Every Drop Counts Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 6

Summary of Every Drop Counts

• This chapter aims to make us understand the importance of water.
• Water is an important part of life.
• In this world every single person gets water from different sources and in a different way.
• People around the world, in many places face the scarcity of water.
• The scarcity of water leads them to a hard life.
• People from different parts of the world come forward and take significant steps to save water.

Ghadsisar, Jaisalmer(Rajasthan)

• It was built 650 years ago with the help of the people by Jaisalmer's King Ghadsi.
• Ghats with steps leading to the water, decorated verandas, large halls, rooms, and much more can be found all around the lake.
• People came to celebrate festivals and attend music and dance performances. Children flocked to the ghat school to learn.
• Everyone shared ownership of the talab, and everyone was responsible for keeping it clean.
• The rainwater collected in this lake flowed for miles.
• It was constructed in such a way that when the lake was full, the excess water flowed into a lower-level lake.
• When that too filled up, the extra water flowed into the next lake.
• In this manner, all nine lakes were filled.
• This rainwater could be used all year long.
• Ghadsisar is no longer in use. Between those nine lakes, a slew of new structures and colonies have sprouted. The water in these lakes is no longer collected. Rainwater simply flows away and is wasted.
  Ghadsisar Lake

Through the Eyes of Al-Biruni

• A traveller arrived in India over a thousand years ago. Al-Biruni was his name.
• Uzbekistan is the name of the country from which he came. Al-Biruni paid close attention and meticulously recorded everything he saw.
• He wrote especially about things that he found to be very different from what he had experienced in his own country.

Here is a Part of What He Wrote About the Ponds of that Time:

“The people here are very skilled at making ponds. My countrymen would be surprised to see them. They pile up huge rocks and join them with iron rods to build chabutaras (raised platforms) all around the lake. Between these, there are rows of long staircases, going up and down. The steps for going up and coming down are separate. So, there is less crowding.”
Al-Biruni

Drop-by-Drop

• Apart from Jaisalmer, many parts of Rajasthan receive very little rain.
• The rivers in this area do not have water all year. Despite this, most of the villages in these areas had plenty of water.
• Every drop of water was valuable to the people. To collect water, lakes, and johads were built. Everyone required water.
• This work brought everyone together, whether it was a businessman or a labourer. Some of the lake water soaked into the ground and made its way to the wells and bavdis (stepwell). The area's soil became wet and fertile as well.
• Every house had a system to collect the rainwater.
  Rainwater harvesting
• Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater that falls on roofs, parks, roads, and other open areas. This runoff can be stored or recharged into the groundwater system.

Stepwell

• Stepwells are wells or ponds where you can get to the water level by descending a set of steps. They can be multi-story, with a bullock turning a water wheel to bring well water to the first or second floor.
  Stepwells

Customs Related to Water

• People still get their water from ancient lakes, dharas, stepwells, and naulas. Water is central to many customs and festivals.
• When lakes fill up with rainwater in some places, residents gather around the lake to celebrate.

The Theme of the Chapter

• So we learned how our life is connected to the water.
• Our life is connected to the water through the need to ritual everything.
• Water plays an important role in our life.
• Different people use water in their own way.
• Wastage of water leads to the scarcity of water.
• There are numerous ways to save water.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

• In the heart of the Thar Desert, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, is the former trading hub and princely state of Jaisalmer. 
• It is distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture and is referred to as the "Golden City." Jaisalmer Fort, a vast hilltop citadel supported by 99 bastions, commands the skyline. 
• The elaborate Maharaja's Palace and intricately carved Jain temples are hidden behind its imposing walls.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan

• The state of Rajasthan in northwest India contains the city of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert.
• Its Mehrangarh Fort, a former palace that is now a museum and houses elaborate royal palanquins, weapons, and paintings, was built in the fifteenth century (sedan chairs). 
• The fort, which is perched atop a rocky outcrop, looks down on the walled city and its numerous blue-painted structures.

Interesting Facts

• Darki Mai: She resides in a village in Rajasthan's Alwar district. The women of the village used to care for their homes and animals all day long. The process of drawing water for the animals sometimes took all night. They were forced to leave the village during the summer when the wells dried up. After learning about this group, Darki Mai requested assistance. The members of the group and the villagers decided to create a lake together. Animals' access to food and water is no longer a problem. Milk sales have increased. They have begun to make more money.