Radhakripa India

Our Pilot Project

Kajal Kunda & Karela Van

Kajal Kunda / Karela Van

Description

Kajal Kunda Top View

Size & Extent

  • Kunda (pond):

    • Summer water spread: ~1,610 m²

    • Post-monsoon water spread: ~3,800 m²

    • Perimeter:

      • Summer: ~158 m

      • Post-monsoon: ~256 m

    • Average depth (current):

      • Summer: ~0.5–0.7 m

      • Post-monsoon: ~1.0–1.5 m

  • Surrounding forest area:

    • Approximately 3.5 acres

    • Semi-arid landscape

Landscape & Setting

  • Forest dominated by Vilayati Keekar (Prosopis juliflora)

  • Sparse native vegetation

  • Low soil moisture retention

  • High surface runoff during monsoon

  • Contributes sediments and nutrients to the pond

Hydrology & Use

  • Rain-fed pond, no permanent wastewater inflow

  • Filled by:

    • Direct rainfall

    • Surface runoff

    • Seasonal nala inflow during monsoon

  • Rarely dries completely but shrinks sharply in summer

  • Water used by local farmers for irrigation

  • Pond banks used for cow dung patty preparation

Water Quality Status

  • pH: 7.9 (slightly alkaline)

  • BOD: 12.8 mg/L (high organic pollution)

  • COD: 48 mg/L (elevated organic load)

  • TSS: 42 mg/L (sediment and organic matter)

  • TDS: 1,988 mg/L (very high dissolved solids)

Key Issues

  • High organic pollution from animal waste and decaying biomass

  • Nutrient inflow from agricultural runoff during rains

  • Severe siltation, reducing depth and storage capacity

  • Unstabilized banks, leading to erosion

  • High dissolved salts, concentrated during summer evaporation

  • Poor ecological health, with absence of fish

  • Degraded catchment forest, dominated by invasive species

Overall Condition

  • Shallow, silted, rain-fed pond with strong seasonal variability

  • Ecologically stressed and progressively losing water-holding capacity

  • Surrounded by degraded semi-arid forest contributing to runoff and sediment load

Two Phases

We want to rejuvenate the kunda, replenish the forrest, educate the locals, protect the animal habitats, and welcome the visitors. 

Phase 1

Rejuvenation of Kajal Kunda & Forest

Clean Water & Green Diversity

Community Center

Education & Food For Locals

Phase 2

Heritage Museum

Story Telling and
Heritage Preservation

Animal Habitat

Support Wildlife, Fishes and Birds

Our Statement

Radhakripa Nandagrama Charitable Trust proposes an integrated environmental restoration and community development project in Nandagaon, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the rejuvenation of a 5-acre degraded sacred landscape, including a 1.5-acre traditional Kunda and 3.5 acres of surrounding land. Crucially, the Trust recognizes that physical rejuvenation alone will not endure. Unless the Kunda and forest are evolved into a vibrant center for education that holds tangible relevance for locals and visitors, these heritage sites risk falling back into cycles of exploitation and neglect. Consequently, this project adopts a holistic approach, weaving together waterbody rejuvenation, habitat restoration, and community education to foster long-term stewardship.

Planned Interventions & Quantified Impact

  • Waterbody Rejuvenation
  • 1.5 acres of Kunda restored
  • 10–15 million liters of clean surface water revived annually
  • 100% removal of solid, organic, and construction waste
  • Reintroduction of 3–5 native fish species
  • Improved groundwater recharge benefiting 150–250 residents
  • Afforestation & Habitat Restoration
  • 3.5 acres Forest regenerated
  • Removal/control of 95% invasive Vilayati Keekar
  • Plantation of 1,200–1,500 native trees and shrubs
  • Increase in green cover from currently 10% to 70%
  • Habitat support for 30–50 bird species pollinators, and small fauna

Biodiversity & Animal Habitat

  • Creation of integrated aquatic–terrestrial habitats
  • Revival of fish populations and bird nesting zones
  • Ethical, non-intrusive conservation practices
  • Long-term biodiversity stabilization of the site

Community Education & Youth Employability

  • Establishment of a Community Education & Skill Development Center onsite to integrate heritage relevance with modern skills.
  • 150–200 rural youth trained annually in : English and basic French
  • Communication and employability skills

Focus on youth and women from economically weaker sections

  • Community Awareness & Stewardship
  • 500+ villagers sensitized annually on water and biodiversity conservation
  • Formation of local eco-steward groups to ensure the site remains a protected community asset rather than a neglected resource.

Partnerships & Implementation Strength

The project is led by Radhakripa Nandagrama Charitable Trust, with international collaboration from:

Radhakripa Mission (France)

community engagement and cultural design

Goloka Sanctuary (USA)

animal welfare and habitat restoration expertise

CSR Alignment & Sustainability

Aligned with Schedule VII: environmental sustainability, conservation of natural resources, rural development, education, and protection of flora and fauna.
Long-term sustainability is ensured by transforming the site into a center of learning, creating community ownership, and employing low-maintenance ecological design.

Our Budget

FACET

PRICE

Kunda Rejuvenation & Purification

90-110 lakh

Temple & Community Center

200 lakh

Heritage Museum

250 lakh

Animal Sanctuary

20 lakh

Our Commitment

Long Term Stewardship

Perpetual Promise

Best Design
Practices

French Museums
are world famous

Inspire Others
through Our Experience

We will create a
model project

Full Transparency to Govt. & Public

Quarterly Income/Expense & Performance reports