Bhuj Historic Water Systems India - World Monuments Watch 2025

‘Bhuj Historic Water Systems, India’ is one amongst 25 sites included on the World Monuments Watch 2025. The site’s nomination was submitted by Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC), CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). The nominators of the site are Prof. Jigna Desai, Head of CHC, and Jayashree Bardhan, Program Lead for Assessment and Training at CHC. CHC has collaborated with the Bhuj-based ‘Homes in the City’ (HIC) program for this nomination and has developed it in consultation with local stakeholders. Inclusion on the 2025 World Monuments Watch calls for greater awareness of these water systems and seeks to support efforts to revitalise them for the city’s long-term water security.  

The Site
In a region with no perennial rivers and a harsh climate, the Hamirsar Lake of Bhuj was built in the 16th century during Jadeja Rajput reign to sustain the city’s water needs. Over the next three centuries, a network of features such as lakes, water channels, underground aqueduct, flood control gates, overflow bunds, stepped wells and wells grew around the lake, directing water from nearby watersheds to support the city’s growth. The system now faces several issues. 

Watch Day at Bhuj
The site ‘celebrated its Watch Day on 10th October 2025 along with officials of local government agencies, representatives from local educational institutions, NGOs, residents of Bhuj and visitors. The event was organised by World Monuments Fund India (WMFI), Center for Heritage Conservation at CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CHC, CRDF), Homes in the City (HIC), and Bhuj Nagarpalika.

The activities on the Watch Day included an expert-led guided tour for invited representatives from local agencies and educational institutions through the dilapidating Lakki-Mochirai catchment. In the evening, Khengarji Park on the banks of Hamirsar Lake became a space for a public understanding of the Watch Site with displays, discussions and stories. A 20-minute video was screened, narrating the water system’s history, associated folklores, features and issues in the present functioning of the system.

The Watch Day video is available on our Youtube Channel: CHC CRDF