Water bodies in India are facing degradation, marked by deterioration of water quality, declining water levels, and disappearance of wetlands. Rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to garbage dumping in waterbodies, coupled with agricultural activities, has led to degradation of waterbodies. Climate change and changing precipitation patterns, and rising temperatures are affecting the water cycle are further deteriorating ponds.

To address the issue, the CII Foundation launched a waterbody restoration initiative in 2023 in Chennai, successfully reviving four ponds. Building on this success, the Foundation has launched a new project in rural Gurugram to restore 10 waterbodies in collaboration with Gram Panchayats, aiming to enhance water management and environmental sustainability.