Water scarcity is a serious issue as many natural sources of water are now depleted or on the verge of disappearance. This was the condition of a pond in village Teharki in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, which had been lying dry for the past fifty years. The pond is centrally located in the village, and dirty water from the village accumulated in it. The pond was a slushy and slippery place and, since its shape and boundary was indistinct, the filth from the pond spread onto the nearby road, making it difficult for the people to commute.
S M Sehgal Foundation, under a CSR supported partnership project, undertook the initiative of revitalizing this pond. As the first step, the project team together with the sarpanch and the community surveyed and assessed the ground situation of the pond, and then began the process of rejuvenation by cleaning the pond. Distinct boundaries were erected all around the pond, a wall was built between the road and the pond, and a filtration pit was constructed. Now the pond is 174 feet long, 170 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. It looks beautiful, and the enthused community is keeping the pond site clean. The pond is recharging the underground water levels.
Authors: Amit Dubey and Ellora Mubashir
(Amit is project associate and Ellora is communications specialist, Partnerships, S M Sehgal Foundation)
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