2.3 Royal decree of distant past helps conserve water in modern times in Sri Lanka

Bioengineering components of the village pond as analyzed by national expert Dr. B Dharmasana

Ideas that inspired us

  • Royal decree of distant past mandate villagers to store water in natural basins formed by land (micro watersheds) These nourish the rice lands.
  • They are bio engineering marvels that catch water, filter and recycle water-use it in another watershed.
  • Only few are left today, many have been taken over by modern irrigation.
  • Yet they can still perform important irrigation functions – low-cost climate change adaptation.

Catalytic projects that helped model the way

  • FAO GIAHS

Key Features

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, Documenting the village tank system (community pond) an engineering and biological heritage built by in ancient times to store water. Several thousand still used today.
Dharmasena, Each “Tank” is a network of micro-water-sheds for better water storage

Personal Insights

  • Micro-watershed management isn’t really a new thing it has ancient beginnings

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