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

The gentle Buddhist country of Sri Lanka hosts an inspiring ancient water conservation and irrigation system called the Village Tank System. We studied such as system in the central part of the country together with national experts and FAO. Reference image above: Bioengineering components of the village pond as analyzed by national expert Dr. B Dharmasana.

Ideas that inspired us

  • Royal decrees of distant past mandate villagers to store water in natural basins formed by natural landform (micro watersheds) They are referred to as Traditional Village Tank Systems. The systems nourished the traditional rice lands for ages.
  • They are bio engineering marvels that catch water, filter and recycle water in one micro watershed and use it in another micro watershed.
  • Only a few of the water tank systems are left today, many have been taken over by modern irrigation, systems.
  • Yet, those remaining can still perform important sustainable irrigation functions – a form of low-cost, climate change adaptation.

Catalytic projects that helped model the way: FAO GIAHS project in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The village water tanks systems are pervasive in the dry zone of the beautiful country of Sri Lanka upon ancient Royal Decree and sustained by the gentle, nature loving culture. The study was done in Anuradaphura region.

Key Features

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, Documenting the village tank system (community pond) as an engineering and biological heritage. Built in ancient times to store water.
Cross section of the Water Tank System (reference: Buddhi Marambe, 2012. Biodiversity and Agrobiodiversity in Sri Lanka: Village Tank Systems)
Dharmasena:  Each “Village Water Tank system” is a network of micro-water-sheds maintained by traditional practices for better water storage.
Another perspective: “(a) Schematic diagram showing progression of check dam-based water ponds to TCS and associated man-made features; (b) The nomenclature of tanks used for the analysis. (Reference: Jayasena, ChanraijithK Gangadhra 2013. Water Management in Ancient Tank Cascade Systems (TCS) in Sri Lanka : Evidence for Systematic Tank Distribution

Why is it qualified to be a Globally Important Heritage System (GIAHS- 5 criteria)?

  • Contributes in a major way to food and livelihood security.
  • Maintains high biodiversity and agrobiodiversity and ecosystem functions.
  • Supported by Knowledge systems and adapted technologies.
  • Cultures, value systems and social organizations (Agri-Culture).
  • It has remarkable landscapes, land and water resources management features.

Personal Insights

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

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