Chicago-based journalist Victoria Lautman recently published a series of photographs that document India's abandoned water stepwells. The subterranean structures were originally built to store monsoon rainwater for future use. However, years of disuse and disrepair have left many of these stepwells abandoned.
Despite the fact that they are no longer in use, the neglected stepwells are extremely beautiful. Lautman's photographs capture the beauty of the stepwells and help to raise awareness about how quickly the structures are disappearing. Although some have been protected as heritage sites, others have been filled with urban waste. The pictures display the water stepwells in various states of disrepair, which is telling of India's majestic past and the need to protect its historic structures.
The photo series displays India's remarkable history of water conservation and demonstrates the need for awareness about protecting this rich piece of cultural heritage.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Water Conservation Tourism
- Creating tourism opportunities that highlight cultural heritage through conservation of water resources.
- Historical Restoration
- Investment and development in restoration techniques and technologies to help preserve historical structures.
- Sustainable Architecture
- Fostering the design of water conservation infrastructure that incorporates sustainable building materials and techniques.
Where This Applies
- Tourism
- Creating tourism opportunities centered around the conservation of water resources and historical structures.
- Historical Preservation
- Developing techniques and technologies to help preserve historical structures and cultural heritage.
- Construction
- Fostering sustainable architecture and building designs that incorporate water conservation infrastructure.
