Context- Recently A New York-based non-governmental organisation has included Suranga Bawadi water system in the World Monument Watch list for 2020 along with 24 other monuments from across the world.

The monument has been selected under the ‘Ancient Water System of the Deccan Plateau’ by World Monuments Fund [the NGO], which monitors restoration of ancient monuments across the globe

Suranga Bawadi 

• It is the unique underground water system in Bijapur karnataka will receive funds for restoration work
• Suranga Bawadi, an integral part of the ancient Karez system of supplying water through subterranean tunnels built during Adil Shahi era in Vijayapura, 

Karez system

The karez technology basically taps into the ground water sources (or natural springs) and transports it through an underground tunnel to the settlement, ending in surface canal and/or pools in the village for various uses like drinking, washing, ablution, watering livestock, and also further used for irrigating fields, orchards and gardens.

Introduction of Kariz in India

• Karez system was built by Bahmani kings in 15th Century by the Bahmani kings in Bidar, Gulbarg and Bijapur in Karnataka and also in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
• This system was necessary in a city like Bidar where the soil was rocky and drilling wells to accommodate drinking water was difficult.
• It is believed that the Muslim rulers of Bidar, under the expert advice of Persian engineers followed Karez system by laying subterranean canals in the heart of the rock by widening the natural rift.
• The Naubad Karez is estimated to have been constructed during the Bahmani Period (1347 – 1518 AD). The Karez was probably directed towards developing infrastructure for a village at Naubad.

      Preserving Karez in India

• The Naubad Karez has nearly 21 square shaped manholes were cut at suitable points to conserve ground water.
• The modern methods of ground water extraction have largely impacted the water availability in Bidar which already receives low rainfall.
• The centuries old Kariz system should be rehabilitated and promoted as traditional means of irrigation and drinking water supply.
• The educational value of this historic system is highly relevant in the present days of water disputes that are prevailing at local, regional, national and international level.

Why restore Karez?

• Ground water has become the most vulnerable water resources because it has few higher qualities compared to surface water as it is protected from the direct pollution and most importantly the seasonal and perineal fluctuations hardly matter and ground water is much more uniformly spread and conserving ground water is cost effective and reliable and is suitable for any kind of land. Hence ground water conservation and recharging has been gaining momentum across world.

World monument fund

• World Monuments Fund is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by individuals concerned about the accelerating destruction of important artistic treasures throughout the world. Now celebrating 50 years, World Monuments Fund has orchestrated over 600 projects in 90 countries
• The World Monuments Watch, a global program launched in 1995 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of World Monuments Fund, aims to identify imperiled cultural heritage sites and direct financial and technical support for their preservation.

World monument watch

• The World Monuments Watch is a biennial selection program of ‘at-risk cultural heritage sites’ that combine great historical significance with contemporary social impact.
• It is a nomination-based program that uses cultural heritage conservation to empower communities and improve human well-being.
• The program also seeks to improve the resilience of communities, enhance social inclusion, and build new capacities in the heritage conservation field and beyond.
• Anyone can nominate a site to the World Monuments Watch, including private individuals and representatives of civil society organizations, community groups, government agencies, educational institutions, or other entities.
• Currently Historic water system of deccan plateau and sardar vallabh bhai patel stadium (Ahmedabad) are on watchlist