Jodhpur has a unique problem. Unlike other cities, it is
dealing with excess groundwater. Reusing its traditional water structures is
the way forward.
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"Jatene dekho utene bawri" (wherever
you look, there’s a stepwell). This is how the woman standing on the threshold
of her house, in the walled city of Jodhpur, told us when we asked where we
could find stepwells in her neighbourhood.
According to Rajyavallabh and Prasad Mandan,
two traditional books on town planning in Rajasthan, an ideal city should have
40 stepwells. Jodhpur has more than 100, some hidden away in its many narrow
alleys.
All over India, stepwells are on the verge of extinction,
barring a few big ones that have survived on being turned into local touristic
wonders. Jodhpur, however, has the unique distinction of not only maintaining
these structures well, but also using the water for domestic and recreational
purposes. In fact, the city’s stepwell system is an example of what can be
achieved through people’s participation.
Jodhpur| Marwar| Rajasthan
Livejodhpur.in
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