Survey
Map the pond's full original area, its inlets and its catchment, and record encroachments and sewage outfalls.
Ponds and lakes in South
42ponds, out of 106 water bodies
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 106 ponds, tanks, lakes and other water bodies in South district. 103 of them (97%) were not in use and 40 had been encroached upon. South has the 5th most ponds of the 9 districts in Delhi the census counted.
Every water body the census counted in South
103 of 106 water bodies (97%) 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 South…
- Ponds42
- Tanks1
- Others63
Source: 1st Census of Water Bodies, Ministry of Jal Shakti (counted in 2018-19, published 2023).
Why South's ponds matter for its groundwater
103%Over-exploited
South pumps out 103% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board), which the board rates over-exploited. Every pond that holds rain long enough for it to soak in puts some of that water back, so the 103 ponds and tanks not in use are a recharge opportunity going to waste.
Bringing a pond in South 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 South?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies (Ministry of Jal Shakti, counted in 2018-19, published 2023) counted 42 ponds in South district, out of 106 water bodies in all. That is the 5th most ponds of 9 districts in Delhi counted by the census.
How many lakes are there in South?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies recorded no lakes or reservoirs in South district; its 106 water bodies are mostly ponds and 1 tank.
How many water bodies in South are not in use?
103 of the 106 water bodies (97%) were not in use when counted: dried up, silted, cut off from their catchment, polluted or built over. 40 had been encroached upon.
How do ponds help groundwater in South?
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 South running out?
In the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, South district pumped out 103% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year ("over-exploited").
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
- 3North West130 water bodies, 100% not in use84
- 4West77 water bodies, 71% not in use48
- 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