Reviving a Wetland

  • Abhishek Behl / FG
  • India
  • Feb 20, 2015


Photo: Prakhar Pandey

Where there is a will there is a way, and tasks that look impossible can be performed if the community leaders and residents unite to achieve them. In a water-starved city like Gurgaon, which is facing the threat of an emptying ground water table, it is almost a miracle that the Sukhrali Pond, which had turned dry and had become a garbage dump, has been revived. This has not only helped in increasing the water table in the area, but many dried tubewells have also ‘come to life’. Anoop Singh Bhamu, MCG Councillor of the area, who has been instrumental in transforming the Sukhrali Pond from a garbage dump back into a water body with around 10-feet water now, says that everyone in the community has contributed to make this happen. “The Pond bed was first cleaned. We made people aware of the project, and requested the residents to stop treating the Pond as a garbage and sewerage dump,” says Bhamu. The sewage lines of a number of PG guesthouses, which flowed into the Pond, were disconnected with the help of the authorities. Bhamu says that water that was getting wasted from the pipelines and was overflowing on the roads, was diverted into the Pond. Now the plan is to build a park around the periphery of the Pond, and if possible even introduce boating in this 4-acre Pond. Bhamu says that people have responded enthusiastically and are ready to contribute to the development of the park. He is however worried about the fate of another pond in Sukhrali Village, which falls in the disputed 900 meter area around the IAF Depot. That pond has attracted encroachers. “No one is paying any heed to that pond, and several others, across the many villages of  Gurgaon. All of them can be revived,” he says. He suggests that the government should create an artificial rainwater harvesting structure parallel to the bund in ‘Old’ Gurgaon, which could absorb the rainwater that gets collected in different sectors of the City. Smaller artificial ponds could also be constructed, so that water can be saved from getting wasted. As per Nature International, a Gurgaon-based NGO, there are around 75 water bodies that have been identified in and around the City; of these, 35 are within the City. Local residents recall that there were large water bodies at Kamala Nehru Park and Dronacharya College in ‘Old’ Gurgaon, as well as in every urbanised village. All have become extinct. Bhamu says that wherever ponds have been encroached on in villages, some land should now be diverted for the creation of artificial ponds. Ranjit, a resident of Village Chauma, recalls that a huge pond existed at the periphery of the Village, and the water was even suitable for drinking. Many residents however says that with the natural slopes and drains having been choked due to the urbanisation of the City, there is little possibility of these ponds getting revived. Jahajgarh Village, on the outskirts of ‘Old’ Gurgaon, is witnessing large-scale construction, and the residents fear that soon there will be no water in the johad for the village cattle – the buildings and roads will block the flow of water from all sides. The only hope for revival of these ponds is to pump water through supply pipelines, and then hope that there is enough rain in the City to keep the ponds filled.

Another positive fallout of the revival of the Sukhrali Pond has been that the area will witness the start of the Raahgiri movement from the middle of March, says Bhamu. “We wanted to start Raahgiri in this area because ‘Old’ Gurgaon has fallen behind in infrastructure, facilities and even socially. Movements like Raahgiri can help people to bond better, and let children enjoy freely on the roads and streets,” he says, adding that people from colonies like Sanjay Gram, Rajiv Nagar, Sheetla Colony, Sectors 14 & 17 and Old DLF will be involved in the exercise. The RWAs of these areas are playing an active part in the organisation of the coming Raahgiri Day. Bhamu  says that lack of any development funds with the Councillors is a major handicap in the organisation of such activities, and the government should allocate funds for Councillors on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai. “Development in these areas would also become easy if there is co-ordination between HUDA and MCG, but this is not happening. As a result, projects get delayed,” he complains. His goal is now to protect and expand the Sukhrali Pond, and he believes that this project could be a model for other wards and parts of Gurgaon that are witnessing a steep decline in their water tables. “When you have the will you will find a way. However, you need discipline and commitment from the local community,” says this can-do, will-do community leader.

Read More...


  • print
  • comnt
  • share

News from Communities

lowadd
  • Friday Gurgaon Seminar

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2014/8/2014_8$thumbimg129_Aug_2014_160822730.jpgOrange Fish
  • Gurgaon Speaks Up-Rest in Peace ''Damini''-Saturday Dec 29 @ Leisure Valley

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2013/1/2013_1$thumbimg104_Jan_2013_143656130.jpgOrange Fish
  • Genesis Foundation Fund Raiser

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/8/2012_8$thumbimg114_Aug_2012_091411630.jpgOrange Fish
  • Coca Cola Cricket trophy played in Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg117_Mar_2012_180857977.jpgOrange Fish
  • Union Budget 2012

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg116_Mar_2012_123404760.jpgOrange Fish
  • Union Budget 2012

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg116_Mar_2012_122004320.jpgOrange Fish
  • Renge Art Walk

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg102_Mar_2012_095312690.jpgOrange Fish
  • Friday Gurgaon Cricket team

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/2/2012_2$thumbimg119_Feb_2012_195202840.jpgOrange Fish
  • Genesis Fundraiser Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/1/2012_1$thumbimg129_Jan_2012_072409630.jpgOrange Fish
  • Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/1/2012_1$thumbimg102_Jan_2012_165747220.jpgOrange Fish

Latest Issue

Poll

Do you think government should reconsider its policy of promoting liquor vends in Gurgaon?



votebox View Results