Karez Water System
News –Â
- Recent unauthorized digging has damaged the centuries-old NaubadâAliyabad karez in Bidar, causing the district administration to halt activities to protect this ancient water system.
Karez (Qanat):
- It is an ancient underground water-harvesting system.
- It uses a gently sloping horizontal tunnel to bring groundwater from higher areas to the surface using gravity.
- Key Design Features: The system includes vertical shafts at regular intervals for air and maintenance. Because the water flows underground, it highly minimizes water evaporation and contamination.
- Historical Background: It was built in the 15th century during the Bahmani Sultanate. It is one of India’s earliest adaptations of Persian-Central Asian water technology.
- Unique Geology: The Bidar karez is extremely rare because it is carved entirely through laterite rock, unlike most others globally that are built in limestone or soft soil.
- Ecological Importance: It is not just a monument, but a living groundwater recharge system that can help solve Bidar’s chronic water shortage. If properly conserved, it has the potential to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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