following should be done to evaluate variation in availability

of water in the ahar-pyne in different years -

- Changes after the system became defunct/revived/renovated.

- Change in irrigation structures

- Maximum/minimum discharge in the water channels

- monthly variation (either the variation is because of variation in river-

flow or breaking of the temporary obstruction) needs to be determined.

It is not just the environmental sustainability we need to aim for through the

modernization of ahar-pyne system but also the sustainability of society.

Refining these systems directly provides result such as higher productivity, less

irrigation costs and prevention of droughts and floods. In indirect manner,

equitable distribution of water reduces inequality in the society which

facilitates inclusive growth and development of nation. In order to strengthen

the social design to facilitate the rejuvenation of traditional irrigation systems,

there is a need to-

- Build organizational and institutional capacities of civil society

organisations (CSOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs).

This would allow them to undertake ahar-pyne renovation and

management in a manner that would improve livelihood opportunities for

the poor.

- Create models of ahar pyne renovation in which democratic systems of

institutional arrangements have been worked out to manage the systems

in a sustainable and equitable manner [25].

- Recognize academic and historical importance of these systems among

research community belonging to various fields. This is essential to

create material for course-books and training-modules to be provided

during Preparatory research, training and appropriate support to enable

people to incorporate modern scientific approaches in their traditional


322 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

knowledge. Ahar-pyne can be used as educational resources for students,

technicians, professionals and researchers as well as the general public.

- Encourage participation of women and recognize their contribution in

agriculture as a whole. Women makes half of the workforce in

agriculture and plays a pivotal role in agricultural industry. Women led

movements in different regions are successful to bring about a positive

change both at family and community level. Innovative and unique

organizations like jal sahelis (water friends) of Bundelkhand region of

northern India provide a model of association and community

organization that can be replicated in Bihar and elsewhere. They have

one motto: Access to water for all. Jal Sahelis have been effective

messengers of water literacy by significantly contributing to raising

awareness on using water efficiently, undertaking rainwater harvesting

and sustainable agriculture practices and kitchen gardening. They also

undertake legal action at panchayat, block, district and state level

against those who violate rights such the right to life, the right to

dignity, the right to work and the right to equality among others [26].

6. Conclusion

Ahar-pyne is an ancient water management system used to provide a reliable

supply of water for paddy cultivation in south and central Bihar. It is an Asian

masterpiece that can be used as a climate change adaptation model for

formulating irrigation systems in arid and semi-arid regions having similar

conditions anywhere in the world. This technology needs to be protected and

refined. We do not need to build new structures, we merely need to maintain

and refine these sustainable structures that has stood stable even after 100

years.

7. Merit of the paper

The paper holistically covered traditional irrigation system of ahar-pyne

indigenous to South Bihar in great detail. This study analysed the history and

origin of the Ahar-pyne system and the reasons why they were abandoned.

Reasons of failure were compared with the reasons of its success in the past.

Also, its variations found in other states were briefly looked at.

The study provided suggestions for technical methods to refine the ahar-pyne

system by using new materials and modern geological techniques. Also,

suggestions to democratize the social set-up is also provided. These methods

suggested in this study are expected to contribute to the restoration and

reconstruction of the Ahar-Pyne as a ―modern sustainable irrigation and water

management system‖ materializing to Fig.7


323 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

References

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TraditionalfloodwaterharvestingsysteminSouthBihar_3810.aspx

[2][16]http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/rural/traditional2.htm

[3][4][5][6][7][8][11][12]http://dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/

1647/pant.pdf?sequence=1

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[10]http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Rural/east_coastplains.htm

[13]http://www.upsbdb.org/pdf/Souvenir2013/ch-16.pdf

[18]https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ancient-mauryan-technology-

brings-water-hope-to-dry-magadh-in-bihar/story-

aMtlAukgnrYEFR4vjB1DrL.html

[19]https://www.dhan.org/developmentmatters/2017/august/case1.php

[20]https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/jal-

sanchay-project-national-award-982523-2017-06-13


324 | V O L U M E 1 – I s s u e 9 , 2 0 1 8

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[26]http://welthungerhilfeindia.org/the-water-warriors-women-lead-the-way-in-

bundelkhand/

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l

[7] Personal

review of ancient tradition of ahar-pyne ......ahar-pyne irrigation system of bihar is one such...

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