Though the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks is prescribed for houses in the building bylaws of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), most building owners in the city are openly flouting the provision with impunity, providing for these provisions only on paper. Housing societies and residential complexes, which have sprung up in the city, don’t fare any better. MDDA’s attempts to promote use of environment friendly methods like rainwater harvesting, use of non- conventional energy sources and providing more open spaces for groundwater recharge and plantation have proved to be fruitless. Talking to The Pioneer, MDDA Secretary Bansidhar Tiwari said, “It is compulsory for owners of residential, commercial and Government buildings to incorporate a rainwater harvesting system in the building.” Responding to a question on action taken against the erring building owners, Tiwari said, “We haven’t filed any case or initiated action against anyone violating this provision.” An ever growing population, increasing demand for water, increasing urbanisation and covering up of ground surface has led to the groundwater level going down. Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) is a method of collection and storage of rainwater and surface runoff in unlined and lined surface reservoirs, which can later be utilised for groundwater recharge, adding to the groundwater. Other uses for such water include gardening, cleaning, washing and other day-to-day uses. Designing a rooftop rainwater harvesting system entails slanting the roof appropriately, preferably towards the direction of storage and recharge and designing gutters or down pipes. Among the several factors that influence the rainwater harvesting potential of a site, eco-climatic conditions and the catchment characteristics are considered to be the most important. Scientists and researchers have time and again underlined the potential of rainwater harvesting in Dehradun, owing to its favorable rainfall pattern (average annual rainfall is approximately 2000 mm) and hydro-geological conditions (movement of groundwater) as the terrain is favorable and accepts rainfall. According to Meteorological Department Director Anand Sharma, “There is huge potential for rainwater harvesting in Dehradun as it is a high rainfall area. Average rainfall in the month of July alone is 700 millimetres. It has rained around 303 millimetres this July.” In the mountainous areas, rainwater can be harvested by the construction of check dams which have been constructed in the Thano area of Raipur for rainwater harvesting with positive results. In the urban areas, rainwater can be harvested by channeling water from rooftops to pits and storage tanks. A small 10 by 10 feet surface can collect approximately 150 to 220 litres of water from one inch rainfall. Anita Dobhal, a nature lover who has installed a rainwater harvesting system in her house says, “We think we are doing our bit for the environment. We have a ground pit to recharge the groundwater. There should also be awareness drives to educate people about the practice of rainwater harvesting.”