The vanishing of ancient ponds, stone spouts and canals in Kathmandu valley is heartbreaking. It is disgrace to our modern society that we could not preserve the traditional knowledge of ‘Water Management Technology’. Our ancestors knew the terrain and geological structure very well. The Newars were master in managing water sources of Kathmandu. They used intricate water channel system, maintained the balance between surface and groundwater.
The ancient Hitis (Water Tap) and Rajkulo (canals constructed by Kings) and Pukhu (ponds to collect water and recharging off groundwater was an excellent innovation. This system perhaps helped the agrarian community. You can find the depression or step well in the interiors of the city, which is very near to the temple. It is the site of Hitis, which need conservation and revival. These Hitis were not constructed within a year. It took generations to construct and it was a community effort where they lived in perfect harmony and belongingness.
Hitis provided water for the temple and for the daily need of people. Once the valley had many ponds which fed the Hitis–at the ponds were fed by the Rajkulos, overflow of water either went to ground or it was carried to the surrounding rivers. The Hitis once had proper filtration mechanism providing clean waters for drinking. The filtration consisted of locally available gravel, charcoal, and a non-permeable burnt clay pot to store water. There are whole engineering and architectural aspect of the science of water management.
Rajkulos were a perennial source of water, it fed local aqueduct with the fresh waters from the up streams and pukhu acts as a source of water catchment area. Rajkulos irrigated the fields, you know that once Kathmandu was lush green heaven. In our culture getting up early and taking shower and offering water to god is considered sacred. These Hitis provided water for the temples and pilgrimage. Unplanned constructions destroyed the rajukols networks: destroyed the hitis, rajkulos and addition of new plumbing and sewage system affected the ancient water management system. These systems were once full functionally till two to three decades backs, old people witnessed drying of Hitis. Hitis had religious and cultural sentiment. Our indigenous water management system never failed us.
People used water sparingly, they used earthen pots or copper vessel to store water, today science considered it to be organic. Ancient water met the need of small population of Kathmandu. Unplanned construction destroyed the intricate water channel of our heritage. The construction of Ring road, land encroachment for the building where once pond was seen for public and private use. The plumbing fixtures and sewage construction destroyed the shallow aqua conduct, thereby obstructing the flow of water in Hitis. Hitis were connected to the Pukhu, Pukhu were fed by Rajkulos. The water was a channel from the surrounding water streams. Can we redesign efficient water management system like our ancestors?
