B.S.F (Bhondsi) Pond

Pond Restoration Story

Background

Reclaiming ponds — a challenge spanning every landscape in India

Across the globe, the restoration, rejuvenation, and creation of ponds represent a formidable challenge, spanning both urban and rural landscapes. India, too, grapples with this issue. Despite their crucial role in ecological and biodiversity balance, ponds have often been relegated to the periphery of urban planning and development priorities.

In the face of pressing needs such as water supply, their significance has been overshadowed. This negligence, compounded by limited financial resources, institutional capacity constraints, and the relentless march of urbanization, has exacerbated the challenges faced by government agencies.

Consequently, environmental degradation and associated health concerns have emerged as urgent issues demanding attention — making the BSF Bhondsi Pond restoration a critical and timely intervention.

The BSF Bhondsi site — a pond awaiting restoration within the campus grounds

Why Intervention Was Urgent

Need for Project

Sewage, a defunct STP, and 116 families bearing the burden

Amidst the initial site exploration, a disheartening scene unfolded: sewage pooling around the manhole, transforming the once picturesque landscape into a cesspool of degradation. Adding to the distress was the sight of a defunct 50 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant, its machinery silent for years.

Within the confines of the campus, approximately 116 families endured the repercussions of this environmental plight. It became evident that urgent intervention was imperative to address the management of wastewater, to metamorphose its potential harm into a source of communal benefit.

A vision emerged — one that aimed not only to mitigate environmental hazards but also to elevate the aesthetic allure of the surroundings, enriching the lives of those within the community.

Sewage pooling and the defunct STP that necessitated urgent restoration works

Location & Site Details

Project Area

95 BSF, Bhondsi, Gurugram — at 28.365270°N, 77.056611°E

In the heart of 95 BSF, Bhondsi, Gurugram, nestled within the coordinates 28.365270°N and 77.056611°E, a new oasis emerges. This tranquil haven falls within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, yet its guardianship rests firmly within the ambit of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Spanning a collective area of approximately 0.5 acres, including its protective buffer, this pond embodies the convergence of natural serenity and human stewardship.

It is not merely infrastructure; it is a sanctuary — a space where the community's relationship with nature can be renewed, and the land reclaimed from the grip of neglect and pollution.

The 0.5-acre project site at 95 BSF campus, Bhondsi, Gurugram

Goals of the Initiative

Aim and Objectives

A pond, a treatment system, and a community brought together

At the core of our endeavor lies a singular aim: to forge a pond and water treatment system that serves as a beacon of hope amidst the challenges of sewage waterlogging. Our mission transcends mere infrastructure; it aspires to reclaim the essence of our landscape while safeguarding its integrity.

By addressing the scourge of sewage waterlogging, we aim to rejuvenate the very lifeblood of our ecosystem and pave the path towards groundwater replenishment.

Develop a resilient pond and water treatment infrastructure capable of mitigating sewage waterlogging, thereby alleviating environmental distress.
Harness the power of groundwater recharge, fostering sustainability and resilience in our ecosystem.
Transform the pond into a sanctuary for community engagement and recreation, enriching the lives of local inhabitants while nurturing a sense of belonging.

The vision for BSF Bhondsi Pond — a thriving ecological and community asset

Biodiversity Survey

Ecological Profile

Seven native plant species and 28 fauna species — a rich living tapestry

A meticulous ecological profile unfolded, revealing a tapestry woven with native flora and fauna, untouched by the intrusion of invasive or exotic species.

Within this vibrant landscape, a symphony of life thrived, adorned by the presence of seven indigenous vegetation species: Neem, Papdi, Chudail Papdi, Beriya, Desi Keekar, Khejdi, and Israil Babool. Among them, the Neem tree stood tall as the undisputed guardian of the ecosystem.

A harmonious chorus of fauna graced the surroundings, comprising 28 distinct species. Among the avian inhabitants were the majestic Red-wattled Lapwing, the iridescent Green Bee-eater, the melodic Laughing Dove, and the regal Indian Grey Hornbill, to name but a few.

