An ancient stepwell in the Kanchveernagar area of Mutga, about 8 kms from Belagavi on th the Sambra route, hidden for decades under thick vegetation, mud and debris, is slowly returning to life through a community-led restoration initiative that is now drawing widespread public attention.
Located opposite Shri Kanchveer Temple within the Officers’ Mess premises near Airport Road, the historic stone structure is believed to be nearly 200 years old. What began as a public appeal under the Belagavi Stepwells Campaign has now transformed into a full-fledged rejuvenation effort led by Pyaas Foundation with support from volunteers, heritage enthusiasts and local residents.
The Belagavi Stepwells Campaign was launched by INTACH Belagavi Chapter in collaboration with Maharashtra Barav Moheem (Maharashtra Step-wells Campaign), appealing to citizens to report forgotten or neglected stepwells across the district. All About Belgaum amplified the campaign to ensure wider public participation.
Following the appeal, a reader informed the team about a neglected stepwell at Mutga. When INTACH members visited the location, they discovered a remarkable elongated stone-built well buried under layers of soil, overgrowth and accumulated waste.
The structure immediately stood out because of its unusual architecture. The stepwell features a rectangular section on one side and a circular section on the other, both interconnected through a stone archway. Heritage experts believe the design reflects the sophisticated planning and engineering associated with traditional water conservation systems in the region.
Adding to its historical significance, local elders say the well was originally designed in a manner that allowed horses to drink water easily. Oral histories in the area also suggest that freedom fighters and revolutionaries visiting the region during the British era frequently used this water source.
Recognising both its heritage and water conservation value, Pyaas Foundation has now officially taken up the rejuvenation of the stepwell. Restoration work has already commenced in phases with support from local volunteers and machinery including JCBs and tractors.
In the first phase of the effort, volunteers from KLE NSS Unit 9 joined members of Pyaas Foundation and residents in a major Shramadana drive. Large quantities of silt, stones, vegetation and debris were manually removed from the structure, revealing portions of the original stonework and access steps.
The broader objective of the restoration project is not merely conservation of a historical structure but revival of a sustainable water source for residents of Mutga, Kanchveer Nagar and nearby localities.
With water scarcity becoming an increasing concern in several parts of Belagavi district, conservationists believe traditional water systems such as stepwells, streams and natural channels deserve urgent attention. Many such structures, once central to village life and water supply, gradually disappeared from public memory after the introduction of modern piped water infrastructure.
The ongoing work at Mutga is therefore being viewed as both a heritage conservation initiative and an important step toward future water security.
The project also stands as a strong example of how citizen participation, public awareness and coordinated community action can help rediscover and revive forgotten pieces of Belagavi’s environmental and cultural heritage.