Stepwells at Salar Jung Museum and Ammapalli Temple to be revived by Bharat Biotech

By restoring these stepwells, Bharat Biotech aims to preserve cultural heritage, promote water conservation, and improve lives and livelihoods by boosting eco-heritage tourism in Telangana, a press release said.

Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Telangana and SAHE (The Society for Advancement of Human Endeavor) to rejuvenate and architecturally restore the historic stepwells at Ammapalli Temple and Salar Jung Museum, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

By restoring these stepwells, Bharat Biotech aims to preserve cultural heritage, promote water conservation, and improve lives and livelihoods by boosting eco-heritage tourism in Telangana, a press release said.

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“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,” Suchitra Ella, MD, Bharat Biotech said.

To further the cause, Bharat Biotech is collaborating with CII to promote environmental sustainability, preserve cultural heritage, and support Eco-Heritage Tourism. “The partnership with local government and industry stakeholders signifies a shared dedication to not only restore these stepwells of Ammapalli Temple and Salar Jung Museum but also to educate the public about their cultural significance,” she added.

Stepwells, once vital sources of water in rural and urban areas, are remarkable examples of ancient engineering and architecture. The Ammapalli Temple stepwell, believed to date back to the 13 th century, served pilgrims and local communities with water for centuries. Similarly, the stepwell at Salar Jung Museum, dating back to the Qutb Shahi period, known for its exquisite collection of art and artifacts, has historical significance as a community resource.

Today, iconic stepwells like Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi attract many tourists, and Rani ki Vav near Ahmedabad has even earned UNESCO heritage status. However, the situation is quite different for smaller, less ornate stepwells. With a consistent supply of water in homes, these traditional structures have lost their importance. Many have been demolished to make way for expanding urban areas, while others have unfortunately been repurposed as dumping grounds.