Vasai's Disappearing Water: Ponds Vanish Under Concrete

Vasai's unique system of ancient bavkhals, vital private and communal ponds, is under severe threat from systematic decimation. Hundreds of these waterbodies, numbering at least 800 across Vasai taluka, are being illegally reclaimed for construction. Land prices in Vasai have driven landowners and builders to prioritize development over these centuries-old water sources, with over 50 bavkhals lost in the last six to seven years. This alarming trend is leading to increased vulnerability to water scarcity and heightened flood risks.

Local communities and activists are mobilizing once again to protect these disappearing waterbodies, a struggle distinct from past movements focused on water extraction. Despite presenting evidence of legal violations to civic officials, no action has been taken against encroachers. The invisibility of many bavkhals, due to their remoteness and dense cover, complicates monitoring and enforcement efforts. However, recent initiatives by the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation aim to include these bavkhals in the new Development Plan, designating them as no-development zones to ensure their preservation.