Badkhal Lake in Faridabad was once a peaceful and scenic water body Rainwater Harvesting nestled in the Aravalli hills. It used to attract visitors and support local biodiversity, but over time, the lake dried up. The reasons were many- illegal mining damaged the natural water flow, deforestation reduced water retention in the soil, and rapid urbanization disrupted its ecosystem. Today, treated sewage water is being used to fill the lake, but this approach brings its own challenges and risks.
There’s another, more natural way to bring the lake back- rainwater harvesting. The idea isn’t new. In fact, Badkhal Lake was originally designed in the 1960s to collect rainwater Harvesting from the hills around it. It has a catchment area of over a thousand hectares, made up of rocky hills and sandy soil, which are excellent for collecting and storing rainwater Harvesting. Faridabad still receives around 550 millimeters of rain each year, most of it during the monsoon. The lake didn’t dry up because there wasn’t enough rain. It dried up because the land around it was damaged and the water could no longer reach it.
Rainwater Harvesting & Revival of Badkhal Lake
If we restore the natural channels that once fed the lake, plant trees to hold moisture, and build small water-holding structures like check dams and traditional johads, we can bring water back into the system. These methods don’t just collect rain- they help it seep slowly into the ground, raising the water table and refilling the lake over time.
In the nearby city areas, we can collect rain from rooftops and direct it toward the lake. This has worked in other cities like Chennai and Delhi, where lakes and groundwater levels have improved significantly. Stormwater, which usually floods roads and drains during the monsoon, can also be captured and redirected to support lake revival.
One big advantage of using rainwater Harvesting is its purity. Unlike treated sewage water, which still carries nutrients that can cause algae and weed overgrowth, rainwater Harvesting is clean. This helps avoid problems like water hyacinth and low oxygen levels in the lake, which can harm aquatic life.
Other parts of India have already shown us that this works. In Rajasthan, traditional rainwater harvesting revived dried-up rivers and raised groundwater levels. In Delhi, old lakes have come back to life with better planning and community involvement. Even in cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, lakes have been restored through simple steps and the participation of local residents.
To make this work for Badkhal, we need strong action against illegal mining, serious reforestation efforts, and, most importantly, community support. When people living nearby get involved, they become caretakers of the lake. A dedicated team should be set up to manage the project and make sure efforts continue over time.
Restoring Badkhal Lake through rainwater harvesting isn’t just possible- it’s necessary. It’s cleaner, more sustainable, and rooted in the lake’s original purpose. The rainfall is still there. The natural landscape, though damaged, can still be revived. What’s needed now is the commitment to work with nature instead of against it.
Badkhal Lake can be more than a reminder of what was lost. It can become a living example of how thoughtful water management and community action can bring a dry lake back to life.
