Starting checks
Water-flow surveys, sludge profiling, and local consultations with villagers.
Bhandwari Water Body – Restoration & Revitalization
A full-spectrum ecological restoration programme stabilised Delhi NCR's Bhandwari lake and made it a public commons again.
The Problem
A degraded foothills water body suffering from toxic sludge and erosion.
The Bhandwari water body, situated at the Aravalli foothills in Delhi NCR, was once a crucial freshwater sink and local ecological commons. Over years of neglect, it suffered from severe desiltation, eroded embankments, and extensive garbage dumping. The incoming sewage and waste accumulation led to major ecological decline, toxic sludge, and a drying water bed, impacting ground aquifers and regional birds.
- Eroded banks and high silt load reducing storage capacity.
- Unchecked waste dumping causing toxic, deoxygenated water.
- Depleted groundwater table in the surrounding farming settlements.
What We Are Doing
Full-spectrum engineering and biological restoration.
Hara Jeevan implemented a systematic ecological revival plan. We started with inlet sludge surveys and water profiling. We physically desilted the lake bed, repaired the soil embankments, and designed a robust overflow spillway. To treat incoming water naturally, we constructed reed beds, planted riparian vegetation, and installed active aeration points.
Engineering works
Mechanical desilting, embankment repairs, spillway redesign, and inlet filters.
Ecological revival
Native trees, grasses, and aquatic plants planted to prevent erosion and boost biodiversity.
Governance
Lake caretakers, water testing schedules, and school adoption programmes institutionalised.
Transparent stewardship equals longevity.
Village elders, RWAs, and nearby schools meet quarterly to review water data, organise cleanliness drives, and align corporate CSR support.
- Lake bylaws and local signboards prevent future trash dumping.
- WhatsApp alert groups mobilize resident response during monsoon events.
- Citizen science labs train local children to monitor pH, DO, and turbidity.
Current Status & Impact
Restoring ecological balance and community pride.
Today, the Bhandwari water body is a thriving freshwater sink and a scenic sanctuary for birds. Riparian planting has successfully bound the banks and keeps local temperatures cooler, recharging the regional water table daily.
- Riparian trees and grasses prevent soil run-offs during monsoons.
- Aravalli wildlife and birds utilize the clean water habitat.
- A popular outdoor path for daily walks and community observation.
50M Litres
storage capacity restored after desilting.
6°C Drop
in surface temperature due to riparian canopy.
1.2 km
perimeter trail activated for monitoring.
180+
bird and pollinator species logged post-revival.
Gallery
