Main Article Content
Abstract
In India Water Management has been practised since time immemorial. References of this practice are found in ancient religions texts and history. Water management system of ancient lakes through inscriptions and ancient texts which may be helpful for future planning of revival of our ancient lakes for better storage of excess flood water and rainwater management for irrigation and drinking water purpose. Hence, protection and preservation of water bodies especially the village tanks is need of hour, other wise the human beings would be banished. The medieval monarchs of Tamil Nadu kept a system of constituting of a village tank committee in each village. Each committee involved in maintaining of tanks, digging of new one, desilting, preventing of negligence by Government authorities, planting of trees on the banks of the tank, repairing of embankments , generating revenue by taxing users, making aware of people about the draught and saving of rain water etc. The committee resorted to arrange for establishment of private trusts in the name of tanks. In those days establishing of private trust especially for the upkeep of the tanks was considered as a social responsibility. Such an innovative system must be retrieved and practiced at this moment. In this paper an attempt is made to throw light on the Water Management of Tamil Rulers and also describes the Water Management through lakes in medieval tamilnadu. Descriptive methodology is followed in this study.