Keonjhar: District police, in an environment-friendly initiative, volunteered labour to give an abandoned and polluted pond a new look here.

"The pond, dating back to British Raj, had been lying in neglect. So, we decided to refurbish it by voluntary labour right from the officers to the gram rakshis on the lower police rung. The pond is a natural source of water. It has ample water retention capacity. In summer days, it never gets dried up," said Keonjhar police superintendent Jai Narayan Pankaj.

The pond in the reserve police line had become a dumping ground. With the pond becoming stagnant, it had become a breeding place for mosquito. Besides, the nauseating smell from the polluted water body was a disconcerting for the people living nearby.

However, the water body is located in a calm surroundings free from the din and bustle of urban life. Devotees throng the temple located in the vicinity of the pond.

"I discussed the proposal for renovating the pond with my subordinates. They gladly consented to the plan. All agreed to volunteer labour to refurbish the pond and give a facelift to its ambience," he said.

It took three months of voluntary labour by policemen right from the gram rakshis to the officers for the environment-friendly project to take final shape, said the police superintendent.

"Apart from the labour, we spent funds from the district police welfare fund to beautify the surroundings. To make the place more attractive, we are planning to launch boat rides for children. The boats are being procured from the police welfare funds," he said.

"It's a very nice initiative. The pond and its surroundings have undergone sea change. Children will spend leisure time nicely here after the boat ride is introduced," said local resident Rasanand Mohanta.