Bhuikhel Pond located near famous Swayambhunath Temple, also called “Paleshwa Pukhu” (a pond of special flower in Newari language which is predominantly spoken in Kathmandu Valley) had turned into an impromptu waste disposal area before Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) intervened there during the implementation of the UNDP- Nepal and Coca Cola Company funded “Invaluable Drops- Recharge Kathmandu” project. Bhukhel’s woes began when the area surrounding the pond saw a proliferation in the number of houses in the last decade.
Bhuikhel Pond located near famous Swayambhunath Temple, also called “Paleshwa Pukhu” (a pond of special flower in Newari language which is predominantly spoken in Kathmandu Valley) had turned into an impromptu waste disposal area before Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) intervened there during the implementation of the UNDP- Nepal and Coca Cola Company funded “Invaluable Drops- Recharge Kathmandu” project. Bhukhel’s woes began when the area surrounding the pond saw a proliferation in the number of houses in the last decade. The water demand increased alongside the growing number of houses and that prompted the residents to dig countless number of wells in the area. As more wells were dug, more ground water was extracted causing the water table in the area to plummet. Bhuikhel faced the brunt of the scenario, and dried as a consequence.
With the funds made available from UNDP via the Every Drop Matters initiative, CIUD collaborated with local communities around the pond area (around Swayambhu ) and intervened to construct systems that would divert rainfall run off from staircases of the Swayambhu hillock into the pond. In an effort to revive the aesthetics of the pond and to retain water for the longest possible time, the pond bottom was lined with black cotton clay. A couple of recharge structures were constructed to recharge excess water from the pond into the ground.
CIUD’s intervention at the pond has marked a positive change in Buikhel’s timeline. This year post monsoon, the pond looked like it had turned a page in its book. “It was nice to see the pond full of water. It took me back to my childhood days,” says Kiran Shahi, president of Buikhel Tole Sudhar Samitee, the local organization that took the initiative to approach CIUD for support. “The recharge structures at the pond divert excess water in the ground. We are hoping that it will have a positive impact in the ground water level of the area in a few years time” he adds.
It is estimated that more than 3.5 million liters of monsoon water was recharged through the two recharge structures in the pond last year. The pond lies upstream of Dallu Awas, a big residential area and CIUD is hoping to see the impact of recharge in a few years. The biggest achievement, however, is the change in attitude of the surrounding communities. After witnessing Buikhel’s revival, local communities have come together to take an initiative to rehabilitate Manjushree Pond, a nearby pond that has shared Bhuikhel’s predicament. CIUD prepared a technical design for work at the pond and is supporting the community led initiative by every means possible.