Bharat Biotech Restores Historic Stepwells in Telangana
Bharat Biotech has teamed up with CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), Telangana, and SAHE (The Society for Advancement of Human Endeavor) to restore ancient stepwells at Ammapalli Temple and Salar Jung Museum in Telangana. This project is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. By bringing these stepwells back to life, the company aims to preserve cultural heritage, promote water conservation, and boost eco-heritage tourism in Telangana.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat Biotech and SAHE. The agreement was signed in the presence of key officials, including Sri Anumula Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister for Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture, and Smt. A. Vani Prasad, Principal Secretary of Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture.
Mrs. Suchitra Ella, Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, expressed the company’s commitment to the project. “Through our humble contribution, we are supporting a far-reaching cause to breathe new life into these vital, ancient stepwells, inspiring the community to engage with its rich heritage and promoting sustainable water management,” she said. She added that the initiative reflects Bharat Biotech’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage and giving back to society.
To further this cause, Bharat Biotech has also partnered with CII to promote environmental sustainability and support eco-heritage tourism. This collaboration highlights a shared commitment between the company, local government, and industry stakeholders to restore these historic stepwells and educate the public about their cultural importance.
Stepwells are ancient structures that were once crucial sources of water in both rural and urban areas. The Ammapalli Temple stepwell, believed to date back to the 13th century, provided water to pilgrims and local communities for centuries. Similarly, the stepwell at Salar Jung Museum, dating back to the Qutb Shahi period, holds historical significance as a community resource.
While some stepwells, like Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi, attract tourists, and Rani ki Vav near Ahmedabad has even earned UNESCO heritage status, smaller stepwells face a different fate. With modern access to water in homes, these traditional structures have lost their importance. Many have been demolished for urban development, while others have been neglected or used as dumping grounds.
UNESCO reports that India is the largest extractor of groundwater in the world, with levels dropping by 61% between 2007 and 2017. Although India receives enough rainfall each year to ensure water security, if rainwater harvesting is done effectively, restored stepwells could play a significant role. These ancient structures have the potential to capture large amounts of rainwater, especially during the monsoon season, helping to replenish the nation’s groundwater levels.
