Water Bodies Restoration Program
Restoration and Rejuvenation of Water Bodies
Water scarcity is an abstract concept to many and a stark reality for others. It is the result of myriad environmental, political, economic, and social forces. While nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh water. Only 0.007 percent of the planet’s water is available to feed its 6.8 billion people. In the developing countries, clean water is either hard to come by or a commodity that requires laborious work or significant currency to obtain.
Tanks and water bodies form important surface water storage. The existing ponds and tanks available in the Urban Local Bodies have been silted over the years and thereby make the water bodies less functional for recharge. Under this restoration project, the water bodies will be de-silted, inlet and outlet will be cleaned from obstruction and the bunds will be strengthened. A recharge well or shaft within water bodies may be taken up wherever necessary depending upon the geological nature of terrain.
Apart from available rainwater and reuse of treated wastewater, waterbodies (lakes, ponds) especially in urban areas have enormous value in terms of resource provision (for drinking or irrigation), regulating services (climate mediation, flood, and drought management) and cultural service (religious, historic value). However, these lakes and ponds are extremely sensitive to environmental stress caused by anthropogenic activities in the basin or catchment, which reduces the natural capacity of the waterbody to restore itself and results in its deterioration.
To conserve and maintain the hydrological cycle of India and restore depleting water table and oureco-system.
To create a better world forf uture.
To be a knowledge & execution partner of NGOs, Corporates and Government agencies to address global environmental issues.
Background & Overview
It is for the State Governments concerned to undertake enumeration, protection, and management of water bodies in their respective States. However, this Ministry undertakes census of minor irrigation schemes from time to time, which also captures information pertaining to certain specific water bodies in the country. As per the latest census, being 5th census of minor irrigation schemes with reference year 2013-14, there are 5,16,303 water bodies in the rural areas of the country, which are being used for minor irrigation. Out of these, 53,396 water bodies are not in use for various reasons such as non-availability of water, siltation, salinity, etc.
Works related to water resources development & management are planned, funded, executed, and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. Role of Government of India is limited to providing technical support, and partial financial support in some cases, as per the norms of the existing schemes being implemented by Government of India.
Central assistance for restoration of water bodies is provided by this Ministry under the scheme “Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies”, which is a component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Har Khet Ko Pani (PMKSY- HKKP). The scheme aims at restoring the lost irrigation potential by improvement and restoration of existing water bodies.
Under the RRR of Water Bodies scheme, XII Plan onwards a total of 2,228 water bodies with an estimated cost of Rs.1,914.86 crore, have been taken up for restoration in various States. Upto March 2021, central assistance of Rs.469.69 crore has been released to the States under the scheme, and in this period RRR of 1,549 water bodies has been completed.
Case 1 : Barsana
Barsana is a historical town and nagar panchayat in the Mathura district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The town holds cultural and religious significance as it is the birthplace and home of the Hindu Goddess Radha, the chief consort of Krishna. Barsana is situated in the Braj region. The main attraction of the town is the historical Radha Rani Temple which attracts huge number of devotees throughout the year.
800 out of the 1000 odd water bodies of Braj were silted up and had become sludge tanks. They were to be de-silted so that fresh water could be re-filled in them. De-silting of decadent water bodies was a task of top priority and great fundamental importance. Hiring earthmovers was a costly and time-consuming affair. When approached for support, Mr. Morarka readily bought 3 earthmovers costing over Rs 75 lakhs to be used exclusively for de-silting the water bodies of Braj region. He also sanctioned the financial support to bear the operational cost of these earthmovers. Such a blanket support enabled The Braj Foundation to excavate over 35 water bodies spread all over the Braj region in a short span of 3 years. This expediency generated a tremendous public awareness and trust which nevertheless is the most important constituent for any project of such a grand nature to succeed. As a result of which, the water retention capacity has been augmented dramatically for most of the water bodies due to systematic and planned desilting.
An additional water retention capacity of over 3 lakh cubic meters has been created so far, whose valuation as per market rate is over Rs 2.25 crores. Old dried-up water bodies like Anjani Kund, Dohini Kund, Garud Govind Kund, to name a few have been revived with influx of fresh water. The historic renewal of these kunds is rekindling faith among the locals and the environs are vibrating with fresh sound, smell, and life. Most of the water bodies excavated by the foundation were devoid of water for decades. The augmentation of the water retention capacity coupled by dedicated efforts to bring in water from the nearby sources like canals etc. have resulted in thriving water bodies. Water is now readily available to villagers and in many cases kuchcha kunds have also been created for animals. Locals claim that there had been no water in these kunds for more than three decades and today they are overflowing with water.
Case 2: Kosi Kalan
Kosi Kalan is a city & municipality of Mathura district in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is about 45km from Mathura city and 100km from New Delhi located in 27°47′N 77°26′E NH02 (Now NH 19 after renumbering) Delhi-Agra highway well connected with Mathura, Agra and Delhi with train and road. Khurd and Kalan Persian language word which means small and big respectively when two villages have same name then it is distinguished as Kalan means big and Khurd means small.
As per the latest census, being 5th census of minor irrigation schemes with reference year 2013-14, there are 5,16,303 water bodies in the rural areas of the country, which are being used for minor irrigation. Out of these, 53,396 water bodies are not in use for various reasons such as non-availability of water, siltation, salinity, etc.Under the RRR of Water Bodies scheme, XII Plan onwards a total of 2,228 water bodies with an estimated cost of Rs.1,914.86 crore, have been taken up for restoration in various States. Upto March 2021, central assistance of Rs.469.69 crore has been released to the States under the scheme, and in this period RRR of 1,549 water bodies has been completed.
Removal of non-biodegradable and inorganic waste (Ex: Plastic, Rubber, Cloth, Thermocol, E-waste etc.); Organic & In Organic waste is segregated, processed as manure and recycled as appropriate. Dustbin installations in local community and along-side path to curb waste disposal into the waterbody.
- Briefing to Volunteers
- Cleaning Buns, Shores, Ground Area
- Cleaning Buns, Shores, Ground Area
Cleaning, Earth excavation, Desilting from Pond/lake; Dam/Ramp for Bundh formation
- Removal of non-biodegradable and inorganic waste (Plastic, Rubber, Cloth etc.)
- Excavation and Desilting from waterbody to improve water flow.
- Bundh formation for strengthening and steady streamflow.
- Sludge & Silt removal to improve water flow and reduce odour using manual and/or mechanized process.
- Pond /Lake Clean up
- Nature Walk with Discussion on wetlands, environment and water conservation
- Water Hyacinth Removal
- Awareness program with locals
- Plantation drive around the ponds, lakes and our plantation sites
- Tree maintenance and care activity
- Seedball making
- Waste-To-Art workshops and drives
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