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Location where technology is being evaluated : Erandawali, Shah, Habib, Mamad, Nani Sadai and Vad (Distt.- Kutch)

Number of people approximately being served by the technology : Erandawali (1200), Shah (2500), Habib (800), Mamad (1400), Nani Sadai (1000) and Vad (550) (Distt. - Kutch).

Since when it is in operation? : Approximately for more than 500 Years.

Who Designed / Planned and who implemented / constructed the technology ? :
Mr. Lal Mohmmad Khaily (60 Years), Village- Erandawali, Mr. Haji Mohmmad (63 Years), Village- Shah; Mr. Liakat Ali (53 years), Village- Habib; Mr. Ilias Hasan (48 Years), Village- Mamad; Mr. Yushuf Ramjan (30 Years), Village- Nani Sadai and Mr. Salim Ali (38 Years), Village- Vad (Distt.- Kutch).

Who is taking care of the technology now? : Villagers own.

Are there any standards available which need to be fulfilled by the technology? If yes which? : None though wells for irrigation and drinking can be compared.

Are operations and maintenance data records available? : No

Please provide a brief summary of the history/evolution of this technology in the selected case study :

Virdas are traditional water harvesting systems found in the Banni area of Kutch district and in North-western Banaskantha, Sabarkantha districts and Northen parts of Gujarat. The region is characterized by arid conditions with temperatures as low as 100 C in the winter and as high as 500 C in the summer. It receives a mean annual rainfall of about 300 mm in short and intensive spells. Groundwater and soil are highly saline with salinity levels as high as 98000 ppm in Kutch area. For the purposes of this study, Virda from Banni areas also have been selected.

Since agriculture largely depends on monsoon, the failure of monsoon limits agricultural production and hence the livelihood options of those who depend on it. Consequently, the ancient wisdom of constructing these man-made ponds first came up during the Kathi rule. However, not many Virda have been built in recent years. It is said that in some of these lakes there used to be so much water collected that in case a part of Banni suffered from drought, these Virdas could supply all the water needed for meeting the needs of both people and cattle.