The missing water bodies of Western Uttar Pradesh

Traditional water bodies such as bawdis and talabs have long since been an integral part of rural life in India providing water, fish and sometimes even just a venue for people to chit chat. The flat plains in Western Uttar Pradesh, where the Ganga and Yamuna rivers meet, is no exception. Once home to many such water bodies, this area where the epic Mahabharata was set, has slowly given way to rapid urbanization. 

Gandhari talaab mythically used by Gandhari the mother of the Kauravas, and Suraj kund a reservoir that can be traced back to the times of Baba Manohar Nath, a contemporary of the famous Sufi saint Shahpeer, were once situated here. The Baba Manohar Nath temple was built during Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's time alonside a mausoleum. The water from the kund was used for religious purposes, ritual baths as well as for water harvesting. 

The Meerut Gazetteer records how Lala Jawahar Mal, a local ruler impressed with its healing powers renovated the water body in 1700. During the Mughal period the pond was filled with the water of Abu Nala and later, with the waters of the Ganga canal. The next to take over the upkeep of these water bodies were the British. It was when they handed over this responsibility to the Municipality in 1865, did the neglect begin.

Revenue records suggest that there are 3062 water bodies in 663 villages in Meerut district alone. Till the 1960s, these water bodies were visible all around the city and formed an important water buffer, especially during the summers. Most of them are in a pitiable state now and have been encroached upon by people right under the nose of the administration. Gandhari talaab, 60 m long, 50 m wide and 6 m deep, is no longer suitable to recharge groundwater. This water body located in Parikshitgarh block in Meerut district dried up three decades ago and has now been encroached upon.