Revival of Ramgarh Dam, Jaipur - Research paper by Shaily Parikh and Shivam Thakkar

RAMGARH DAM Shaily UI3615 Shivam UI3915

Introduction

Context

“We never know the value of water till the well is dry” The dam also known as Ramgarh lake is functional as well as recreational asset in the region of the Ramgarh in Jaipur City is dry from 8 years.

Map of Jaipur with the dam catering to yellow regions

The dam and the surroundings of the site

What is a dam?

It is an artificial barrier usually Constructed across a stream channel to impound water.

It generally serves the purpose of retaining water which makes water available during wet periods and for utilization of the same during lean periods.

The dam covering 4 Tehsils

Uses of the dam in Ramgarh

Surrounding functions and activities

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The site is surrounded by 1. Sariska Tiger Resort 2. Ruins of Bhangarh fort 3. Jamva Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary 4. Abhaneri Stepwell 5. Jal Mahal 6. Jaipur Fort It is situated on the North eastern side of Jaipur district in Rajasthan state.

Delineated according to the catchment of dam lies in 4 tehsils – Shahpura, Viratnagar, Amber, Jamwa Ramgarh

Built – 1903, full of water

Water supply reduced from 20 MLD to 2.5 MLD

History 1903 Built by king of Japiur Sawai Jaisingh. Made of irrigation Purposes for the nearby tehsils.

1931 Used for irrigation and drinking of water for Jaipur City only.

1982 Rowing event for Asian Games, when water reached its full height.

Current scenario - barren land and very less water

1993

Social and Cultural Impact

Whit time illegal encroachments were haunting the free flow of dam.

The recreational value gave economic returns to the local people The social life on and around the site became very dull and dead, reviving the dam will increase the social engagement with the site and the city

2000 Somehow managed to serve Jaipur City.

2006 Completely dry till now.

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Propositions for Revival

Clearing the undesirable barriers, grading land cover to bring water to desirable locations Result: Depressions and undulations on ground can store a lot of rainwater. This stored water is eventually lost by evaporation and infiltration affecting direct surface runoff Backfilling of trenches at the foothills to channelize water to river Vegetative measures on backfilling would stop cattle to enter into hilly terrains Soil contour bunds to be replaced with stone bunds to allow water to pass through it Result: Stone bunds not only allow water to pass through it, but reduce the speed of water to a great extent, Stone bunds hence would also prevent erosion to a great extent

(i) Reservoir Model

Although reservoir is an economic venture but can have a recreational value as an added advantage hence its position would be an apt if it has good view and better connection to the visitors.

(iii) Assimilation of Water

The already existing setup of steps which was earlier used to see rowing event can be potentially used as a view point and the water body should be aligned towards that direction.

(ii) Channelization of Water Average daily rainfall varies from mere 2.5mm to 10mm, so water will play a considerable role when it is assimilated in large volumes Harvesting the water in other forms would segregate the water and the water would be lost in evaporation and infiltration Water should be collected and should be brought to river Result: Larger volume of water can be used for farm and non farm activities by local community. Also these water bodies would recharge the ground water to a greater extent.

Use of surface water would also divert the extraction of ground water, with time bringing back the value of surface water 3

(iv) Erosion Control

Surface area of water bodies should be reduced to minimise evaporative losses Depth of river bed to be increased while width be decreased to reduce surface area It is not necessary to store water in surface water bodies. The sub surface river flow can be caught by building a small underground dam across a riverbed These structures contain water and the evaporative losses are minimized to almost zero

(vi) Aquaculture

Stone bunds would considerably reduce erosion still allowing water to pass through it Gabion walls which works on the same principle stone bunds should be made on foothills to prevent erosion and mass wasting Result: Due to the very low average daily rainfall, trench and dugged out contour bunds are not recommended for this situation Even though it would prevent erosion but would segregate the already scanty rainwater available

(v) Evaporation Minimization

The down was placed among productive reservoirs of the country with a potential of 200 kg/ha Commercial fishing records show that each fisherman generally cached 1 tonne of fish per year Result: The vast potential of fishing can be revived which will give economic returns to the government as well as participating community. It will also have advantage in terms of employment generation for nearby population

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(vii) Aquatic plants

Although fish crop diversification is an economic intent, but other aquatic species also play a significant role foe a proper working of a water body, in terms of soil binding, purification, evaporative losses, etc.

Aquatic species also add to the aesthetics of a water body Result: Free floating species like Water lilies, etc. are provided, which will not only be aesthetically pleasing but would reduce the evaporative cooling to a considerable extent.

Other aesthetically important aquatic species are also provided.

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