A vital source of water

Photographs by: ADITYA BATRA
A brass water spout in Bhaktapur, a major tourist destination close to Kathmandu. A census in 2004 by the Kathmandu-based NGO Forum for Water and Sanitation, counted 389 hitis in Kathmandu valley, of which 233 were ‘working naturally’, while the water yield in 43 was bolstered by city water supply. About 114 hitis had completely dried out, or existed only in memory or on old maps.

A community scheme
In 2003, the Alok Hiti Conservation and Drinking Water Supply Users' Committee, collected Nepali Rs. 6000 from each household to refurbish the hiti (then a dumping ground), and to purchase the hardware to set up a community-run water supply scheme.

Water is tapped from the three stone spouts from 6 to 11 pm and pumped to a 10,000-litre overhead tank, from where it is supplied to about 200 area households.

Photographs by: ADITYA BATRA

Water distributor
A water distributor, the only person on the payroll of the Alok committee, ensures strict compliance with the water distribution rules. Each household is charged a monthly NRs 125 for between 200 (dry season) to 400 litres (wet season) of freshwater supplied each day, roughly equivalent to a ½-hour of piped supply per household per day.

Photographs by: ADITYA BATRA

Still in use
Ratna Man Shrestha, who says he is 95 years old, visits the Alok hiti complex for his daily prayers. Although rampant construction interferes with the delicate subterranean flow of water from aquifer to spout, the underground sand filters, supply and drainage lines of many hitis still function, a strong testimony to Nepal’s ancient engineering expertise

Photographs by: ADITYA BATRA

Management by association
Guthis, loosely translated as people-led ‘associations’ thrive in Nepal. Guthis are the pivot of volunteer-led initiatives, such as puja ceremonies, festivals, cremations, and the restoration of historical monuments, among others. The Alok hiti committee warded off encroachments in the guthi common lands to protect the hiti’s shallow aquifer.

Here, a guthi band en route to a wedding near Alok hiti.

Photographs by: ADITYA BATRA