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

Revival of Ramgarh Dam, Jaipur “We never know the value of water till the well is dry”.

CONTEXT

-Thomas Fuller 1

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INTRODUCTION

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Dry from 8 years.

This dam also known as Ramgarh lake is functional as well as recreational asset in the region of the Ramgarh in Jaipur City.

The area is also been Demo crated as a Sanctuary due to its ecological importance

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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

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

AIM To propose an adaptive reuse of the lost dam / reservoir by intervening in the possible areas of intervention.

NEED TO REVIVE RAMGARH DAM

HISTORY 1903

JAMVA RAMGARH WILDLIFE CENTURY Dry dam has affected sanctuary which is around reservoir, animals are killed and poached by villagers.

Built by king of Jaipur Sawai Jaisingh.

Made of irrigation Purposes for the nearby tehsils.

FISHREY

1931

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

1993

Water supply reduced from 20 MLD to 2.5 MLD

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

The reservoir gave 1 tonne of fish annually amounting to annual income of 1.5 lac in 1983-84.

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

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE They play key role in aquatic food web as a resource for consumers on higher tropical levels.

RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL Dam was recreational place for the city outside the urban chaos.

CURRENT LEGAL ISSUE

2000

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.

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Somehow managed to serve Jaipur City.

High court is actively involved in this issue which points out the negligence from various departments and officials GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL

2006 Completely dry till now.

ADAPTIVE REUSE AND REVIVALISM

Existing proposal of connecting MEJ, a tributary of Chamabal RIVER in Kota District.

SHAILLY UI3615 SHIVAM UI3915

Revival of Ramgarh Dam, Jaipur Channelization of Water

PROPOSITIONS FOR REVIVAL 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.

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.

Clearing the undesirable barriers to bring water to desirable locations

Backfilling of trenches at the foothills to channelize water to river

BENEFITS OF RESERVOIR ESTABLISHMENT

Water Availability

Ground water recharge

Vegetative measures on backfilling would stop cattle to enter into hilly terrains

Recreation

RESULTS 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

Improvement in Vegetation

Benefit to Jamva Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Assimilation 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 Water should be collected and should be brought to river

Evaporation Minimization 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

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Water lost in evaporation and percolation, not benefiting the community

Surface area of water bodies should be reduced to minimise evaporative losses

Aquaculture

RESULTS 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

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

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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

Erosion Control • •

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 RESULTS Due to the very low average daily rainfall, trench and dugged out contour bunds are not recommended for this situation

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RESULTS Even though it would prevent erosion but would segregate the already scanty rainwater available

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

ADAPTIVE REUSE AND REVIVALISM

Other aesthetically important aquatic species will also be provided which will improve the overall surrounding of the site

SHAILLY UI3615 SHIVAM UI3915