15 years on, a little planning helps a pond reappear

“It is a unique project because not only are we getting a water body back, but the debris is put to use and not just dumped elsewhere,” said an official from the garden cell, who did not want to be named. The pond, previously spread over 7.5 acres, was once a natural water reservoir that was encroached upon over the years. About 50,000 cubic metre of construction debris had been dumped in the pond and huts had also come up, reducing its area considerably.

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The pond, said to be 400 years old, was central to the traditions followed by the East Indian community living in Kolovery village — as 56-year-old Philomena Merchant recalled that water for the ‘Umracha paani’ tradition, “where the bridal couple bathes in water from a nearby well”, used to be sourced from the Kalina pond. “It had potable water at one time. The tank also had a well in the centre and it was known as ‘Baya ki bawdi’ after a local deity called ‘Baya’. Before any important function, people used to touch the well and pray to Baya for blessings. In May, the tank doubled up as a recreation place, with relay races and other functions being held on the dry pond surface. We are just glad that part of the pond is being revived, so our traditions can come alive too,” she said.

Around 10 years ago, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sanctioned a jogging track and a pathway on the plot and the gardens department provided a Rs 3.6-crore budget for the same, but a Bombay High Court order said the pond should be revived. The work has renewed hope among the villagers, who had gone to the Bombay High Court to reclaim the pond. The villagers, in 2007, challenged the civic body’s plan to turn the debris-filled plot reserved as a pond in the Development Plan into a recreation garden.

anjali.lukose@expressindia.com