IAS officer Nishant Yadav, who recently got transferred to Gurugram from Karnal as Deputy Commissioner, has past experience in converting filthy waterbodies and dead spaces into model ponds and public-friendly areas. During his tenure in Karnal, he had actively taken up initiatives of beautifying the district to provide a good quality of life to the people living there.
In Gurugram, too, he is taking steps towards rejuvenating 75 ponds by the next Independence Day of India, i.e., 15 August 2023. This initiative, which is starting with five ponds in Pataudi, Sohna, Wazirabad and Badshapur areas, is being taken under the Haryana state government’s ‘Amrit Sarovar Mission’. The mission was launched by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar with the main aim of rejuvenating ponds in the whole state.
Indian Masterminds spoke to Mr. Yadav to get more details about the pond rejuvenation project.
FILTHY PONDS
There are 18,000 ponds in Haryana, of which 4,000 are filled with rainwater, while 6,000 are filled with water for animal use and 8,000 ponds are filled with dirty water, which will be treated. While speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Nishant Yadav said, “The major issues which are faced in such ponds are encroachments and non-biodegradable waste. Due to the encroachments, the actual size of the ponds decreases and over the time due to the spread of non-biodegradable waste, the percolation capacity also decreases. This results in water logging in the rainy season.”
ANCIENT HERITAGE
Each of the ponds selected for the first phase has its own history and story attached with it. The first pond is located in Pataudi’s Mau village. As per the local beliefs, saint Kharpadi Dad used to meditate and pray beside the pond. The pond will be developed on 2 acres of land and sewage coming to the pond will be treated through natural ways. Walking tracks will also be developed along it.
Another pond selected under the scheme is also in Pataudi. The waterbody is in Chandla Dungarwas village and is around 80 years old. It was earlier the main source of water for the locals. As per the plan, the pond will be developed to conserve rainwater. Plantation and walking tracks will also be developed.
The third pond selected is in Gadi Wazidpur village in Sohna. It will be redeveloped over 1.80 acres of land. The fourth pond is in Badshapur’s Kaliwas village and will be developed on around one acre of land. The fifth pond is located in Wazirabad.
These ponds are symbols of ancient heritage and will be developed in such a way that rainwater is conserved, and the water requirements of the villages are fulfilled. They will also be developed as local attractions, with open-air gyms and tree plantation.
