ALN logo; link to Arid Lands Newsletter Home page ALN No. 57, May/June 2005
Water efficiency II: Rural areas and agriculture

Reed et al., Figure 3: Traditional approach to drinking surface water in Rajasthan

As this photograph shows, women may drink surface water directly from a talab, using cupped hands to drink the water through the mesh of their headscarf veil ("dupatta"). Brightly coloured dupattas and saris of pink, orange and red are typical of this part of Rajasthan. Water collection vessels made of iron and brass are also visible, alongside a plastic jerry can.

A Rajasthani woman drinks from cupped hands while a child and a man look on

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