Step Wells of Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan, India: Implication for Hydro-geosites and Hydro-geotourism

• Published in: Geoheritage Vol. 16; no. 2
• Main Authors: Rathore, Shiv Singh, Mathur, Saurabh, Mathur, S. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-06-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biogeosciences; Civil engineering; Conservation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Economic development; Geodiversity; Geoheritage; Geology; Historical Geology; Hydrogeology; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Medieval period; Mineralogy; Negligence; Original Paper; Paleontology; Physical Geography; Sustainable development; Water harvesting; Water wells; Wells; Rajasthan India; India; Hydrogeological diversity; Water conservation; Hydro-geosites and Hydro-geotourism; Step wells; Jodhpur
• ISSN: 1867-2477; 1867-2485
• DOI: 10.1007/s12371-024-00919-z

Geodiversity is defined as the variety of geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydrogeological phenomena (IUCN 
2022
). Step wells in India are magnificent groundwater bodies characterized by their greater values of hydrogeological geodiversity. Step wells of Jodhpur situated in the Thar Desert of western India are locally known as Jhalra and Baori which are good practices of ground water harvesting, conservation and management system of medieval period. Furthermore, these are magnificent artefacts showcasing historical-cultural (archeological), Architectural and civil engineering geo-monumental heritage of India. In absence of any methodology and guidelines, the hydrological heritage aspects of step wells are least understood and were not adequately explored for their geoheritage values. The present study explores in light of their potential to characterize and recognize them as hydro-geosites of hydro-geoheritage values to promote hydro-geotourism in India. Thus, based on the proposed methodology, out of 134 inventoried step wells of Jodhpur, eight are selected as hydro-geosites for their characterization to be utilized them for educational and hydro-geotourism purposes. Very less number of qualified hydro-geosites clearly reveals that most of them are in pathetic stage due to their negligence since long time that needs urgent conservation. For their conservation, these hydro-geosites should be protected as an important geoheritage sites similar to National Geological Monument (NGM) and Monument of National Interest (MNI) in India. Further, the self-sustainable economic development through awareness and hydro-geotourism would be the best tools for their conservation, promotion and for socioeconomic developments of the region.