In the heartland of India, where rural landscapes once thrived with lush greenery and pristine ponds,one person’s passion is reshaping the destiny of water bodies. Ramveer Tanwar, lovingly known as India’s ‘Pond Man,’ has made it his life’s mission to restore these essential water bodies and safeguard the environment for a sustainable future.
In his childhood, the love for nature was ingrained in Ramveer Tanwar’s daily routine. After finishing his day at the school, he would lead his cattle to graze. He would then settle beside the village pond to complete his homework while absorbing the serenity of the surroundings. However, as the years passed and urbanization encroached upon his native village of Dadha in Greater Noida, these cherished ponds began to vanish. These endearing water bodies were replaced by concrete jungles and growing populations.
Rather than succumbing to despair, Tanwar felt compelled to take action. In his college days he started addressing the loss of water bodies and forest lands around his neighborhood. His college offered an opportunity to engage in social or environmental activities, and he seized it with both hands.
‘Jal Chaupal’
Teaming up with fellow students, Tanwar initiated an informal water conservation campaign called ‘Jal Chaupal’ within local communities.Commencing their efforts in Dadha the group soon expanded their outreach to villages across Uttar Pradesh. As the months passed, environmentalists joined their cause. Now they started holding meetings with villagers to discuss water quality issues and potential mitigation measures.
After completing his graduation, Tanwar secured a job at a multinational company, where he worked for nearly two years. However, ‘Jal Chaupal’ never left his heart. In 2016, he made the bold decision to quit his lucrative job and fully dedicate his time and energy to saving dwindling water bodies.
Restoring one lake at a time
Two years later, in 2018, Tanwar founded the non-governmental organization Say Earth which has now become a prominent environmental NGO in India. It specializes in water conservation through the restoration of water bodies and the creation of self-sustaining urban forests.
Tanwar along with his team has been able to restore nearly 100 water bodies in the last six years. The group has now extended their catchment area and are working beyond Uttar Pradesh.They have restored water bodies in states, including Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh.
Hailed by PM
People have hailed the hard work that Tanwar has put in over the years. For his relentless efforts to restore the pond ecology, he has earned the title of the Pond Man of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programs in 2021 acknowledged his contributions.
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