Enthralled by the richness of biodiversity, a unanimous decision was reached: the open expanse encircling the pond would metamorphose into an environmental park — a sanctuary for communion with the natural world.

Native flora thriving around the BSF Bhondsi pond — a biodiversity-rich landscape

Engineering & Ecology

Technical Interventions

Nature-based treatment technology — the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor

Following thorough deliberation and comprehensive pre-feasibility studies, a consensus emerged: the adoption of nature-based treatment technology to address the challenges of wastewater and rainwater management. This approach, rooted in ecological principles, promised a sustainable solution to safeguard the integrity of the ecosystem.

Activity 01

Pond Development

Full development of the 0.5-acre pond, including excavation, embankment construction, slope stabilization, and water-retention preparation to create a permanent water body.

Activity 02

50 KLD WWTP Construction

Construction of a 50 KLD Wastewater Treatment Plant using the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) — a nature-based technology that purifies wastewater before release into the pond.

Activity 03

Pathway & Fencing

Construction of brick-and-red-sand pathways around the pond and erection of protective fencing — designed to minimize concrete use and preserve the natural environment.

Activity 04

Seating & Amenities

Placement of seating and dustbins throughout the pond area to create a welcoming, functional community space that encourages engagement with the restored ecosystem.

Steps in Construction — Click to Explore

Each step in the pond and WWTP construction, documented on ground.

1) Site Demarcation

Initial demarcation of the 0.5-acre project site at 95 BSF, Bhondsi campus.

2) Pond Excavation

Excavation works begin to create the pond basin and establish the water body footprint.

3) Excavation for WWTP

Separate excavation carried out to accommodate the Wastewater Treatment Plant structure.

4) PCC for ABR

Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) laid as the foundation base for the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor.

5) Reinforcement for Walls of WWTP

Steel reinforcement bars set in place for the WWTP wall structure to ensure structural integrity.

6) Construction of ABR Walls

Walls of the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor constructed — the core of the nature-based treatment system.

7) Slab Casting of ABR

Roof slab cast over the ABR chambers, completing the structural enclosure of the treatment plant.

8) Gravel Bed for Plantation

Gravel bed laid in the wetland zone to support the plantation and natural filtration system.

9) Plantation in Wetland

Wetland plants established within the gravel bed — integral to the phytorid treatment process.

10) Development of Pathway

Brick-and-red-sand pathways developed around the pond to encourage community engagement.

11) Plantation of Vegetation

Native and new species — Neem, Jamun, Amla, Jasmine, Hibiscus and more — planted around the campus.

12) Placement of Seats

Seating placed around the restored pond area — completing the transformation into a community sanctuary.

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On-Ground Documentation

Visual Vignettes

WWTP & Wetland, Plantation, Landscaping and the Pond — in motion

A visual record of the four pillars of the BSF Bhondsi restoration: the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wetland in operation, the plantation drive, the landscaping approach, and the pond area itself.

Waste Water Treatment Plant and Wetland

Rainwater and treated wastewater are the primary lifelines of the pond. The Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) purifies wastewater before it flows into the restored water body.

Before & After

The transformation of BSF Bhondsi Pond — from sewage-waterlogged ground to a thriving community oasis.

Before

After

Community Engagement

IEC Activity

Jawans empowered, Brookfield's EVP, and a campus transformed

Recognizing the pivotal role of community engagement in project success, BSF campus embarked on a journey of awareness and action. Jawans were empowered through educational sessions on water and wastewater management, emphasizing the significance of rainwater harvesting and the perils of solid waste deposition in water bodies. The detrimental effects of groundwater depletion were underscored, alongside the pivotal role of ponds in the local ecosystem.

With generous support from Brookfield Properties, an Employee Voluntary Program (EVP) unfolded, enlightening participants on the imperative of water conservation and its far-reaching impacts. Together, they forged pathways of change, planting trees and adorning the campus with nature's splendor. Through collective action and shared responsibility, the community emerged as custodians of sustainability, nurturing a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come.