Rainwater harvesting in the desert
Deserts have some of the most varied and ingenious ways to catch and store rainwater. Rain is the only source of sweet water in many desert climates. Groundwater is often saline or laced with fluoride, in addition to being scares. In the extremely dry Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan several techniques have been developed by local people to catch and store rain for human, animal and farming uses.
Throw it upwards in Kenya
Terrace farming on slopes helps conserve water. Along with other measures such as micro-dams, stone bunds and percolation pits, this can reduce surface runoff and increase soil moisture. One such system called Fanya juu terrace have expanded in several parts of East Africa, particularly in the Machachakos District in Kenya where 85% of the land is now terraced.
Spreading floodwaters in Iran
People in arid areas around the world innovate with water conservation, especially rainwater harvesting. One such is the Fars Province in Iran, a desert landscape. Since 1983, an extraordinary programme of floodwater harvesting has been implemented that has turned area lush green. This programme has turned silt-laden floods into an asset. It has been combined with upstream water management to control the salinity in the Helleh River
Arresting land erosion in Ethiopia
Zai, rainwater harvesting in Chad
Farmers in Chad’s semi-arid Sahelian zone have been using an indigenous rainwater harvesting technique called Zaï to successfully grow crops. Zaï involves the digging of small pits and sowing crops in them. The pits retain water for a long period of time and are particularly efficient when there isn’t much rain.
