Why we should revitalize indigenous water harvesting systems: Lessons learned

Abstract

It is generally believed that problems surrounding water scarcity led earlier generations to develop and employ a variety of indigenous rainwater harvesting (RWH) techniques. This paper is based on literature review and aims to discuss the current status and impact of these widely practiced indigenous RWH systems with references to archaeological case studies from different agro-ecological areas. Our review shows that indigenous RWH systems are declining as a result of multiple factors but chiefly groundwater use, rural-urban migration, climate change, and changes in policy. However, our review also reveals that revitalized indigenous RWH systems can play an important role in alleviating water scarcity problems and sustaining livelihoods in both dry and developing regions. While new technologies have negatively affected several indigenous RWH systems when combined with traditional knowledge they can help to modernize indigenous RWH practices to make them more resilient, efficient, and productive.