Stepwell Approach and DRR

Fariha Ali

Fariha Ali is a Field Correspondent for Know Disasters and also works as a GIS Associate in Genesis Ray Energy Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram.

“Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Why is earth a unique planet? Every planet has a solid landmass and several gases, but planet earth has one more element available that makes it different from the rest. That is Water. Water is vital for the survival of every organism on earth. It is the greatest gift of nature. We have also seen how vital is for human existence. Most ancient civilisations flourished near rivers. The Indus and Harappan civilisations are two such examples.

Earth has several resources and there are many ways to conserve them. Every generation has different methods for water conservation.

Let us ask ourselves:

(a) Why do we need to conserve? A simple question always has a simple answer: it is depleted.

(b) Why are resources depleted?

This question does not have the same answer. There are multiple answers backed by many reasons, and most times, excuses. In the blame game melee, no one talks about changing their style of functioning to develop out-of-the-box solutions.

I want to ask one more question:

Why do we deplete our resources?

The most common answers are:

  • “We all thought our next generation are zombies who do not need resources to survive. That is why we use, take advantage and destroy what we have.”
  • “In school, we learn the Give and Take approach. If we get something from someone, we need to do something in return for them.”

But in the name of development, we always take from earth but do not return anything sustainable to it. We use it for human development but few do anything for earth’s survival.

On the occasion of International Disaster Risk Reduction, I want to highlight some of the conservation plans developed in ancient times but are not fully utilised according to the purpose they were developed. As the theme of this issue reminds us, “Maintaining DRR” is a basic understanding that overcomes and reduces the impact of any hazard from becoming a disaster.

It is often said that water wars will cause World War III as conservation methods are not properly followed and maintained. We all seem to have this notion that it is not our duty to save and to protect. We feel that life is unfair and that we are not given what is due to us but, we do not think of people who do not receive even the most basic resources for survival or what an individual has to go through to get his basic needs met.

Water is available in abundance, but only 2.5% is available for drinking purposes. For this 2.5%, we might have to fight and shed blood. Our ancient ancestors were visionaries. They knew that the survival of the human race depends much on the availability of water. To ensure that generations after them have enough water for different purposes, they came up with these amazing concepts of constructing stepwells to store rainwater should a drought arise. As Victoria Lautman, journalist and author say, “Stepwells are spectacular subterranean edifices like skyscrapers sunk into the earth.” This subterranean edifice and water source is an architectural form popular throughout India but particularly in arid regions of the country. These stepwells have for centuries provided water for drinking, washing, bathing, and the irrigation of crops. They also served as cool sanctuaries for caravans, pilgrims, and other travellers during the heat of the day or overnight. These complex engineering feats were commissioned by royal, wealthy, or powerful patrons. There are around 2000 stepwells in India. Only a few of them are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India while most are left to crumble. The fact is that these stepwells are a testament to the genius minds of our ancestors. We need to maintain them so they can continue to help serve the purpose for which they were conceptualised and built.

Here is a list of some of the famous stepwells still existing today:

Most of the stepwells were abandoned as a result of modernisation and falling water tables. Their upkeep was neglected their upkeep, thus allowing them to silt up, fill with garbage, or generally crumble into ruin. During British rule, many were destroyed as they were deemed unhygienic breeding grounds for diseases. The water crisis we are experiencing now has renewed an interest in stepwells and the government has begun to preserve some of them. We can solve lots of water storage problems by making them functional again. I will come with a sequel to this article where I will highlight how stepwells can be used for future water storage techniques with little more research.

Source:

https://www.holidify.com/pages/stepwells-in-india-605.html

https://www.indiatoday.in/travel/story/7-most-beautiful-stepwells

one-must-see-before-they-disappear-262800-2015-09-14

https://www.indiatoday.in/travel/story/7-most-beautiful-stepwells

one-must-see-before-they-disappear-262800-2015-09-14

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