Faculty Advisor
Higgins, Lorraine D.
Faculty Advisor
Shockey, Ingrid K.
Center
INDIA / India Projects Program
Abstract
This project assessed the challenges facing traditional Himalayan watermills known as gharats. We conducted site assessments at 21 gharats and interviewed both mill owners and local grain farmers to explore the social, technical, economic, and environmental reasons for mill abandonment. Additionally, we examined the factors causing diminishing demand for gharats’ services. We developed recommendations for watermill owners, and initiated a pilot renovation on an abandoned mill to test innovations that can maintain the gharat’s tradition.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
May 2015
Project Type
Interactive Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
All authors have granted to WPI a nonexclusive royalty-free license to distribute copies of the work, subject to other agreements. Copyright is held by the author or authors, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Humanities and Arts
Advisor Department
Interdisciplinary Programs