About the Eco-restoration Chakkarpur Wazirabad Bundh 

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Over the years, as Gurgaon grew and urbanised, these ancient bundhs fell victim to encroachment and neglect. They became areas used for defecation, dumping debris, and were no longer safe for citizens to move around in.  

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The eco-restoration initiative by iamgurgaon in collaboration with the Haryana Forest Department, Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), and Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has turned this around, creating a safe and beautiful space for the community to enjoy. The 5.2 km Chakkarpur Wazirabad Bundh eco-restoration initiative has breathed new life into a popular area of Gurgaon. It has created a vibrant green public space for all to enjoy, especially for the community that does not use motorised transport. The project is aimed at reviving the bundh system of Gurgaon which was designed to harness rainwater, maintain the water table, and regulate water management systems for the city.

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The Wazirabad Nullah

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The restoration initiative has brought environmental benefits to urban Gurgaon by creating a green corridor that serves as a large and open breathing space for the community. The project has also focused on the cleaning and de-clogging of the storm water drain or nullah running along the track to produce a smooth flowing water channel.  

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Over 20 years of accumulated garbage was removed, including more than 200 truckloads of silt and plastic waste which were properly segregated and disposed of. The flow of sewage into the nullah was stopped and diverted into sewage treatment plants, and measures were put in place to prevent further dumping of waste. Additionally, over 6000 cu.m. of construction and demolition waste was reused in the construction of the bundh. An integrated system for the proper collection and discharge of rainwater was also constructed along the bundh that involved recharge chambers, trenches, pits, and the laying of perforated pipes to ensure that rainwater flows in the right direction and recharges the groundwater table and nullah. 

The Impact Now

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The 5.2KM urban mobility forest corridor, once a neglected and unusable area, has undergone a transformative rejuvenation process that has uplifted its surrounding neighbourhood.  

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The initiative has ensured the plantation of over 30000 native trees and shrubs on the bundh, restoring the biodiversity of the area and attracting a diverse array of fauna to the region. Solar lights have been installed along the entire stretch, reducing dependence on non-renewable sources of energy and making the rejuvenated bundh more eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable. Additionally, this eco-friendly landscape has provided flood protection and recharges the groundwater table, ensuring a sustainable source of freshwater for the community. 

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A self-sustaining ecosystem that also operates as a carbon sink, the revived bundh has led to lower GHG emissions as it transformed people’s mobility patterns from the use of vehicles to walking and cycling. The Chakkarpur Wazirabad Bundh thus serves as a vital link that connects people across the city and allows them to travel safely through the city. It ensures universal accessibility for all, including ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. 

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This one-of-a-kind project epitomises that clean and green public spaces and infrastructure for sustainable mobility can be created in the heart of the city. 

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