Water Management

Kudimaramathu Scheme:

1. It is a scheme by Tamil Nadu government which aims to restore the water bodies of Tamil Nadu such as dams, lakes and reservoirs, with the help of local farmers.
2. In Tamil, the word “Kudi” means people and “Maramathu” means repairing or construction. Kudimaramathu is a centuries-old system of collective repair of water bodies, which discontinued in the colonial era.
3. It has been restarted by the Tamil Nadu government.
4. Through this scheme the Tamil Nadu Government attempts to revive an ancient lake management system.
5. The scheme is very crucial for Tamil Nadu as it has been facing unprecedented drought over 100 years.
6. It was launched in March 2017.

Ice Stupa

[Ref - BBC Science Focus]

• Ice Stupa is a glacier grafting technique that creates artificial glaciers.
• These artificial glaciers are used for storing winter water in the form of conical-shaped ice heaps.
  • An 18-metre stupa can hold roughly 1.5 to 2 million litres of water.
• During summer, when water is scarce, the Ice Stupa melts to increase the water supply for crops.
• It was invented by engineer, innovator, and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh.
  • Sonam Wangchuk is the founder-director of the NGO Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL).
• The first prototype of Ice Stupa was made at the SECMOL school in 2013.

Benefits of Ice Stupas:

• Effective water storage systems.
• Help mitigate the impact of reduced glacier meltwater.
• Enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
• Raises awareness about climate change and promotes innovation to combat it.
• Promote tourism and educational opportunities for local communities.