BReUCom Case Study 05: Water Resilience in the Historic Core City of Jodhpur

Introduction

Historic cities have survived over centuries based on how they have managed their natural and manmade water systems. Jodhpur has been one such city in the arid region of Rajasthan which exhibits a hierarchical water system that has supported its population over the last 1500 years. These extraordinary water bodies such as manmade tanks, step wells and jhalaras are well integrated in the fabric of the core city to serve its residents till recently when water is served through pipelines putting these  extensive water bodies to disuse. Further disinterest of the city residents and pollution have further aggravated the situation thereby leading to excess water, rising water levels and flooding on the onset of rains. This situation of excess water and flooding is tackled by pumping water from most of these water bodies for 12 hours daily into nallahs, whereas the nearby regions are undergoing water shortages and the entire city suffers extensively from heat gains in summers. An excellent example of extreme conditions and mismanagement of natural resources.

Objective

• To assess the sensitivity, adaptive capacity and coping mechanism of communities to water stress in urban areas
• To derive a mechanism for assessing Institutional and community arrangement for enhancing resilience to water stress
• To propose a policy framework as well as spatial strategy for enhancing institutional and community resilience to water stress.

Preliminary Findings

• The five hundred year old settlement is still self sufficient by way of holding of fresh water through its holding ponds, water channels and array of water systems.
• These water systems have been in thorough neglect by way of disuse and pollution thereby leading to excess of water which is leading to excessive flooding in the monsoon and non monsoon months leading to damages and losses.
• Other than using the existing water bodies and systems appropriately, excess water is pumped for 12 hours daily into the nallah whereas water to be used in the city is pumped from kilometers away through the Lift canal which seems very illogical.
• Further the city suffers through the year through excessive heat gains thereby making it difficult for its residents to live comfortably.
•  Preliminary awareness and vulnerability surveys of the residents prove that the extensive and well conceived water resources need to be appropriately managed through institutions thereby increasing the resilience of its residents as well as the city.
  

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.