Traditional engineers reduce water stress: Kattas of Kerala | Mongabay-India x ALT EFF

Traditional knowledge, locally sourced raw materials and community efforts - the key ingredients farmers use to conserve water in some districts of Kerala and Karnataka.

They build 'kattas,' a temporary check dam which, like any other check dam, holds back flowing water in the stream or river and lets the excess flow. In the case of this traditional check dam, however, it is the community that funds and builds it.

Kattas conserves water for irrigation and also recharges groundwater, benefiting everyone nearby. It is a lifesaver during water shortages.

The story was supported by the Video Reporting Fund 2024 by Mongabay-India and All Living Things Environmental Film Festival.

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