Traditionally associated with disaster response and civil support, the Home Guards in Himachal Pradesh have embraced a broader role by reviving as many as 1,836 bauris across the state, emerging as custodians of water sources, forests and community heritage.
At present, Home Guard volunteers across the state are leading systematic efforts to restore neglected bauris, ponds and check dams. Working closely with panchayats, forest departments and local residents, they have organised clean-up drives, removed silt and plastic waste, restored catchment areas, reopened natural runoff channels, and undertaken plantation drives to stabilise slopes and recharge springs.
The initiative has also witnessed active participation from women and Mahila Mandals, who have helped identify forgotten bauris, mobilise community involvement and ensure long-term maintenance.
Speaking about the initiative, Satwant Attwal Trivedi said, “In Himachal, water has always been regarded as a sacred life force. Springs were believed to be gifts of the gods, flowing through rocks and forests to sustain human settlements. Most bauris were therefore built in the presence of a local deity. A small shrine often marked the source, while peepal, ban or deodar trees stood guard beside it. Polluting a bauri was not considered merely unhygienic — it was seen as a spiritual transgression believed to invite divine displeasure.”
She added, “Long before formal governance or sanitation laws, bauris were governed by custom and conscience. The first water of the day was often drawn for worship. Today, however, climate change has forced a reckoning. Summers are becoming longer and drier, springs are failing, pipelines break down, and forest fires are growing more frequent and intense. In this uncertainty, bauris are being rediscovered not as relics of the past, but as anchors of resilience. They offer decentralised water security, require no energy, support livestock and biodiversity, and serve as emergency reservoirs during disasters.”
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Trivedi said, “The benefits are tangible. Revived water bodies now support households, livestock and small farms. They also serve as critical water points for forest-fire response, reducing dependence on distant sources. Perhaps the greatest outcome is less visible — a renewed sense of ownership, pride and collective responsibility. By empowering communities, involving women and reconnecting people with their natural heritage, the initiative is helping build a more resilient Himachal.”
Bauris, also known as baudis, baoris or baolis, are traditional stepwells designed to harvest spring seepage and rainwater. Found across Himachal’s hills, they reflect a deep understanding of terrain, geology and seasonal cycles. Their architecture is simple yet effective — a deep, stone-lined pit accessed by descending steps. The stones, often laid without cement, allow natural filtration and continuous percolation, ensuring that water remains clean and cool. The steps follow the changing water level, guaranteeing access even during the harshest months.
