Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN-F) initiated a preliminary study of the qanat/karez system initially under the framework of a 3 year MOU with the Government of Karnataka and with the support of the District Administration.

Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN-F) initiated a preliminary study of the qanat/karez system initially under the framework of a 3 year MOU with the Government of Karnataka and with the support of the District Administration.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

Through field reconnaissance aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) locations, 21 air-vents (as recorded by Ghulam Yazdani in 1917) were mapped. Excessive debris deposition noted in the qanat/karez gallery that was preventing smooth flow of water.

An Initial Research report was submitted to the Government of Karnataka with a proposal to rehabilitate the qanat/karez and its neighborhood.

Field visit by representative of ICQHS led to inspection of the qanat/karez and submission of a mission report which is still used as a guiding factor to temper the whole approach. Field visit by DHF representatives helped initiate preliminary discussion towards fund raising for the project.

Socio-economic study initiated by MAGC and volunteers from Team YUVAA.

Initiation of the de-silting of the qanat/karez gallery by the District Administration, Bidar under the supervision of the  Tourism department

A tripartite MoU was signed between IHCN-F, ICQHS and DHF.

The funding support from DHF helped initiate detailed studies and investigation for the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Naubad qanat/karez.ICQHS, UNESCO Category-II institute offered technical assistance for the project

Initiation of the de-silting of the qanat/karez gallery by the District Administration, Bidar under the supervision of the  Tourism department

Initiation of the de-silting of the qanat/karez gallery by the District Administration, Bidar under the supervision of the  Tourism department

A tripartite MoU was signed between IHCN-F, ICQHS and DHF.

The funding support from DHF helped initiate detailed studies and investigation for the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Naubad qanat/karez.ICQHS, UNESCO Category-II institute offered technical assistance for the project

Work on developing a Landscape master plan to enhance the significance of the qanat/karez at Naubad initiated by FICUS Landscape Architects.

Work on developing a Landscape master plan to enhance the significance of the qanat/karez at Naubad initiated by FICUS Landscape Architects.

Topographic survey of the qanat/karez area

Design charrette anchored by FICUS Landscape Architects.

Design charrette anchored by FICUS Landscape Architects.

Second field visit by ICQHS representative to review progress of works.

The Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad engaged for providing expertise in Geo-technical, Geology, Geohydrology and Structural engineering for the project.

The Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad engaged for providing expertise in Geo-technical, Geology, Geohydrology and Structural engineering for the project.

Submission of Landscape Development and Environmental Improvement proposal (Phase 1) to the Bidar District Administration for further implementation. 

Water accumulation in the qanat/karez gallery since October 2016

Water accumulation in the qanat/karez gallery since October 2016

Water accumulation in the qanat/karez gallery since October 2016

An MoU was signed between Nestle India Pvt. Ltd. and Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) India by which DHF India was provided with a grant to implement a Solid Waste Management Project in the Karez area to ensure that no wastes end up in the Karez wells and tunnel.

An MoU was signed with Saahas NGO to carry out solid waste management in the Karez area in Naubad, Bidar for a period of one year.

 An electric three-wheeled vehicle, gifted to the DHF by MGE, was purchased to be used for waste collection and transport.

 A baseline survey was conducted in the Karez area to ascertain the number of houses there and to observe the existing waste collection and disposal system. Residents were sensitized to segregate wastes before disposal.

Waste collection commenced in a phased manner, with 400 households. Bags were first distributed to each household to collect dry and wet wastes in, separately. As expected, mixed wastes were given in the beginning and residents were urged to segregate them. 

The sorting of dry wastes into eight different categories (Plastic-HDPE, PETE, Milk pouches, Carton, Paper, Glass bottle, white and Non recyclables) for further processing and recycling began.

Eight composting bins made of steel mesh were installed to be used to transform wet wastes into manure.

Waste collection was extended to 600 houses.

A truckload of non-recyclable wastes weighing 4.35 tonnes was dispatched for incineration as fuel to the ACC Cement Plant in Wadi, Karnataka.

 The Karez Waste Management Team actively participated in cleanliness drives as part of the World Environment Day on June 5th, in addition to conducting awareness sessions among the waste pickers of the CMC.

Waste collection was extended to 650 houses and 167 businesses.

The Programme had stabilized by this time and the streets began looking visibly cleaner. The amount of wastes collected was high, an indication of the ceasing of wastes being dumped in the open. 

The Karez Waste Management Team organized a ‘Walk for Cleanliness’ in the Karez area in association with the Bharat Scouts and Guides and Team Yuva (A local volunteer organization).

The team conducted awareness sessions pertaining to the harmful effects of open dumping and burning of garbage, proper waste management and disposal, segregation at source, etc. at a government school in the area

Awareness sessions were also began for women's Self Help Groups (SHG). They were urged to inform their neighbours about segregating wastes.

The Programme was extended by another 11 months by way of another MoU between DHF India and Saahas NGO.

The waste management team drove around the streets of the Karez area with large posters, making loudspeaker announcements and playing songs to instill awareness in the residents about cleanliness and responsible waste management. 

 In the farm where the compost from the team’s composting units was used, the use of chemical fertilisers was reduced by 50% and the yield was abundant.

The Programme was extended by a further 10 months with the help of funds from DHF Ltd., London.

Daily door-to-door collection of wastes in the Karez area continued despite the nation-wide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19. The members of the Karez waste management team are on the front-line of the fight against the virus and through them the Conservation of the Karez in Naubad continues.