Traditional water system, Nepal

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Name	Traditional water system
Country	Nepal
City	Patan
Authors	Neha Shrestha

Rationale: Why is this case interesting?

Please explain in short why this site has green infrastructure potential and what makes it special (150 words approx)

Patan (Lalitpur) metropolitan city is one of the largest cities in Nepal with the area of 15.43 square kilometer. Due to its growing population Patan is facing severe water scarcity. Besides from investigating the possibilities to increase the municipal supply from alternative sources, the scarcity of water has made them to re-think, conserve and revive the traditional water system which was built with knowledge, intelligence and skills. These water system were established in such a way that they could serve the population both in quality and quantity throughout the year. It uses special techniques locating the water sources and bringing it to the site. On the other hand people are forgetting their traditional sustainable system and adopting modern mismatch system because of this negligence the traditional water system are drying up or reduced. So it is very important to conserve the water system in terms to protect our indigenous traditional water system and providing the local the alternative source of water for their daily use.

Author's perspective

what is your professional/educational background and your relation to the site?

I am studying landscape architecture with Architecture as my professional background. I have practiced as architect in my home land but have not yet practiced as landscape architecture in a professional field. This site concerns me as it belongs to my country and has been facing similar problem relating my home town. The town is implementing some projects to conserve traditional water system and to diminish the water problem which can also be a good example for my home area.

Landscape and/or urban context of your case

• Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

History and dynamics

The construction of water systems can be linked to early settlements of Kirats who used ponds and springs in the tar lands and hill slopes. Later Lichchhavies connected the ponds and spouts to discharge water from stone spouts. 58 water spouts were constructed in Patan and its surroundings of which 4 are dry and 7 do not exist. Most of the spouts are located in the core of historic settlements. The oldest spout found in Patan is at Mangal Bazaar known as Manga hiti built in 570 AD. Massive water works were established during the period of Lichchhavies and extended during Malla rule. The canals and ponds were improved by Ranas as well. Several drains were covered by Ranas with brick arch canals. The whole water system was not established during the time of single king but was successively added and improved during the time of Lichchhavies and their successor Mallas.

Biogeography

The city of Patan is located on the northern sloppy terrain of Phulchwoki, the southern hills of Kathmandu valley. One component of water system known as pukhu (pond) which is used to store water for this water system is very important in terms of ecosystem. The ponds are has rich diversity of flora and fauna especially the Lotus. The pond is habitat for ducks and fishes. On the other hand it also supports agriculture and supplies water to human life.

Overall character

The traditional water system consists of 5 major components. • The intake; • The conveyance system – surface or sub- surface water flow channels; • Water storing or recharging bodies – pukhus (ponds); • Water conduits – the spouts and wells; • The drainage system. The water system especially (stone spouts, wells, ponds) acts as domestic house hold purpose to supply water for the people. It is used for people for drinking as well as washing purpose. It also serves for irrigation purpose.

Cultural features

During ancient period the people used to worship source of water and managed them according to the situation. The cultural linkage to traditional water system still exists in Lalitpur. The stone spouts one of the traditional water system not only resembles the engineered water conduits but also lavishly designed religious master piece of architecture. The water spouts consists of beautifully carved crocodile head (crocodile or makara in Sanskrit is the vehicle of Ganga, the Goddess of water) which is considered as holy water animal with water pouring out of the mouth and few idols of water related gods, creatures, properly located with their religious beliefs and functions. The water from these water spouts is considered as pure and holy and is used for daily religious activities, rituals for temples and shrines. There is also a strong belief that water from certain spouts has medicinal qualities so some baidyas (Ayurvedic homeopathic medicinal practitioners) use water for treating diseases. People believe Cleaning water spouts makes god happy and every ever year during various occasions people clean and maintain the water spout complex.

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Green Infrastructure benefits for this site

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Potential for multifunctionality

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Projective drawings

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• And how could it look like in 10-15 years?
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Summary and conclusion

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Image Gallery

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References

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