Rejuvenation and conservation of waterbodies to enhance groundwater recharge and support various ecosystem services in the urban environment

In district Gautam Budh Nagar, fast urbanization and industrial growth have resulted in over-extraction of groundwater and over-concretization has left very little room for groundwater recharge. The groundwater levels are constantly declining in the district. The recently launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan program of the Govt of India advocates to focus on replenishing water sources, conserving water bodies and increasing green cover for enhancing groundwater recharge.

In line with the above, Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group is working in the Dankaur block of district Gautam Budh Nagar to rejuvenate and conserve water bodies for groundwater recharge and ensuring the flow of related ecosystem services in the environment. The proposed activities will be implemented through active people’s participation and involvement of district authorities.

Project objectives:

• Identification and demarcation of traditional water bodies in the Dankaur block of Gautam Budh Nagar district which have become redundant and ecologically non-functional and need to be rejuvenated and conserved.
• Rejuvenation of four water bodies and restoration of its water quality which will entail cleaning the pollutants such as solid waste, restoring aquatic life (flora and fauna) and if needed, initiate livelihood activities in the water bodies.
• Plantation of Trees and Shrubs on bunds to check erosion and encroachment.
• Design interventions for the larger catchment area to check in-flow of waste into the water bodies and removing obstructions in water re-charging.
• Involving local communities and building community institutions comprising of men, women, and children of the villages to support and monitor the conservation of water bodies and sustain it in the long run.
• Build awareness among other government stakeholders and local institutions and engage them in advocacy at various levels.