Thalav (Tank) Water Systems of Aravalli

Aravalli district's landscape is historically characterised by numerous thalavs (earthen tanks) that stored monsoon runoff for domestic, agricultural, and livestock use through the dry season. These tanks ranged from small village ponds (talav) fed by local catchments to larger tanks constructed by zamindars and rulers to irrigate surrounding fields. Traditional tank maintenance was a community obligation: cleaning the inlet channels, repairing breached embankments, and removing accumulated silt was organised through the gram sabha system. The silt excavated from tanks was spread on adjacent fields as nutrient-rich soil amendment. Many Aravalli tanks have been revived under MNREGA and PMKSY watershed programmes, using modern surveys to restore embankments to design specifications. Community water committees formed after tank restoration manage seasonal water allocation and prevent unauthorised extraction.