In the core desert region of Jaisalmer, deep artesian wells known as pataali kuans have long been a vital water source for local communities and their livestock, especially during drought years. These wells, built in dry stone masonry and ranging from 150 to 450 feet deep, traditionally lacked permanent superstructures in some areas.
Starting in the 2000s, village communities in Ramgarh block undertook collective efforts to improve these wells by constructing chaukis (elevated stone platforms), paats (troughs), kothas (storage tanks for livestock), kapooriyas (storage for human use), and khelis (drinking troughs for animals) using local stone—a design inspired by older wells elsewhere in the district. This not only provided better water storage and reduced the frequency and difficulty of drawing water (from daily camel-drawn lifts to every 2-3 days), but also protected the wells from windblown sand and reduced maintenance needs.
The restoration work, which included de-silting, masonry repairs, and the construction of new structures, was carried out entirely by local herders with support from skilled artisans. This marked the first time in past couple of decades that herders collectively mobilised their own resources for such a community task.
Across the four restored pataali kuans in Jaisalmer—Maithi, Isawal, Girduwala, and Khariya—a total of approximately 65 families and 36,000 livestock depend on these wells for water in 2013. In 2013 alone, these regions collectively generated Rs 2.3 crore in livestock sales.
Today, while water is mostly drawn using pumps and tubewells, the kothas and khelis remain central to daily water storage and livestock care, ensuring these traditional systems continue to support the livestock in the region.