Water Bodies Conservation – Reviving Community Ponds through Desilting

Divya Priya
January 13, 2026

Under the Bandhan Bank Project, focused efforts toward water body conservation continued this month with the desilting of village ponds in Pillayarkuppam. The desilting work is an important ecological and community intervention, as many traditional ponds gradually lose their water-holding capacity due to silt deposition, weed growth, and neglect. By removing accumulated silt, the depth and storage capacity of the ponds are restored, helping them recharge groundwater more effectively during the monsoon.

The activity also supports improved access to clean water for local communities, strengthens climate resilience, and enhances biodiversity around the ponds. Desilted ponds act as vital recharge structures, benefiting wells and borewells in the surrounding areas and supporting agriculture, livestock, and domestic use. Local residents actively engaged in the process, witnessing the transformation of a neglected water body into a functional community resource.

Beyond the physical restoration, the programme emphasizes awareness about the cultural and ecological value of traditional ponds. The work in Pillayarkuppam marks another meaningful step toward restoring village water heritage, supporting sustainable water management, and ensuring that these vital ecosystems continue to benefit both people and nature in the long term.

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