Over the years, several structures were built to meet the water needs in the historical city of Delhi. But as modern technology came in people became dependent on piped water and in the bargain forgot the use of the old water harvesting techniques.

Hauz-i-Shamsi was built by Iltutmish in 1230 AD to meet the water requirements of people residing in Mehrauli. Seven centuries later the structure still exists. It has withstood vagaries of the weather, but it no longer serves the purpose for which it was built. Today. the Hauz -- an arrificially created water body - lies in a state of disuse Its water, once considered sacred, is polluted today ... As many as 25 historical water bodies in various parts of the Capital can be revived to supplement the water requirement. A large number of them have however, gone dry. And in the few, which are still wet, the quality of water is very poor.

A large lake of 1,20,000 square meter area in front of the Tughlaqabad Fort is completely dry. The lake took care of the water requirements of the entire fort built by Ghiyathu'd Din Tughiuq (1321-25). Besides the lake, there are seven baolies (stepwells) inside the Fort. All these, which could have served as store houses for substantial amount of water are dry today ... They can be made functional after desilting, cleaning, repairing and deepening. "The need is not just to preserve these structures as mere architectural heritage, but also natural heritage" ... (Source: The Hindustan Times, 16 May, 2000)