States » NorthPosted at: Oct 22 2026 8:58AM


Pinjore's medieval water heritage springs back to life as ancient baolis are rescued from oblivion

Panchkula, Oct 22 (UNI) Long before concrete dams and canal networks dominated the landscape, the Aravalli foothills of Haryana were watered by a quieter, more ingenious architecture: the baoli. These medieval stepwells, tiered stone structures that descended into the earth to tap hidden aquifers, were once the lifeline of the region, blending utilitarian water harvesting with extraordinary craftsmanship. Today, centuries after many fell into disuse and disrepair, Panchkula's Pinjore block is witnessing a rare resurrection of this forgotten heritage.
In step with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's broader vision of water conservation through community participation, and under the stewardship of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the Pinjore Panchayat Samiti has launched a quiet but remarkable campaign to restore the area's traditional stepwells. The first fruits of this effort are already visible in the villages of Chikan and Kharkua, where ancient baolis have been meticulously revived and their natural springs secured.
For historians and conservationists, the significance is profound. Baolis were never merely wells; they were sophisticated subterranean water temples that captured seasonal runoff, recharged groundwater, and served as communal hubs in an unforgiving terrain. In Haryana's dry hinterland, they represented an indigenous hydro-engineering tradition that predated modern plumbing by half a millennium. That Pinjore is now reclaiming this legacy speaks to a growing recognition that sustainable water security lies not just in new infrastructure, but in healing old ones.
The initiative has drawn strong political backing. Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, who has consistently advocated for the preservation of the region's natural and cultural heritage, formally inaugurated the restoration project at Burj Kotiya. Under her guidance, the administration has sought to reposition these structures not as crumbling relics, but as living heritage assets that can once again serve their original purpose: water conservation.
At the block level, the drive was spearheaded by Vinay Pratap Singh, Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Pinjore, who undertook the painstaking work of identifying traditional water sources and charting their revival. In the inaugural phase, the Chikan and Kharkua baolis were cleared, structurally secured, and their natural water channels rejuvenated, ensuring that the groundwater they tap remains protected.
"The baolis are not just old structures; they are integral to our traditional water management system, our natural springs, and our local identity," said an official associated with the project. "Their revival is an attempt to preserve both water and cultural memory."
The effort comes at a critical time. Across India, traditional water bodies have vanished under encroachment, siltation, and neglect, erasing both a cultural vocabulary and a practical buffer against drought. By choosing to restore rather than replace, Pinjore is effectively stitching its hydrological history back into the present.
Building on the success of the first phase, the Panchayat Samiti has announced that stepwells in Toran and Janoli will be revived next, even as the survey and identification of other traditional water sources continues. If the momentum holds, Pinjore may yet serve as a template for how small administrative units can leverage ancient wisdom to address contemporary ecological stress.
UNI KK IM
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