Paper short abstract:

Value of water is closely linked to its status as a collective resource. Its management is vital for sustainable agriculture. This paper explores linkages between ponds and collective management of water at different scales, and their transformation into assets that can be depleted or sustained.

Paper long abstract:

The way in which water is valued is closely linked to its status as a collective resource, and water management is one of the core issues facing sustainable agriculture. Over its deep history and across its varied geography, South Asia has been home to many varied water management strategies. Small sources of surface water–ponds–appear to have particular potential, both as a legacy water source and as a form of surface water management that can be established on the landscape. In contrast, the more recent water structures, such as farm ponds are filled with rainfall run-off and groundwater, and are privately owned, plastic-lined storage mechanism. They are emerging as essential infrastructure supporting agricultural livelihoods and mitigating climate risk, such as high variation in rainfall received, dry spells, drought and increasing temperature. As groundwater crises emerge in different parts of the country, it has become imperative to explore new ways of valuing and utilizing water. Water sources are accessed and valued differently at different social scales. New understandings of this potential are emerging from regional datasets throughout India. In this paper, we will explore the linkages between ponds and collective management of water at different scales, and their transformation into assets that can be depleted or sustained. Drawing on social research data, archaeological analysis, and historical cartography, we will compare and contrast different forms of surface water management in India, focusing in particular on ponds in Northwest India, Telangana and Maharashtra.