京都大学大学院アジア・アフリカ地域研究研究科 COSER Center for On-Site Education and Research 附属次世代型アジア・アフリカ教育研究センター
京都大学大学院アジア・アフリカ地域研究研究科
フィールドワーク・レポート

Mapping Sacred Water bodies: The Study of Urban Water Reservoir System in India

Mātr̥ kuṇḍa, Varanasi city (August 2018)

Research background

  Urbanization alters soil patterns, the flow of rainwater, and drainage systems, as well as the natural slope and gradient of the land. Rapid and unplanned urbanization disturbs catchment areas and their natural drainage features, which causes heavy run-off. Urban water bodies and wetlands are therefore not only significant sites for biodiversity, but they also act as sponges by soaking up excess water and recharging the ground water. With this background, the present study seeks to understand the discourse on urban ecology of the city in the context of urban water bodies and the impact of urban development.

Research purpose

  Urban water bodies are not only surface water bodies but are also part of a complex network of urban ecology. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of urban growth of the city of Varanasi and map the existing water bodies and examine their restoration and improvement activities. Additionally, it is also important to explore the heritage restoration process of these ancient water bodies in urban ecology planning.

Cakra tālāba, Varanasi city (August 2018)

Results/Achievements

  The research study in Varanasi was divided into two broad segments. In both parts I have referred primarily to the map of 1822 (prepared by James Prinsep) documenting the city’s temple tanks and ponds.
  In the first segment, I revisited the existing temple tanks and ponds of Varanasi, documented their current status and discussed the ongoing restoration activities at a few temple tanks. In this study, I observed the significant revival and improvement of one ancient temple tank called Mātr̥ kuṇḍa, which was completely extinct and forgotten by many residents. Current restoration and revival programs are making considerable transformations in these temple tanks and ponds as well as in the boundaries, temple complex infrastructures, and access infrastructures of a few of the temple tanks. In the second segment of my study, I also started mapping the unnamed water bodies, which were either completely lost or encroached upon. The mapping of unnamed water bodies is a complicated exercise and requires advanced GIS mapping and comparison with the few satellite images we have of them. The mapping of unnamed water bodies also revealed the locations of a few unmapped water bodies known as Bhavanīya pōkharā.
  Additionally, in this research project, I studied the ongoing restoration program and prospective revival plan of a few more temple tanks and ponds. Discussions with the staff members of the municipal office and members of INTACH as well as with citizens residing near these temple tanks and ponds also highlighted the inclusive understanding and expectations of the prospective revival program.

Plans for further research

  Research on the temple tanks and ponds of Varanasi needs regular fieldwork visits to document the transformation that is continuing within and around these water bodies. The topography and surroundings of the water bodies is changing considerably, so it is necessary to map these changes and study the impact of restoration activities. I plan to revisit these water bodies again next year and document their transformation and study the impact of heritage conservation on these heritage and water harvesting structures. I also plan to study the reclaiming of encroached upon and extinct temple tanks, particularly their restoration and reformation process. The study of these water bodies, which are known as sponges, is also another significant facet to explore in future research.

References

【1】Kelly, Eric Damian. 2010. Community Planning: An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan. Washington, DC: Island Press.
【2】The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Varanasi chapter)

  • レポート:Mahesh Madhav Gogate(Year of enrollment: AY2016 )
  • 派遣先国:India
  • 渡航期間:August 1st, 2018 to September 11th, 2018
  • キーワード:Water Bodies, Heritage Conservation, Urbanization

関連するフィールドワーク・レポート

日本の喫茶店とタイ北部山地のコーヒー農家の繋がりと関係性

研究全体の概要  本研究は北タイ産コーヒーに焦点をあて、その生産地であるタイ北部山地と日本で同コーヒーを取り扱う人々がどのように繋がり、関係を持ったのかインタビューを通して明らかにすることを試みた。本研究が対象とする北タイ産コーヒーは歴史が…

在タイ日本人コミュニティの分節とホスト社会との交渉/チェンマイ、シラチャ、バンコクを事例に

対象とする問題の概要  2017年現在、在タイ日本人の数は7万人を超え、これは米国、中国、豪州に次ぐ規模である 。タイでは、1980年代後半から日系企業の進出が相次ぎ、日本人駐在員が増加している。加えて1990年代以降は日本経済の低迷や生活…

近代教育と牧畜運営のはざまで――ケニア、コイラレ地区における就学の動機――

対象とする問題の概要  1963年に英国からの独立を果たしたケニアでは、国家開発のためのさまざまな教育開発事業が取り進められてきた。例えば、2003年に初等教育無償化政策が導入され、それによって子どもの就学率が急速に増加した。また近年では、…

カメルーンのンキ国立公園におけるカメラトラップを用いた 食肉目の占有推定

対象とする問題の概要  食物網の高次消費者である食肉目は、草食動物の個体数調整などの生態学的機能を通じて、生物多様性の高い森林構成維持に関わる生態系内の重要な存在であるが、近年世界各地で食肉目の個体数減少が報告されており、その原因究明と保全…

クルアーン学校におけるアラビア文字教育/文字としてのクルアーンを音声と結びつける装置としてのスペリング練習の重要性について

対象とする問題の概要  本研究の対象は、クルアーン学校と呼ばれる組織である。クルアーン学校とは、ムスリムの子弟がクルアーンの読み方を学ぶために通う私塾のことである。西アフリカ各地には、このクルアーン学校が多数存在する。これまでクルアーン学校…

ケニアにおける自動車整備士の労働観に関する研究――kazi nzurikujikazaに注目して――

対象とする問題の概要  恒久的な作業場を持たない木材・金属加工職人や自動車修理工などの「屋外で額に汗して働く職人たち」は、ケニアではジュア・カリ(スワヒリ語で「刺すような陽射し」)と称されている [上田 1998: 19-20]。ジュア・カ…