Why is it in the News?

The Eri (tank) network in the Kazhuveli watershed region in the Villupuram district which comprises an incredible network of tanks created thousands of years ago is to be proposed for nomination to the World Monuments Fund Watch 2025 program.

About the World Monuments Fund (WMF)?

• The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a non-profit organization headquartered in New York, committed to safeguarding and conserving endangered ancient and historic sites worldwide.
• Collaborating with local partners globally, the WMF offers financial and technical assistance to support preservation efforts.
• With a track record of raising over $300 million and securing an additional $400 million from other entities, the WMF has successfully preserved over 700 sites and championed the protection of more than 800 cherished landmarks since its establishment.

World Monuments Watch:

• The World Monuments Watch, initiated in 1996, is a program centered on nominations, fostering a link between local heritage conservation and international engagement.
• Through this initiative, the WMF has allocated over $110 million towards projects at over 300 Watch sites, enabling communities to utilize the platform's visibility to secure an additional $300 million from various funding sources.

World Monuments Fund in India:

In India, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has focused on conserving significant cultural and ecological sites, including:

• The Kazhuveli Watershed Region: Renowned for its ancient 'Eri' network, an intricate system of tanks dating back thousands of years.
  • Situated in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, spanning from Gingee to Marakkanam and extending to the Auroville plateau.
  • Proposed pilot projects in Munnur village aim to develop a heritage toolkit applicable across the watershed and beyond if the nomination is successful.
• Suranga Bawadi: An ancient water management system located on the Deccan Plateau in Karnataka.
  • Included in the World Monument Watch list for 2020, highlighting its significance for preservation efforts.