Old wells in Doon to be revived to conserve water

Dehradun: A part of Dehradun’s latest water conservation plan is identifying old wells in the city and restoring them ahead of monsoon. The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has instructed the administration and relevant departments to identify old wells in the city, restore them and use them for water preservation. The state capital is known for its famous wells, many dug during British rule, which were used to store and supply water through a widespread canal network. Some of these are well-known tourist attractions too. However, most of these have fallen into disrepair now. “In recent meetings with the chief minister and chief secretary, the focus has been on water conservation in the city. With this goal in mind, a rain water harvesting format has been developed for high rises and commercial buildings that will be shared with them soon. Besides, the administration has been asked to start identifying old wells in the city and adjoining areas like Vikas Nagar and Mussoorie. These will be restored and then used for conservation purposes,” said a spokesperson of the MDDA.Experts and historians in the city said unless the wells are actually restored and used, simply identifying them will not work. Gopal Bhardwaj, Mussoorie-based historian, said, “The higher you go, the wells start to disappear. There aren’t too many to be found at high altitudes. However, Mussoorie used to have old structures that were used to capture snow. Now, we have only one popular well, commonly known as the Wishing Well. It was built in 1827 and is still providing water to the locals.”Bhardwaj said that over time, most of the structures have been lost and those that have survived lie in neglect, “despite their historical significance”. The famous Shore well in Dehradun, is surrounded by crumbling bricks and scattered garbage.Officials said that while there is no current estimate of the number of such old wells, once the identification process is done, the numbers will become clear.VC, MDDA, Bansidhar Tiwari, said, “We have already started working on some of the wells, like Rishikund in Rishikesh. Any others that are identified in the city area will be restored. Canals will be restored too.”
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