Bijupur pond in Berhampur is in a pitiable condition and dire need of renovation. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, July 25: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation is renovating 42 water bodies here to meet the water requirement of the city.

“The water bodies, which are part of the local hydrologic system, were built during 18th and 19th centuries. The tanks store monsoon waters for drier periods and recharge groundwater. They also support a rich ecosystem,” said executive engineer of the corporation Asim Mishra.

“The Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 15 crore since 2008-09 fiscal. The project cost is being shared by the Centre (80 per cent), the state government (10 per cent) and the civic body. We have already spent Rs 8.90 crore and restored 26 of 42 water bodies till today,” Mishra said. The deadline was 2014, he said.

“We have to undertake works to ensure renovation and preservation of the water bodies. Another important aspect is maintenance and separate funds must be provided for it.”

“It is a welcome sign to see awareness among local people. When the ponds were being renovated, local residents came forward to maintain these at the community level. In the Industrial Estate area, too, the local people have planted coconut trees on the embankment and started pisciculture. They have generated funds by selling coconut and fish to maintain the water body.”

The civic body has also constructed community toilets near the ponds at some places, including Haridakhandi and Khodasingi, to check water pollution. Large tanks are also being constructed beside the ponds at Goilundi, Kamapalli, Sunari Bandha and Dhoba Bandha to immerse puja wastes.

The population of the city, which is spread over 79.80sqkm, is about 0.35 million. Rise in population here has seen encroachment of the tanks. Disappearance of Berhampur ponds started in the 80s. Some water bodies have turned into dumping yards.

On January 15, 2004, chief minister Naveen Patnaik laid a foundation stone for the Biju Patnaik Sanskrutik Bhavan sponsored by the Berhampur Development Authority at Hillpatna, where a pond was filled up to provide space.

Moreover, two temples are built on an area where a pond used to exist.