Bharathidasan University restores 12 ponds on its campus

Ponds being desilted and restored on the Bharathidasan University campus in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Ponds being desilted and restored on the Bharathidasan University campus in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Bharathidasan University (BDU) has completed the restoration of 12 ponds on its campus, aimed at enhancing rainwater storage, groundwater recharge, and strengthening the ecological balance of the 642-acre campus.In the month-long project, the ponds were desilted and restored in association with Mannum Maramum Iyakkam, Rotary Clubs of Tiruchi, Foundation for Natural Resources and Sustainability (FONS), M.N. Gayathri Charities, Chennai, ExNoRa International, Chennai, KRG Foundation and BDU’s Clean Green Initiative.“The restoration has been done as per the existing dimensions of each pond. We are calculating the actual amount of water that could be saved through these bodies,” S. Rajakumar, coordinator, Clean Green Initiative, and associate professor and head, Department of Marine Biotechnology, told The Hindu.Approximately ₹40 lakh was spent on the project. “We were able to save a considerable amount of money due to the provision of rent-free earthmoving vehicles by ExNoRa, which usually require around ₹50,000 a day in fuel and operating costs. Some of our partners have offered to maintain the 12 ponds on an annual basis in order to keep the initiative going,” Mr. Rajakumar said.The mud dug up during the pond clearing process had been reused for road-widening work across the BDU campus, he added.The ponds are expected to support biodiversity, provide habitats for aquatic organisms, and contribute to a greener and more sustainable campus environment.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Clean Green Initiative, and the Rotary Club of Tiruchi Dynamic, together with FONS, to provide a framework for future collaborative activities.The university authorities held a felicitation programme to recognise the efforts of partners on Thursday. Published - October 30, 2026 04:54 pm IST