As part of Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week (NNGWWW) 2026, The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) organized a creative walk event titled “Tracing Water: Hiti-Pukhu Sketch and Stroll” in Patan area on 21 March 2026. The half-day event provided participants with a guided exploration of Patan’s traditional water systems, including historic stone spouts (hiti) and ponds (pukhu), emphasizing the history, design, and continuing relevance of these structures in urban water management and cultural preservation. The event was attended by 20 participants.
The walk was led by Mr. Anil Chitrakar, a renowned conservationist and cultural heritage expert, covered major hitis and pukhus in and around Patan including; Pimbahal pukhu, Chhabahal hiti, Pulchowk hiti, Mangalbazar hiti, Na:tole hiti and other few nearby hitis. Participants engaged in observation, discussion, and sketching, creating a space for creative reflection while learning about sustainable water use and the importance of protecting Nepal’s living water heritage in the face of rapid urbanization and environmental change.
“Before this program I did not know much about where the water in these historic taps comes from. I used to walk past them without noticing. Now I feel responsible for protecting and preserving them. As a participant, this wasn’t just theoretical; we observed the structure, flow, and challenges, which deepened my understanding. Programs like this should happen more often, as awareness is still low and such initiatives can bring change”, as said by Suvan Singh, one of our participants.
The event highlighted the value of combining art, heritage, and environmental awareness as an innovative approach to engage communities and raise public consciousness about water conservation. Through this initiative, participants were encouraged to explore the intersections of culture, creativity, and sustainability, strengthening appreciation for Nepal’s traditional water infrastructure and its role in modern urban planning.
