In an era dominated by rapid urbanisation and shrinking natural resources, a young engineer from Greater Noida has emerged as a powerful symbol of grassroots environmental action. Popularly known as ‘Pondman’, Ramveer Tanwar has dedicated his life to reviving India’s dying ponds and restoring the country’s traditional water systems — one water body at a time.
Born and raised in Dadha village in Greater Noida, Ramveer Tanwar completed his BTech in 2023. Instead of choosing a corporate career, he chose a far more challenging path — saving ponds that were disappearing due to encroachment, pollution and neglect.
From Village Concern to National Mission
The journey began when Ramveer noticed that ponds in his village were turning into dumping grounds and construction sites. What once served as vital sources of water for farming, cattle and groundwater recharge had almost vanished. Instead of complaining, he decided to act.
Starting with a single pond, Ramveer mobilised local villagers, students and volunteers. He cleaned garbage, removed encroachments, strengthened embankments and restored natural water flow. Slowly, the pond came back to life.
Encouraged by this success, he expanded his work to neighbouring villages and districts. Today, more than 50 ponds across Uttar Pradesh and nearby regions have been revived under his leadership.
Recognition from the Highest Offices
Ramveer’s work soon caught national attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, calling his efforts an inspiration for the country. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also honoured him for his contribution to water conservation.
His work is now seen as a model for sustainable water management at the community level.
More Than Cleaning Ponds — Creating Awareness
What sets Ramveer apart is that he is not only restoring ponds physically, but also changing mindsets. He conducts awareness drives in villages and schools, teaching people about:
◆Rainwater harvesting
◆Groundwater recharge
◆Protection of traditional water bodies
◆Community participation in conservation
According to Ramveer, ponds are not just water storage structures — they are the backbone of rural life and ecological balance.
“Saving ponds means saving agriculture, drinking water and future generations,” he often says.
A Youth Icon in the Fight Against Water Crisis
At a time when India faces growing water scarcity and climate challenges, Ramveer Tanwar’s work stands out as a practical solution driven by people, not policies alone. His initiative proves that meaningful change does not always require massive funding — it requires commitment, local participation and persistence.
Urban planners and environmentalists now cite his model as an effective way to revive traditional water system without heavy infrastructure.
The Road Ahead
Ramveer plans to expand his work across more states, create training modules for volunteers and collaborate with government bodies to scale up pond revival projects. His long-term goal is to make pond conservation a people’s movement.
In a country struggling with drying rivers and falling groundwater levels, ‘Pondman’ Ramveer Tanwar is quietly building India’s water security — pond by pond, village by village.
