Till very recently, the village of Khaspurin Meerut, Uttar Pradesh had a nearly non-existent pond by the same name. Three decades ago, the water body was the community’s resource for everyday purposes like bathing and washing clothes.

According to Groundwater Department officials in Meerut, water levels had been receding annually by 68cm. A drop in precipitation levels in the past decade and the frequent dumping of household waste into the pond ended up worsening the situation for the villagers.

On the occasion of World Water Day 2015, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCBPL), a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in India,took on the initiative of reviving the Khaspur pond.

From the first day, the residents were actively participating in the project so as to inculcate the adoption of better water management and water recharge practices into their daily lives. HCCBPL teamed up with two NGOs -Charities Aid Foundation of India and Janhit Foundation.

The NGOs then formed a committee of villagers, which has been responsible for the pond's maintenance, ever since. Appreciating the same, one of the committee members conveyed how reviving the pond makes sense only if the villagers collectively ensure its maintenance. To check groundwater depletion, several steps including planting dry grass at the pond embankment and trees around the pond, were taken. The project also involved desilting and dewatering of the pond.

For Hindustan Coca-Cola, implementing water replenishment projects has been a major focus area. What has made the Khaspur pond revival initiative a bigger success is the fact that villagers have shouldered the responsibility of conserving water and taken it upon themselves to preserve their precious resource.