Surangams are an age-old concept of water harvesting in Kerala. Surangam is a tunnel that is dug horizontally into a hill slope to tap water from a natural spring or groundwater source. The word Surangam is derived from the Malayalam language, which means a tunnel.

History of Surangams:

Surangams have been in use in Kerala since ancient times. The concept of Surangams is believed to have originated during the pre-historic period when the people of Kerala started digging tunnels to tap water from natural sources. The practice continued during the medieval period and was widely used in the southern parts of Kerala, which are hilly regions.

How Surangams work:

Surangams work on the principle of gravity. The tunnel is dug horizontally into the hill slope until it reaches the source of water. The tunnel is then connected to a well or a tank where the water is collected. The tunnel is designed in such a way that it slopes downwards towards the well or tank, allowing the water to flow by gravity.

Advantages of Surangams:

1. Sustainable water source: Surangams provide a sustainable source of water throughout the year, even during droughts.

2. Cost-effective: Surangams are cost-effective as they do not require any electricity or machinery to operate.

3. Environmentally friendly: Surangams do not cause any damage to the environment as they rely on natural sources of water.

4. Easy maintenance: Surangams are easy to maintain as they do not require any complex machinery or equipment.

Conclusion:

Surangams are an excellent example of traditional water harvesting methods that are still relevant in today's world. They provide a sustainable source of water and are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and easy to maintain. Surangams are an important part of Kerala's cultural heritage, and efforts should be made to preserve and promote this ancient practice.

Surangams are the water management system used to provide the water supply for irrigation and human settlements in kerela and southern districts of karnataka..