Mahesana, located in northern Gujarat, is a district that harmoniously blends urban development with expansive rural landscapes. The Khari River winds through the region, supporting a thriving network of farmlands and dairy farms, which form a vital part of the local economy. Situated in a semi-arid zone, Mahesana faces environmental challenges that make groundwater management and rainwater harvesting essential for sustaining agriculture and daily life. The presence of small water bodies, ponds, and check dams plays a critical role in aquifer recharge and maintaining the region’s ecological balance.

Mahesana is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The district’s arid grasslands provide habitat for wildlife such as the nilgai (blue bull), golden jackal, monitor lizard, snakes, toads, and numerous bird species. Native trees like neem, babul, and pipal enrich the ecosystem, offering food, shade, and nesting spaces that support this biodiversity.

Many water bodies in the Mahesana region have been lost over time due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, which shifted attention away from these vital natural resources. Once essential for groundwater recharge, agriculture, and local biodiversity, these water bodies have suffered from garbage dumping, sewage inflow, siltation, invasive weed growth, and overall neglect. As a result, many of them have lost their original ecological purpose and are now misused as dumping grounds for garbage and have become hotspots for antisocial activities.

EFI in collaboration with the Mahesana Municipal Corporation, launched the #BlueGreenMahesana project with the aim of restoring over 10 degraded water bodies, developing 5 urban afforestation sites, and reviving the 2km stretch of Khari River.

We thank Shri Ravindra Dhyaneshwar Khatale, I.A.S., Municipal Commissioner, MMC,
and the Mahesana Municipal Corporation for the administrative support extended.

Following the successful restoration of Fatepura South Lake, We took on the task of restoring Fatepura North Lake, Pancot Lake, Tavadiya Lake, and Dediyasan Lake, all located around Mehsana city. These lakes, nestled in surrounding villages, are vital for local agriculture, serving as the primary source of irrigation, aiding in groundwater recharge, and providing habitat for a range of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Over the years, all these water bodies were heavily silted, with very less storage capacity. Their peripheries were strewn with garbage, and invasive weeds had overtaken the lake beds, polluting the water and displacing native vegetation. Restoration was urgently needed to bring back their ecological and agricultural value.

The restoration of Fatepura North Talav, Pancot Lake, Tavadiya Lake, and Dediyasan Lake began with the removal of non-biodegradable waste dumped around their peripheries. Invasive weeds like Prosopis juliflora were cleared carefully without disturbing the native tree cover. These lakes, heavily silted over the years, were desilted up to a depth of 6 – 8 feet, and the excavated silt was reused to construct and strengthen embankments on all sides. A dual embankment system, consisting of primary and secondary embankments, was implemented to enhance the structural integrity of each water body. To promote biodiversity, nesting islands were created to provide safe spaces for birds and small animals to hunt, nest, and thrive. Furthermore, protective fencing was installed around the lakes to demarcate boundaries and prevent unwanted human interventions, ensuring long-term ecological stability

Restoration of Fatepura North Talav

Restoration of Panchot Talav

Restoration of Dediyasan Lake

Stay tuned for more updates from #BlueGreenMahesana

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