Regeneration and Rejuvenation of Water Bodies in the City of Bhawanipatna

Abstract

Abstract: Water is one of the essential resources for human survival.it is also a precious national resource linked to every aspect of development. With less than 3% of the Earth's water being fresh, the need to conserve and manage it is crucial. Global warming, climate change causes inadequate rainfall which are the reason for the water stress condition of india.it effect the level of water in ponds and lakes and eventually dries them up. Water bodies like lakes and ponds are integral for drinking water, agriculture, and urban purposes. Assessing freshwater resources and implementing conservation measures are essential for sustainable development. Watershed development, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling are essential for sustainable water supply in the coming future. Regeneration and rejuvenation of water bodies are important for sustainable development of cities and town as they help in water conservation, ground water recharge, improve climatic conditions, supports bio-diversity, etc. In which community plays important role in the regeneration and rejuvenation process. Bhawanipatna is the city and the districts headquarter of the Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Odisha. These water bodies both big and small have an inseparable impact on the aestheticity and operational functionality of the city. They are a vital part of the temperature regulatory mechanism and help the city in various other ways. Bhawanipatna, having highest population growth in the Kalahandi District, faces an imminent and acute water scarcity due to the lack of development as compared to other cities. Asha Sagar Pond which is located at the epicenter of Bhawanipatna has a significant amount of land cover that impacts the lifestyle and influences the microclimate of the study area. Implementation of water management scheme with local community participation is essential for sustainable urban development of cities and towns. Restoration methods such as preventive and ameliorative method can help in overcoming water scarcity at a micro to city level. There is a growing concern in many quarters that the world is running out of water. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2006, for over a billion people around the world, water access is unreliable, unsafe or beyond their purchasing power (UNDP, 2006). Urban areas in India are facing a water crisis due to loss of watershed, increasing levels of pollution, deteriorating water balance, lowering of water table and a dire lack of groundwater recharge (Singh, 2012). Regeneration and rejuvenation of water bodies are important for sustainable development of cities and town as they help in water conservation, ground water recharge, improve climatic conditions, supports bio-diversity