{"title":"Step Wells of Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan, India: Implication for Hydro-geosites and Hydro-geotourism","authors":"","doi":"10.1007/s12371-024-00919-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Abstract</h3> <p>Geodiversity is defined as the variety of geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydrogeological phenomena (IUCN <span>2022</span>). 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.</p>","PeriodicalId":48924,"journal":{"name":"Geoheritage","volume":"81 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Geoheritage","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-024-00919-z","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
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.
期刊介绍：
The Geoheritage journal is an international journal dedicated to discussing all aspects of our global geoheritage, both in situ and portable. The journal will invite all contributions on the conservation of sites and materials - use, protection and practical heritage management - as well as its interpretation through education, training and tourism.
The journal wishes to cover all aspects of geoheritage and its protection. Key topics are:
- Identification, characterisation, quantification and management of geoheritage;
- Geodiversity and geosites;
- On-site science, geological and geomorphological research:
- Global scientific heritage - key scientific geosites, GSSPs, stratotype conservation
and management;
- Scientific research and education, and the promotion of the geosciences thereby;
- Conventions, statute and legal instruments, national and international;
- Integration of biodiversity and geodiversity in nature conservation and land-use
policies;
- Geological heritage and Environmental Impact Assessment studies;
- Geological heritage, sustainable development, community action, practical initiatives and tourism;
- Geoparks: creation, management and outputs;
- Conservation in the natural world, Man-made and natural impacts, climate change;
- Geotourism definitions, methodologies, and case studies;
- International mechanisms for conservation and popularisation - World Heritage Sites,
National Parks etc.;
- Materials, data and people important in the history of science, museums, collections
and all portable geoheritage;
- Education and training of geoheritage specialists;
- Pedagogical use of geological heritage - publications, teaching media, trails, centres,
on-site museums;
- Linking the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005- 2014) with geoconservation.
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