RWH as EST in Mysore Development

by : Er. Chidambara BS*, Er. Vallapu Madhu Sudhana Rao**, Suresha N***, Er. Venkataramaiah Jagannatha ****

ABSTRACT

Sustainable Human settlements need ecological approach to human settlements planning (IUCN/UNEP/WWF,1991). Environmental Sound Technologies (ESTs) encompass technologies that have the potential for significantly improved environmental performance relative to other technologies(UNEP-IETC,1999).Unfortunately, in a highly resource starved urban infrastructure planning ecological considerations is meager or at the lowest priority.(RCDP,1996).

Rain water harvesting as an EST had been used for over thousands of years in India. Unfortunately, in the recent past due to various inadequate planning and management strategies, they are neglected. Mysore urban development in a projected 150 sq km by 2011 is the case study reported. Primarily a residential cum industrial urban settlement, Mysore has shown significant industrial development in recent past. Even though Mysore urban region is situated between Cauvery and Kabini river watersheds, acute water shortage for residential use is felt every year. In spite major urban augmentation project with external financial support water demand planning is unsustainable.

In this paper, an attempt is made to integrate Rain Water Harvesting as an Environmental Sound Technology for urban and industrial development of Mysore. An information Data Base of technology and best practices is suggested for the benefit of individual residential users, local authorities, professional organizations and decision makers.