Survey
Map the pond's full original area, its inlets and its catchment, and record encroachments and sewage outfalls.
Ponds and lakes in North West
84ponds, out of 130 water bodies
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 130 ponds, tanks, lakes and other water bodies in North West district. 130 of them (100%) were not in use and 23 had been encroached upon. North West has the 3rd most ponds of the 9 districts in Delhi the census counted.
Every water body the census counted in North West
130 of 130 water bodies (100%) are not in use: dried up, silted, built over or polluted. Bringing them back is one of the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Loading the map of water bodies in North West…
- Ponds84
- Lakes2
- Others44
Source: 1st Census of Water Bodies, Ministry of Jal Shakti (counted in 2018-19, published 2023).
Why North West's ponds matter for its groundwater
65%Safe
North West pumps out 65% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board), which the board rates safe. Working ponds are a large part of what keeps it there, by letting rain soak back into the ground.
Bringing a pond in North West back
Most ponds that are not in use can be revived. The work is the same in a village or a city sector:
Desilt
Dig out the silt that has sealed the bed, so water soaks into the ground again instead of evaporating.
Reconnect
Clear and line the channels that bring rain in, with a silt trap before the pond; divert sewage away from it.
Recharge
Add recharge shafts or wells in the bed where the soil is tight, so water reaches the aquifer faster.
Protect
Fence or plant the banks, mark the boundary and hand upkeep to the panchayat or residents' body.
Frequently asked questions
How many ponds are there in North West?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies (Ministry of Jal Shakti, counted in 2018-19, published 2023) counted 84 ponds in North West district, out of 130 water bodies in all. That is the 3rd most ponds of 9 districts in Delhi counted by the census.
How many lakes are there in North West?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 2 lakes and 0 reservoirs in North West district, along with 0 tanks.
How many water bodies in North West are not in use?
130 of the 130 water bodies (100%) were not in use when counted: dried up, silted, cut off from their catchment, polluted or built over. 23 had been encroached upon.
How do ponds help groundwater in North West?
A working pond holds rain long enough for it to soak into the ground and refill wells and borewells nearby. A silted or encroached pond sends that rain down the drain instead. Desilting, reopening inlets and adding recharge shafts in the pond bed are among the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Is groundwater in North West running out?
In the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, North West district pumped out 65% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year ("safe").
Ponds in other districts of Delhi
Districts ranked by number of ponds in the 1st Census of Water Bodies.
- 1South West219 water bodies, 17% not in use190
- 2North160 water bodies, 93% not in use114
- 3West77 water bodies, 71% not in use48
- 4South106 water bodies, 97% not in use42
- 5New Delhi49 water bodies, 73% not in use26
- 6Central18 water bodies, 89% not in use7
- 7East51 water bodies, 100% not in use2
- 8Shahdara16 water bodies, 100% not in use1