Home / Environment / Delhi's 1,100-Year-Old Dam Faces Neglect
Delhi's 1,100-Year-Old Dam Faces Neglect
29 Mar
Summary
- Anangpur Dam, an 1,100-year-old hydraulic monument, is endangered.
- The Tomar rulers built the dam in the 10th century to control water.
- Encroachment and neglect threaten this vital heritage structure.
Anangpur Dam, a 1,100-year-old hydraulic monument, stands as a relic of Delhi's early medieval past, constructed by the Tomar rulers in the 10th century. This remarkable structure, built from stone masonry and earth, was designed to control water flow amidst the Aravalli hills, supporting early settlements.
This ancient site, crucial for water management and linked to the Surajkund reservoir, is now under severe threat. Reports indicate widespread encroachment, illegal construction, and ecological damage are pressing against the dam and its surrounding landscape.
Damage to historical plaques and evidence of bulldozer activity highlight the ongoing neglect. Despite its historical significance and potential as a model for traditional water systems, Anangpur Dam is vulnerable to economic pressures and a lack of conservation efforts.
Delhi's earliest civilisational memory is embedded in such forgotten hydraulic works. The loss of sites like Anangpur Dam risks not only heritage but also invaluable knowledge systems essential for survival in water-stressed regions.
