Biprasar Talaab through the seasons
The transformation of Biprasar Talaab began more than a decade ago, when community members from six to seven villages in Jaisalmer, together with Sambhaav members, set out to restore the ancient taanda—a group of shallow percolation wells called beris. These beris are recharged by palaar paani, the surface water from the lake that gradually seeps into the ground.
We revived 24 out of nearly 120 beris, the shallow percolation wells in the centuries-old talaab. The beris of Biprasar Talaab serve as a secondary water source for 12 villages, supplying water during droughts when the surface water dries up. Raised platforms called chowkhis were built next to each beri; these platforms prevent silt from entering the wells, keeping them usable and reducing the need for maintenance.
Restoration efforts included strengthening the embankment and removing invasive species. These actions increased the lake’s water-holding capacity. The work has been a collaborative journey. Villagers contributed labor and, even today, continue to maintain the talaab.
Today, the beris remain essential for both people and livestock. They sustain the community and uphold a tradition of resilience and communal effort.
For more details about the work done in Birpasar, you can visit our Flickr album.