He brought over 600 water bodies back to life. His next mission: saving India’s vanishing stepwells
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TL;DR
- India faces a growing water crisis, leading to the revival of ancient stepwells as a potential solution.
- Stepwells are ancient, subterranean, terraced structures designed to store and access water.
- Environmentalist Arun Krishnamurthy and his organization EFI are leading the restoration efforts.
- EFI has restored 657 water bodies, including two stepwells, and plans to restore six more by 2026.
- Restoration requires specialized traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, alongside community engagement.
- The Moosi Rani Sagar stepwell in Alwar, Rajasthan, was EFI's first stepwell restoration project.
- Water holds deep spiritual significance in India, with many stepwells featuring intricate carvings and divine sculptures.
- Public awareness campaigns and community ownership are crucial for the long-term preservation of stepwells.