It all began with a small pond which he constructed at his home for farming a fish breed called Giant Gourami 24 years ago. Now, this 50-year-old mathematics graduate from Kottayam in Kerala is a leading expert in rainwater harvesting, tackling water scarcity by constructing over 180 ponds, including several international projects.
Arun K Jans of Kunnonni village in Kottayam grew up with a fascination for fish farming and had to dig multiple ponds for it. Over the years, he carefully maintained 25 ponds on his land, relying solely on rainwater to replenish them. This hands-on experience in managing and optimising water storage gave him practical expertise in water conservation: a knowledge that gradually transformed his career path.
“Fish farming taught me how precious water is and how efficient storage is key. Maintaining ponds requires more than just filling them with water. It’s about understanding soil, water flow, and how to prevent evaporation or seepage loss,” Arun told “Open Digest.“
As climate concerns and water shortages intensified, he saw an opportunity to contribute on a larger scale. “Though I have been a successful fish farmer breeding and selling thousands of Giant Gourami in the last two decades, people started approaching me seeking my help to construct ponds using rainwater as the primary source. My experience in constructing ponds for fish farming gave me practical insights into pond architecture and storage capacity,” Arun said.
Arun uses high-quality PVC nylon sheets for constructing ponds that can store large volumes of water. He has also done swimming pool projects harvesting rain water. Since shifting his focus to rainwater harvesting, he has taken on over 180 projects, building ponds and rainwater storage systems not only across India but also in countries like Maldives.
His projects include large-scale farm ponds and customised harvesting solutions for industries. “Water scarcity is not just a local issue — it’s global. Every drop counts,” he added. His work has gained recognition for its impact in regions where communities and farmers have benefited from his water-saving initiatives.
