Reviving Haliyaki Pond: A Journey from Despair to Renewal






I am the Noorgarh Haliyaki Pond.
Oh, I wish I had been
The pond with a clear blue scene.
But my waters are dull and green,
For once, I wish they were clean.

The fish I fed now swim in despair.
Devoid of oxygen, they struggle for air.
Invasive weeds tangle everywhere,
And garbage piles with no one to care.

I dream of days when I’ll once again gleam,
With waters pure, like a peaceful stream.
To be restored is my greatest dream,
So I can be more than this fading scene.










The Noorgarh Haliyaki Pond is located in the village of Haliyaki within the Pataudi Tehsil of Gurgaon district, Haryana. This 2.2-acre pond serves as a crucial water source for the surrounding farmlands and supports diverse life forms. However, over time, the pond had fallen into despair due to neglect and improper maintenance. 
























Problems Faced by the Pond





    

  • Garbage deposition 
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  • Overgrowth of invasive vegetation
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  • Eutrophication
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  • Seepage polluting groundwater supply system
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  • Damaged and discontinued embankments
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  • Silt and pollutant deposition
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  • Prone to encroachment 
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  • Poor water holding capacity
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To address these problems, E.F.I implemented a comprehensive restoration plan to restore the Noorgarh Haliyaki Pond to its natural state. The process involved multiple activities, including dewatering, de-weeding, sludge removal, desilting, embankment creation and fencing. 





The pond’s water was stagnant and contaminated with sewage, leading to the growth of invasive vegetation and harmful algal blooms. Diesel pumps were used to dewater the pond which made way for the removal of sludge accumulated on the pond bed. The discarded water was used in adjacent farm fields for irrigation purposes.
























Invasive plant species, particularly Prosopis juliflora, had dominated the pond’s surface, preventing the growth of native plants and causing an ecological imbalance. In the initial phase of restoration, approximately 1 acre of invasive growth was removed, resulting in the extraction of around 25 tonnes of weeds. Once the pond was fully dewatered, a sludge layer of 4-5 feet deep was exposed. This sludge was dried under the sun to allow easy removal by machinery. Tractor trolleys were used to transport the nutrient-rich sludge to an adjacent afforestation site, creating an ideal planting bed for saplings.
























As part of the restoration, the pond’s embankments were also worked upon. The primary embankment, which had suffered erosion and invasive vegetation growth, was repaired and strengthened using desilted soil. A 200-meter-long primary embankment was restored to clearly demarcate the pond’s boundaries. In addition, a secondary embankment, measuring 360 meters, was constructed around the pond to provide an extra layer of protection from erosion.
























To further protect the pond, fencing was installed around its perimeter. This serves multiple purposes, such as preventing unauthorized access and littering, and protecting the pond from potential encroachments by nearby farms. The fence is a crucial addition that helps safeguard the pond’s ecosystem and ensures that it remains clean and secure.



















Today, the Noorgarh Haliyaki Pond has been successfully restored. The pond benefits around 2000 people and is a significant water source for the nearby farmlands. With enhanced features like dual embankments, increased water storage capacity and protective fencing, the pond has once again become a dependable water source and a thriving ecosystem for the local community.





































































Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I









			


	
	



			



	
	
	
	
		

			
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