Volunteer camps for revival of ponds, wetlands

NOIDA: The Noida Authority on Saturday organised volunteering camps or ‘shramdaan’ and public meetings for the revival of six ponds and wetlands in the city.
While the Authority had already started work on two waterbodies in the upcoming biodiversity park, another 12-acre wetland in Sector 91 and a pond in Sector 85, it also started work on a one-acre pond in Gejha village on Saturday.
“It is one of the largest water conservation efforts in the area. We have started revival of six waterbodies, including wetlands, ponds and artificial waterbodies, covering more than 20 acres. As the groundwater level in the city is depleting, these efforts will help increase the level,” said Rajeev Tyagi, general manager of the Noida Authority.
The new initiative to revive the pond in Gejha village is expected to be a difficult task as it is surrounded by high walls with no water inlet. The pond has remained dry for years and is used to keep cowdung cakes by the villagers.
However, since the pond holds religious significance, villagers are supporting the cause to revive it. Locals said the pond is located near a temple and houses the grave of a saint, Brahm Sarovar Maharaj.
“Efforts are in place to clean the pond of debris, waste and plants. The pond will be excavated to increase its depth and maximise its water storage potential,” he said.
He added rainwater will be channelised through pipes into the pond after the cleaning is complete within a week.
“We will make holes on roadsides near the pond and place pipes leading to the pond so that rain water running off from roads can be channelised into the pond,” added the general manager.
Meanwhile, local outreach programme was also carried out on Saturday for conserving water and rejuvenation of village pond in Bakhtawarpur.
At the two wetlands in upcoming biodiversity parks of nearly five acres, the channels are being widened for maximum storage of rainwater.