How rainwater can be used for years, Peepal Baba presents a brilliant example
The process of building a pond begins with finishing, water pit, composting and installation of hand pumps. Pond is built in the sloppiest place where gradients are more. Hyacinth are planted on 10% of the pond to prevent soil from entering the pond (too much Hyacinth increases the level of Carbon Dioxide in the pond, which is why they are cleaned time to time). Grasses and trees are planted on the banks of the pond which also prevents soil to enter into the pond. Most important factor here is that on the banks of Peepal Baba pond, grass named Umbrella Pom which acts like a water filter. Umbrella Pom is found across the globe, Japanese use them to purify their pond water. Initially, the plants are watered by hand pumps and water tankers, but as the trees begin to grow slowly, the water tankers are not able to come inside the forests and so (in 2-3 years) the ponds are ready.
The process of building a pond begins with finishing, water pit, composting and installation of hand pumps. Pond is built in the sloppiest place where gradients are more. Hyacinth are planted on 10% of the pond to prevent soil from entering the pond (too much Hyacinth increases the level of Carbon Dioxide in the pond, which is why they are cleaned time to time). Grasses and trees are planted on the banks of the pond which also prevents soil to enter into the pond. Most important factor here is that on the banks of Peepal Baba pond, grass named Umbrella Pom which acts like a water filter. Umbrella Pom is found across the globe, Japanese use them to purify their pond water. Initially, the plants are watered by hand pumps and water tankers, but as the trees begin to grow slowly, the water tankers are not able to come inside the forests and so (in 2-3 years) the ponds are ready.
Through these ponds, these forests are getting uninterrupted water supply of water tankers during corona period.
The country’s renowned environmental worker, Peepal Baba, has adopted a unique technology of water conservation to feed the plants of the forests amidst the falling water level and non-availability of water tankers. Peepal Baba has built small pits and ponds in the lowest point of every sloping place in the forests.
Monsoon is underway. The weather is apt for flora and fauna. It is responsible for their development. If we act actively during monsoon, it can be profitable for years. Yes, during monsoon, if we focus on water conservation, the ground water level can be elevated and the water scarcity can be reduced for years. But every year, amid the depleting water level, humans use motor, subversively pump and engines to fulfill their needs. Due to lack of water conservation, rain water usually goes through drains, which then enters rivers and finally merges into sea. All the techniques of rainwater conservation and rainwater harvesting are available all over the world, but the number of users using these techniques is quite low. Such experiments need to be promoted on a large scale.
The Ministry of Water Resources in the country is continuously working towards water development. Apart from these government departments, there are some people in the country who are engaged in unique methods for water conservation. Among all these steps the important thing is that, ponds are created inside forests to water the plants. In this context, the country’s renowned environmental worker, Peepal Baba, has developed a unique method of pond construction which is very useful to increase the water level amidst the depleting water level.
Why ponds are essential for the development of forests, how these ponds helped forests in the corona period*
As trees grow, the likelihood of water tankers to enter forest decreases. That’s why ponds and hand pumps are needed. Jasvir Malik, an important member of the Peepal Baba’s team, points out that when due to lockdown water tankers stopped coming, during the Corona period then water supply was ensured from the forest ponds in the ragged summer.
It is evident that Peepal Baba is putting a base of green revolution for people. People from every corner of the country is joining his campaign. With reference to water conservation, it is a matter of fact that Peepal Baba has built 30 ponds for the development of forests in Uttar Pradesh. In the last decade, Peepal Baba has been working on the development of 3 huge forests of 15-15 acres in Sorkha village of Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Mancha in Greater Noida and Rahimabad in Lucknow.
More than 2.1 crore trees have been planted in the country under the leadership of Peepal Baba, the most of which is 1.27 crore of peepal trees followed by Neem, Rosewood etc. So far, 14500 volunteers have joined the Peepal baba’s tree plantation campaign and they have reached 202 districts in 18 states of the country. People’s Baba’s team is going to launch a number of campaigns in the country to make the country greener by linking every person of the country with green revolution. In the same context, Peepal baba is going to be launch a Neem Campaign at Rishikesh in Haridwar from 1 September, 2020 to 30 September, 2020.