Stepwells were underground structures used to store water in dry regions of India. They were essential for villagers as they provided a reliable water source for daily needs and farming. The ancient storage pools were soon forgotten when modern water systems came into existence, and now many of them are abandoned and in poor condition.
Out of the 3,000 stepwells identified in India, only about 400-500 are functional, according to experts.
There is a rising interest in restoring neglected architectural marvels, as more conservation architects, historians, and urban planners are working towards returning them to their original condition. They want to protect the design and past of the stepwells while also addressing India’s increasing water problem.
Some 17% of India’s groundwater aquifers are over-exploited, according to the country’s Central Groundwater Board, meaning that water is being extracted at a greater rate than it is able to recharge. The irregular monsoon seasons are exacerbating the problem of depleting water tables.
Due to this, numerous states that were already susceptible to drought and heavily reliant on groundwater are now experiencing severe water shortages, emphasizing the significance of preserving water.
The government of Rajasthan, a water-scarce region in northern India, collaborated with the World Bank to create a plan to restore cultural sites, including stepwells.
In addition to improving the ability of towns in drought-prone regions to support themselves, the restoration projects have also attracted tourists, resulting in an economic boost for the local area.
A notable case of this can be seen in Jodhpur, a city in Rajasthan heavily dependent on tourism. In 2017, the owners of the Raas hotel chain, whose mansion sits near the neglected Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell in the city’s center, undertook its restoration.
The Toorji Ka Jhalra has now become a highly sought-after tourist attraction, leading to the establishment of various businesses such as fashion boutiques and cafes aiming to benefit from the increased tourist spending.
The stepwell located next to the Nizamuddin Dargah, a renowned Sufi shrine, is considered a holy site due to the sacredness attributed to its water. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), a philanthropic foundation working to preserve heritage sites across the world, spent ten years restoring the Nizamuddin stepwell, which included the difficult task of removing 40 feet of sludge. This stepwell is just one of 16 stepwells that have been restored in New Delhi.
Stepwells mark the start of initiatives to revive water bodies for the local community. However, similar efforts need to be extended to all rivers, lakes, and other water structures we possess.
Reference- DW story, National Geographic, Central Groundwater Board website, UNESCO website