World Monuments Fund (MWF) has revealed the 25 sites selected for the 2025 World Monuments Watch. Two Indian heritage sites find themselves on this list – Bhuj historic water supply and Musi River historic buildings corridor.
The WMF unveiled the 25 heritage sites selected for the 2025 World Monuments Watch on January 15. The World Monuments Watch is a biennial programme that mobilises action, builds public awareness, and demonstrates how heritage can assist communities in addressing pressing global challenges.
Founded in 1965 by Colonel James A. Gray, the WMF was originally known as the International Fund for Monuments. It was inspired by the challenges faced by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Over the decades, the WMF has played a pivotal role in preserving the world’s diverse cultural heritage, having worked on over 700 sites across 112 countries.
In 2015, the organisation established an office in India, focusing on a broad spectrum of projects, from conserving Himalayan temples to rehabilitating traditional water infrastructure.
In recent years, the WMF has launched the Climate Heritage Initiative, dedicating more resources to preserving global heritage against climate change. This initiative underscores the significant impact of climate change on global heritage and the necessity of integrating conservation efforts with climate action.
The 2025 World Monuments Watch highlights the critical need for preserving the Bhuj historic water systems and the Musi River historic buildings corridor. These sites are emblematic of sustainable practices and historical resilience. They offer unique opportunities for addressing contemporary challenges through heritage conservation.
Bhuj historic water systems
In the historic city of Bhuj, located in Gujrat, the ingenious rainwater collection systems that were once the city’s lifeline, have been overshadowed by modern infrastructure. As India’s water crisis intensifies, these traditional systems offer a sustainable solution for resource security.
At the heart of Bhuj lies Hamirsar Lake, an artificial reservoir built in the sixteenth century during the reign of Rao Khengarji. This lake symbolises the city’s enduring relationship with water and the overflowing of the lake is celebrated with local festivities. Over three centuries, a network of stepwells, tanks, and canals was developed around the lake, ingeniously designed to collect rainwater and recharge groundwater, supporting the city’s growth in a harsh climate.
However, urban planning and modernisation have gradually centralised Bhuj’s water management, diminishing the use of these traditional systems. This shift has strained the city’s water resources, particularly during droughts, exacerbated by erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change. Currently, much of Bhuj’s water supply is imported or extracted from deep wells, with residents heavily relying on bottled water.
The inclusion of Bhuj in the 2025 World Monuments Watch aims to raise awareness and support the rehabilitation of these systems, thus reinforcing the city’s resilience and cultural heritage.
Musi River historic buildings corridor
Hyderabad’s Musi River corridor in Telangana is rich with historical landmarks that are facing severe challenges from pollution and urbanisation. The corridor is home to significant buildings such as the High Court, State Central Library, Osmania General Hospital, City College, and the former British Residency, reflecting the city’s evolution from a medieval centre to a modern metropolis.
Despite its historical significance, the Musi River has experienced severe pollution due to rapid growth and industrial expansion, making it one of India’s most polluted waterways. This environmental degradation has reignited discussions on the river’s role in Hyderabad’s urban life and the potential of heritage preservation in its revitalisation efforts.
A prime example of this tension is the Osmania General Hospital, completed in 1925. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture and historical importance have made it a focal point in debates over heritage preservation versus modernisation. It has long served as a cornerstone of public health as one of India’s oldest and largest hospitals. However, decades of neglect and flooding led to calls for its demolition even though the hospital serves as a vital public health institution.
Preserving the historic buildings along the Musi River can offer invaluable benefits to Hyderabad and foster a sense of continuity and community. The inclusion of the Musi River Historic Buildings Corridor in the 2025 World Monuments Watch underscores the WMF’s commitment to promoting heritage as a pathway for environmental conservation, climate adaptation, and inclusive urban renewal.