Goa, July 4 -- A nearly 300-year-old stepwell in Karnataka's Belagavi district has been restored after remaining buried beneath garbage, rubble and vegetation for decades. The revival of the forgotten structure has not only uncovered an architectural treasure but has also highlighted the importance of preserving India's traditional water systems.

Located in Kanchveer Nagar of Mutga village near Belagavi, the historic stepwell had been hidden for almost 30 years under layers of sewage, plastic waste, silt and dense vegetation. A large-scale clean-up operation led to the removal of accumulated debris, allowing the original structure to emerge once again.

The restoration was carried out by the Belagavi-based Pyaas Foundation with support f...