Interview: Meet India's 'Pond Man' —Ramveer Tanwar

Ramveer Tanwar, a mechanical engineer from Ghaziabad, left his cushy corporate job to protect ponds. He has given new life to several ponds across the country. He started the 'Jal Chaupal' campaign to promote water conservation, starting in Dadha village in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, and expanded it to other regions. 

Growing up in rural India, Ramveer's childhood was connected to local water bodies—swimming in ponds, taking buffaloes for grazing, and experiencing the simple joys of village life. However, witnessing the alarming disappearance of these water sources over just two decades ignited a passion that would later define his life's mission.

India's first comprehensive Census of Water Bodies was conducted with reference to the year 2017-18, aiming to create a national database of all water bodies. The census covered 33 states and union territories, excluding Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Lakshadweep. The census numbered 2,424,540 water bodies nationwide, with 16.3% (approximately 400,000) not in use due to factors like drying up, siltation, or destruction beyond repair.

His work includes removing illegal encroachments, beautifying, and reviving ponds. By 2023, he had renovated approximately 80 ponds in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Gujarat. 

In this interview with Ground Report, Tanwar shares his journey to becoming a conservationist and emphasizes the critical importance of restoring and preserving water bodies for future generations. Read the interview excerpts here...

Q: What motivated you to make this transition from a corporate job to full-time environmentalist?

Ramveer: My journey began with weekend cleanup drives while working at an MNC. I noticed a concerning pattern—many environmental initiatives were limited to discussions and presentations, resulting in awards and applause but no tangible change. After our first successful pond cleanup in 2018, we received overwhelming support from NGOs, corporate entities, and government officers who saw our work on social media. This opened my eyes to the world of NGOs, CSR funding, and the possibility of securing donations for environmental work.

I made a strategic decision—I quit my corporate job and started a tuition center. This was a calculated move because I could earn the same salary teaching for 2-3 hours that I earned working 8 hours in the corporate sector. This arrangement gave me the financial stability to pursue pond restoration full-time while maintaining the flexibility to respond to community needs and restoration opportunities. Invitations from various villages and schools to conduct similar initiatives in their areas validated our decision.

Q: What inspired you to start working on pond restoration? 

Ramveer: I grew up in Dadha village, where ponds were a vital part of our daily lives. As a child, I spent a lot of time around them while grazing cattle. But as I grew older, I saw these ponds disappear—either drying up or getting polluted with waste.

Later, when I moved to the city for studies and work, I realised that the water crisis was a serious issue, not just in villages but everywhere. People were struggling for clean water, and yet, natural water bodies were being neglected. 

That’s when I knew I had to do something. I started with small awareness campaigns and clean-up drives in my village. Over time, as I learnt more about the issue, I decided to leave my corporate job and dedicate myself fully to restoring ponds. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I felt it was my responsibility. Our ancestors preserved these water bodies for us, and now it's our turn to ensure future generations inherit them in a better condition. 

Q: How did you build expertise in pond restoration?

Ramveer: After leaving my job, I realised that passion alone wasn't enough—I needed technical expertise. I discovered the Green Skill Development Program (GSDP), a joint initiative of the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

I also travelled to Japan to learn advanced pond-cleaning techniques. I received training under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). I gained expertise in water quality testing, ecological restoration, and sustainable conservation methods. 

During my six-month training at CPCB, I learnt everything from water quality testing to creating restoration guidelines. The program was intensive, involving practical laboratory work, field visits, and hands-on experience with water testing equipment.

Beyond GSDP, I pursued multiple online certification courses offered by established NGOs. This technical foundation was crucial because pond restoration isn't just about removing garbage—it involves understanding water chemistry, ecological systems, filtration methods, and the role of native plants. The training helped me develop comprehensive restoration approaches that consider both immediate cleanup needs and long-term ecological sustainability."

Q: How do you handle opposition and encroachment issues during restoration?

Ramveer: "Our first restoration attempt was a complete failure because we didn't properly address the encroachment issue. About 30-40% of the pond was already encroached, and the encroachers had systematic plans to grab more land each year. This experience forced us to halt work for six months and completely rethink our strategy.

Now, we implement a tri-party agreement system involving our NGO, local government bodies, and sponsors. This agreement clearly delineates responsibilities: local authorities handle encroachment issues, we focus on execution and technical aspects, and sponsors manage funding.

