by Ac. Jyotirishananda Avt.

Human health, traditionally so dependent on water and centered around its sources, is not only threatened by unnatural living, but also by the degeneration of the environment.

Human society of ages ago lived a water-centered life, respectful to the power of waves, grateful for abundant rains. In the modern environment of greed and exploitation, it is not the human beings but industries which suck up the rivers, canals, lakes and ponds in an unquenchable thirst for water.

For their personal care, human beings have started to tap the only other source available for them – ground water. In fact, even industries in different parts of the world now rely on ground water because traditional sources are either too polluted or have dried up. Yet the earth needs that ground water to keep its ecological balance and green color.

The overall pollution of the environment and the drying up of the earth reflect the inner human condition of toxification of the body and lack of water. To restore this may take centuries.

Sarkar’s Water Preservation
With the pollution of rivers, ground water tables falling rapidly and dams and lakes not enough to supply agriculture and industry, the very existence of humanity is at stake. We can truly say, the earth is facing a gobal water crisis.

Shrii P. R. Sarkar, who gave so much wisdom regarding the preservation of sentient health, provided also a system of water management to ensure sufficient water for the survival and health of the entire world population.

According to him "... the only solution is to rely on rainwater. We must collect the rainwater, develop the science of making artificial rain and bring the rain clouds from where they remain over the oceans onto the land."

Also, according to Sarkar, every drop of water should not go to the ocean before it has been utilized several times.

Ananda Nagar
Inspired by his ideas, a global project for the practical education on water preservation was started in one of the driest part of India – Purulia, West Bengal. This project is called “Ananda Nagar” or “The City of Bliss”.

In his plans for this ideal community, more than 700 pools and lakes are to be dug. Some of these have already been constructed with excellent results, and neighbouring villages are also benefiting from the collected rainwater.

Rainwater harvesting Techniques
The special techniques of Sarkar’s water preservation is a natural method of stopping evaporation by planting different varieties of plants, shrubs and trees by the lake side, in the water and on the water surface. The lakes and ponds are to be small in size, which prevents excessive evaporation. They should be located where rainwater flows naturally. To avoid accidents and drowning, the ponds should not be deeper than five feet, except where the climate is too dry. In those places ponds can be made up to ten feet deep. To prevent seepage through the soil, the bottom of a newly constructed pond should be spread with lake bed soil from other ponds or lakes.

Sarkar’s choice of water-preserving plants can be seen in the following charts. To maintain the water level, fish are helpful because their presence will complete the ecological cycle of water, plants, birds and insects.

Sarkar’s Pond Plantation System

Slope Plants: Pineapple, asparagus, aloe vera, egg plant and chili. All of these plants control soil erosion, help conserve water, and also provide an income for the people.

Boundary Plants: Palm trees should be planted around the lake according to their capacity. Creepers should be grown along with the trees (only one type of creeper by each pond).

Aquatic Plants: Thorny (lotus makhana and Victoria Regina) and Non-thorny (water lily and water chestnut): these two types of aquatic plants should not be mixed together.

Surface Plants: These should be grown on the flat land surrounding the lake. Anything can be grown on this land according to the nature of the soil.

Wire Plants: A brick wall should be built around each pond to keep out large animals and prevent accidents.

Creepers that can cover the wall: Vegetables (beans, bottle gourd, squash, pumpkin), flowers and fruits (melon, passion fruit and grapes) etc.

Hundreds of experimental centers have been started around the globe following the model of Ananda Nagar. Most of them are in different stages of development, but all aim to reflect Sarkar’s vision.
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Source: Sentient Health: Happy and Holy Life through Water, by Ac. Jyotirishananda Avt.