Reviving Stepwells: A Path towards Sustainable Water Harvesting in Bundi

This study focuses on the deteriorating condition of stepwells in Bundi, Rajasthan, and proposes strategies to revive these traditional water harvesting structures. The availability of groundwater in the region has steadily decreased due to factors such as decreasing rainfall, excessive exploitation of groundwater, and changing consumer habits. The neglect of stepwells, once the primary source of water in Bundi, has led to their deterioration and potential destruction. The causes for their current state include unplanned urban expansion, the filling of natural water recharge channels, and a decline in average annual rainfall. To address these issues, various steps have been undertaken, including the identification of heritage sites and awareness campaigns for water conservation. Recommendations to revive stepwells include creating public awareness, unblocking water channels, improving water flow in lakes, implementing bans on tube well usage, reforesting the surrounding hills, and engaging NGOs, the archaeological department, and social organizations in the maintenance and revival efforts. By reviving traditional water harvesting methods, such as stepwells, the region can embrace sustainable development and secure its water resources for the future.