Introduction: Ancient Streams, Modern Applause

In the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, where farms are built on terraced slopes and glacial streams flow down the valleys, an old and clever method called the kuhl system is used to water the fields.Now, this traditional knowledge has found global resonance through the documentary Stream-Story, directed by Amit Dutta. The film has received the Mention Spéciale — Prix du Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel 2025 (Special Mention — Intangible Cultural Heritage Award 2025) at Cinéma du Réel, a prestigious international documentary film festival in France.

This award, backed by the French Ministry of Culture, honours cinematic narratives that preserve and celebrate living traditions and knowledge systems—highlighting the enduring relevance of kuhls as both a physical structure and a cultural symbol.

What Are Kuhls?

Kuhls are surface irrigation channels, traditionally used in the Kangra Valley and other parts of Himachal Pradesh, that divert water from naturally flowing streams or khuds to agricultural fields. These channels are not mechanised or powered by modern pumps—instead, they rely on gravity and the careful channelling of glacial meltwater to irrigate terraced fields across the mountainous terrain.

Constructed using local materials such as earth, stones, and river boulders, kuhls are eco-friendly and resilient. They represent traditional engineering ingenuity, well adapted to the region’s ecology.

The Role of Kohlis: Guardians of the Flow

At the heart of the kuhl system are the Kohlis—traditional water masters tasked with managing the fair distribution of water. Their responsibilities include:

• Supervising the allocation of water to fields.
• Mediating conflicts among farmers.
• Organising the periodic maintenance of the channels.

The title of Kohli is often hereditary, passed down through generations, underscoring the depth of indigenous knowledge and social responsibility embedded in the practice.

Structure and Function: Engineering Simplicity, Ecological Harmony

The construction of a kuhl begins with a temporary headwall, typically made of river boulders, to divert water from the stream into the man-made canal. From there, the water travels through:

• Canals: Channels leading from the headwall to various terraced fields.
• Moghas: Earthen outlets strategically placed to direct water to specific fields.

The water irrigates each field sequentially, ensuring that excess water flows back into the khud, thus preserving the natural water cycle and preventing wastage.

Sustainability and Community Stewardship

Kuhls are more than irrigation structures—they are community assets, built and maintained through collective labour and traditional governance systems. The shared upkeep of kuhls fosters a sense of unity, cooperation, and environmental stewardship.

Their ecological sustainability is notable:

• Built with biodegradable, local materials.
• No dependency on fossil fuels or external machinery.
• Supports climate-resilient agriculture in fragile ecosystems.

This community-based management model is a powerful counterpoint to the often fragmented and resource-intensive nature of modern water infrastructure.

Stream-Story: Water as a Living Archive

In Stream-Story, filmmaker Amit Dutta transforms the kuhl into a narrative device—a witness to history, culture, and tradition. The film goes beyond the visible infrastructure to explore:

• Cosmologies and oral traditions surrounding water.
• Seasonal rituals associated with kuhl maintenance.
• The philosophy of shared resources rooted in mountain communities.

Produced by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the film has brought international attention to a practice that has long remained underrepresented in popular media.

The documentary is not just a visual exploration—it is a poetic tribute to traditional ecological knowledge and the symbiosis between humans and their environment.

Global Recognition: A Milestone for Cultural Preservation

The Mention Spéciale awarded at Cinéma du Réel aligns with the vision of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which aims to protect oral traditions, rituals, traditional craftsmanship, and more.

This recognition has elevated the status of kuhls from a regional heritage to a global model of sustainable living. It also reflects the importance of documenting and honouring indigenous systems, not just for cultural pride but for their relevance in tackling contemporary ecological challenges.

Conclusion: Flowing Forward with Tradition

Kuhls remind us that innovation is not always new—sometimes, it lies in the wisdom of the past. As water scarcity, climate change, and ecological degradation dominate global discourse, practices like the kuhl system offer time-tested alternatives grounded in sustainability, equity, and community.

Stream-Story has done more than tell a tale—it has opened a window into the spirit of a people and the flow of knowledge that sustains them. The global recognition of this film is a call to protect, promote, and learn from such traditions, ensuring they continue to nourish both land and culture for generations to come.

Did You Know?
Topics like sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems, and intangible cultural heritage frequently appear in UPSC and state PSC exams. Learn how to approach such questions effectively at Jokta Academy, the best coaching institute in Chandigarh for IAS, HAS, and other competitive exams.