1,800 stepwells mapped covering 17k km under conservation drive

Nagpur: Rohan Kale, founder of Maharashtra Stepwell Campaign and an HR professional in an IT company, has mapped and documented over 1,800 stepwells in the state covering around 17,000km. The motto is to draw attention towards these stepwells so that they are protected and conserved with the help of authorities and people’s participation.
Rohan on Saturday appealed to citizens to volunteer and come forward to be a part of his campaign. He was speaking as the guest speaker at a seminar on Maharashtra Stepwell Campaign, preservation & conservation of stepwells through people’s participation organized by INTACH, Nagpur chapter, and Directorate of Tourism at Directorate of Tourism regional office.
“Stepwells are known by different names in various regions like Barav, Bawdi, Ghodebav, Pokharbav, Tali, Pushkarni, Pokhar, Helical stepwells and Stepped well. They were built for vyapari marg (trade routes), ghatwata (mountain passes), mahamarg (national/state highways), Jyotirlinga/Ashtavinayak /Shiva temples, local gramdaivat temples, samadhi, wada, yatra routes on hill, land, coastal, sea forts etc,” he said.
He felt the need to start such a campaign after seeing dilapidated condition of stepwells in the state. “Regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha are facing water scarcity, groundwater level is declining while dependency on water tankers is increasing.
“There is no documentation of stepwells. Dynasty-wise grouping was also not available and there is lack of recognition as heritage structures,” he said.
Rohan led a drive in which lamps were lit around 160 stepwells during Shivratri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the work in his Mann ki Baat programme.
“Maharashtra Heritage Mahotsav with events like bhajans, kirtans, folk dances should be organized showcasing around these places.
Nitika S Ramani, co-convenor, INTACH Nagpur, thanked Rohan for coming to Nagpur and sharing his work through a presentation, “which would help in creating awareness for preservation and conservation of these stepwells”.
Madhura Rathod, convenor, INTACH Nagpur, said soon teams of volunteers would be constituted to take this important issue ahead in Vidarbha.