Neeraj Doshi, the founder of Heritage Water Walks, digs deep into his roots to reveal deeply embedded water conservationist practices that are as relevant to the desert state today as they were centuries back. A graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Boston&rsquos Tufts University, Jaipur-based Doshi has spent a decade and a half working in the sustainability space. He started Heritage Water Walks to showcase this lesser-known cultural phenomenon of Rajasthan. "Water is critical for survival for every living being. However, when a group of people chooses or is forced to survive in a water-desperate zone, water concern consumes their every living activity," he says. "This gives rise to a societal structure with water at its core. This precious elixir of life has also evolved into a sacred space in water-deprived societies." These walks explore the rich and varied water architecture in Rajasthan. "Different regions have developed different mechanisms and technology to conserve water," says Doshi. "Topography plays a very important role in this technological evolution. Some of these technologies or systems are paar, kuin, johad, nadi, jhalara, kuan, talaab, beri, khadin, baodi/bawadi, sagar ke &lsquokuen&rsquo, etc."
