NGO to help Huda revive water bodies

Aimed at reviving Gurgaon’s water bodies, an NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), will submit a report in seven days to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) on how to revive three lakes.

Aimed at reviving Gurgaon’s water bodies, an NGO, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), will submit a report in seven days to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) on how to revive three lakes.

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“It is basically a master plan project for the city and our focus will be on immediate reviving of three water bodies with two at Tighra village and one at Ghata village,” said Nitya Jacob, programme director of water, CSE.

The CSE has identified nearly a dozen ponds for the master plan study after a recent survey conducted with the assistance from Huda officials. “If Huda approves the design, we will extend the study for other water bodies,” said Jacob, adding, the revival of water bodies would help the city. “We can comment about the project only after CSE submits its report,” said AK Maken, superintending engineer (SE-II), Huda.

According to CSE, the three water bodies will be connected through drains with high-rise apartments located around so that the rainwater of these buildings can be accumulated in the ponds. “Recycled sewage water can also be accumulated in these ponds and tree plantation will be a major part of the project,” said Jacob.

It is worth noticing that Ghata lake was once a huge low-lying area at the foot of Arvalli Hills, but construction and encroachment over the years ruined the lake as well as all the 150 (approximately) water bodies of the city.

The CSE members and Huda officials have held three rounds of meetings in the past six months and Huda gave permission to CSE for preparing the design only after a thorough discussion.