- City’s Ancient Rainwater Network to be Celebrated on World Monuments Watch Day, October 1
- UNESCO-style Initiative Spotlights Community-Driven Climate Resilience
- The city urgently needs to invest in its historic water infrastructure that feeds Hamirsar Lake, in order to build a strong and resilient community through culture-based climate action: Prof. Jigna Desai and Jayashree Bardhan of CEPT Research and Development Foundation
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 7
In a proud moment for India’s heritage and environmental stewardship, Bhuj’s historic water systems have been selected by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) as one of 25 global sites featured on the prestigious 2025 World Monuments Watch.
To mark this global recognition, a Watch Day celebration will be held in Bhuj on October 10, 2025, honouring the city’s centuries-old wisdom in water management and its continuing relevance in today’s climate-challenged world.
Organized by the World Monuments Fund India (WMFI), the Center for Heritage Conservation at CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), Homes in the City (HIC), and Bhuj Nagarpalika, the event aims to inspire citizens to reconnect with the city’s living heritage through guided walks, expert talks, interactive exhibits, and community dialogue.
Reviving a 16th-Century Water Legacy
Bhuj’s historic water system — first conceived in the 16th century under local rulers — was a visionary urban innovation that captured and channelled rainwater through a network of catchments, tanks, and channels feeding the Hamirsar Lake, the heart of the city. Over three centuries, it evolved into an intricate system that sustained Bhuj’s growth and resilience in a semi-arid landscape.
As Bhuj expands and modernises, however, many of these interlinked structures face neglect and encroachment. The Center for Heritage Conservation (CEPT University), which nominated the site for the Watch, emphasized the urgency of revival.
“The city urgently needs to invest in its historic water infrastructure that feeds Hamirsar Lake, in order to build a strong and resilient community through culture-based climate action,” said Prof. Jigna Desai and Jayashree Bardhan of CEPT Research and Development Foundation.
Community at the Core of Conservation
Highlighting WMF’s mission of people-led heritage preservation, Malini Thadani, Executive Director of WMF India, said: “Water plays such a significant role in our lives; our programme ‘Historic Water Bodies of India’ and the World Monuments Watch together shine a light on how communities can rejuvenate their traditional water systems across India.”
Aseem Mishra, Programme Director, Homes in the City, added:
“Bhuj’s traditional water systems remind us that our heritage offers practical solutions for today’s challenges. It is time we renew our efforts to protect and revive them — not just as symbols of the past, but as blueprints for resilient and sustainable cities.”
Watch Day Highlights – October 10, 2025
📍 Venue: Khengarji Park, near Hamirsar Lake, Bhuj
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
The celebrations will feature:
- A guided heritage walk tracing the ancient rainwater catchment and channels leading to Hamirsar Lake
- Interactive displays, screenings, and storytelling sessions showcasing the site’s history and conservation challenges
- A public gathering and talks introducing the World Monuments Watch and Bhuj’s global recognition
The event is open to all residents, students, and visitors, inviting them to rediscover the ingenuity that has sustained Bhuj for centuries — and to take part in shaping a water-secure future.
A living model for climate-resilient urbanism
Bhuj’s inclusion in the 2025 World Monuments Watch positions it as a model for other Indian cities seeking to integrate traditional wisdom with modern water security planning. As citizens, conservationists, and policymakers converge on October 10, Bhuj once again proves that heritage and sustainability are two sides of the same coin.