We also establish local committees of 11 members, strategically involving religious institutions like temples or mosques. We've found that when religious leaders support the cause, opposition significantly decreases. This approach has helped us transform potential opposition into active support."

Q: You have restored many ponds and earned the title "Pond Man of India." How do you balance recognition with your mission and measure the impact of your work?

Ramveer: So far, we have restored over 80 water bodies in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and other states, and our goal is to scale this initiative further by involving more NGOs, corporations, and communities. We want to build a network of 'Pond Warriors'—a community of passionate individuals working towards water body restoration.

Being called the 'Pond Man of India' is an honour. We all have two names—one given by our parents and another earned through our work. Initially, some people used it jokingly, but after the Prime Minister mentioned it in Mann Ki Baat, the media popularised it. To make the movement bigger than just one person, I created a Pond Man logo to represent a larger initiative. Whenever we restore a pond in a village, we train local youth as 'Village Resource Persons,' who receive a Pond Man or Pond Woman certificate after learning the restoration process. Our aim is not just to clean water bodies but to create one lakh Pond Men and women across India because a single person cannot restore all the ponds in the country. To measure impact, we conducted a baseline survey before restoration to assess the pond’s area, depth, water-holding capacity, nearby groundwater levels, and community issues such as health problems or bad odor. After a monsoon season, we carry out a Post-Restoration Impact Assessment to measure improvements in water capacity, biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and community perception. This scientific approach helps us track real progress and ensures that our efforts lead to meaningful change.

Q: How do you see youth participation in environmental conservation?

Ramveer:  Youth plays a key role. When we started 'Selfie with Pond' in 2018, the goal was simple—let people take pictures of ponds and share their condition. Over time, thousands joined from across India and even nine other countries.

Later, we guided them on filing RTIs (Right to Information) to check if funds meant for pond restoration were actually being used. Many ponds were revived when local authorities had to act under public pressure. Youth involvement is crucial—they can raise awareness, push for action, and even ensure accountability through RTIs.

Q: You have received training in India and abroad. Is there a difference in environmental technology?

Ramveer: The technology is mostly the same; the difference is in implementation. Countries like Singapore strictly enforce rules—if something is banned, no one dares to do it. For example, in Singapore, rules are strictly followed. If the government bans something, people obey because they know there will be consequences. That’s why their systems work so well. One good example is their water management system. They have a well-planned drainage system where rainwater gets cleaned naturally as it flows. They use special plants and machines called aerators to keep the water clean. Once these systems are set up, they don’t need much maintenance because people follow the rules. 

In India, we have similar technologies, but the problem is how they are maintained. Many times, when new systems are installed—like aerators in lakes or special plants to filter water—they get damaged or misused. Some people don’t understand their purpose, and others don’t feel responsible for keeping them safe. We also have laws to protect water bodies, but they are not strictly enforced. Even when rules exist, they are often ignored, and violations go unpunished. The real issue is not a lack of technology but a lack of awareness and discipline. If we can educate people and make sure rules are followed properly, we can improve water conservation in India just like other countries.

Q: What message do you have for people who want to contribute to environmental conservation?

Ramveer: Start small. Stop littering water bodies, plant trees around them, and educate others. If we all take responsibility for one small piece of nature, together, we can bring about a massive change. First, stop littering around water bodies. If you see trash in a pond, lake, or river, don’t just complain—pick it up. Small actions like these create a ripple effect. When others see you taking responsibility, they are more likely to do the same. Second, plant trees near water bodies. Trees help maintain water levels, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity. Even if every person plants just a few trees, the impact will be massive over time. Another important step is spreading awareness. Many people don’t realise how their daily actions—dumping waste, over-extracting groundwater, or filling up ponds for land—are harming the environment. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbours. Use social media to share the importance of protecting our natural resources. Water is life, and saving it should be our collective mission.

Q: How do you fund your NGO, and what are your expansion plans?

Ramveer: Our NGO currently relies on individual donations and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding, but we are working towards financial sustainability. One approach is agroforestry—planting trees that generate income over time.

Our long-term goal is to expand to 10 states in the next four years. Many young people in villages want to start similar initiatives but lack knowledge about accessing resources. We guide them on securing funds and planning projects, allowing the model to replicate itself.

Currently, we are working in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Our biggest goal is to create 1 lakh ponds for men and women across India because a single person cannot restore all the ponds in the country.

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