The ancient irrigation systems have been built from 5th century BC to 12th century AD for 17 centuries. For example, the medium size Basavakkulama tank with a water spread of 107 ha was built around 300 B.C.
These medium and large reservoirs were connected to thousands of village level tank network that collected rainwater and shared water resources.
Each village had a small reservoir, called tank that collected and supplied water for irrigation, amenity and recreation.
Most of this traditional system has been replaced by large scale modern irrigation systems that are more efficient and centrally managed. However we are now discovering the environmental and societal services these systems have provided and are being revived.
