Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 2: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) marked a significant academic milestone with the release of “Baoli di Jal-Sanskriti,” a scholarly work authored by Vinod Kumar.
The book documents traditional water systems and indigenous knowledge of the Shivalik Hills. It is an outcome of a research project funded by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India, under the IKS Institutional Internship Program–2025.
The book was formally released by Vice Chancellor Prof Pragati Kumar in the presence of Dr Amitabh Dwivedi, Dean, Faculty of Humanities; Abhiney Gupta, Head, School of Architecture & Landscape Design (SoALD); and Navin Gupta, Deputy Head, SoALD.
The occasion was also graced by Anil Paba, a noted archaeologist, state awardee, and heritage conservation expert, who served as the local expert for the research project. Based on the research project titled “Vanishing Architecture and Spatial Planning Wisdom for Traditional Sustainable Water Management in Trikuta Hills, Jammu and Kashmir: A Study of its Contemporary Relevance,” the book presents baolis as integrated hydro-cultural systems that interlink architecture, ecology, and community life, while critically examining their decline and contemporary relevance.
In his foreword, Padma Shri Dr Shiv Dutt Nirmohi describes the book as an important contribution to understanding Duggar’s water culture. He emphasizes that baolis are not merely utilitarian structures but repositories of cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and architectural heritage. He also highlights their historical evolution and significance in sustaining communities in hilly terrains.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Pragati Kumar appreciated the initiative and stressed the importance of integrating traditional knowledge systems into modern planning frameworks to address emerging environmental challenges. He highlighted the work as a strong example of a multidisciplinary research approach, noting that it effectively bridges architecture, cultural studies, and environmental perspectives.
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