Tell-All
We asked: In newly built or even renovated houses, open spaces in front, back and side yards are all cemented these days, with a potted plant here and there for show. It is the same in apartment blocks. Do people not realise that if groundwater does not seep in, how will the water table be recharged? Should not some kuchcha ground be left?
Gone are the days when residential areas had ample open spaces where plants provided greenery and lawns offered recreational space. Over the past few decades, rapid urbanisation and expansion of cities—whether metropolitan, mid-sized, or small—have significantly changed the layout of living spaces. With the rise of vertical housing and high-density construction, open spaces have drastically reduced. The shrinking of such spaces is often linked to the increasing value of land, where every square foot is seen as a commercial opportunity rather than an ecological necessity. However, open spaces are not merely aesthetic elements. they play a vital role in sustaining the environment. Soil-covered land allows natural percolation of rainwater, which is essential for recharging the groundwater table. Plants, through their roots, stems and leaves, help in absorbing and channelising water into the aquifers. These green covers also serve as habitats for birds and local biodiversity. Unfortunately, in most urban developments—especially in cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and other metros—open spaces are increasingly being replaced with concrete structures and paved surfaces. This results in poor infiltration, causing groundwater levels to fall steadily. Even though regulations exist for maintaining open spaces in residential colonies, the focus on beautification and maintenance often leads to concretisation, leaving barely 5% of the area available for plantation or natural soil exposure. In a balanced natural system, groundwater withdrawal should ideally match groundwater recharge. But current conditions are quite the opposite—annual groundwater extraction reaches deep levels, while recharge occurs only in small quantities. When entire areas are paved, percolation stops, and the aquifers begin to deplete, eventually drying up completely. To address this critical situation, it is essential to raise awareness among construction companies, government bodies, developers and citizens. Urban planning must ensure that:
•At least 40–50% of the land area in residential or commercial layouts should be reserved as open soil-based space.
• Greenery, parks and plantations should be included in every development project
• Concretisation should be minimised and used only where necessary.
• Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems should be integrated into building plans.
This requires not only policy enforcement but also community participation. Protecting open spaces is not just an environmental issue but a social responsibility towards a sustainable future. If development continues to ignore natural systems, the resulting ecosystem imbalance will affect health, water scarcity, climate comfort and overall livability of cities. We must understand that development and nature are not opposing forces—they can and must coexist. By preserving open soil spaces, supporting plant life and enabling groundwater recharge, we contribute to a healthier environment and a sustainable ecosystem for future generations. In the current scenario, Indian cities are on the brink of water starvation and with the increasing population every year, the situation may become disastrous. In this light, we are of the firm view that, looking into the bizarre scenario, both the government as well as public should take cognisance of the situation and, in future planning of dwelling areas, appropriate open spaces should be left for groundwater recharge. -Namrata Singh, Department of Chemistry, and Dr Vibhuti Rai, Department of Geology, University of Lucknow
We have become so cemented in our thoughts that we just want to cement everything around us! Once upon a time, we would have mud houses or stone houses, which were so in sync with nature that we did not need to worry about recharging our water tables. But today, we don't like the soil; we have become so disconnected that we just want to destroy the nature around us. Our modernisation has become a curse for Mother Earth. These modern houses, which are concrete structures, have become prisons that keep nature away. In the race to build “modern” homes, we are paving over the very ground that sustains life. Newly constructed houses, renovated bungalows and even apartment complexes now feature concrete courtyards, driveways, and side yards, with perhaps a single potted palm or a row of manicured bonsai for decoration. The sight is uniform across cities: Grey expanses where once there was soil, grass, or even a modest patch of earth. This trend is not just an aesthetic choice; it is an environmental crisis in slow motion. Are people realising that, due to no backyards and potted plants kept on cemented floors, how will our water tables recharge? But I feel that sense is left far behind. The houses have no space where the water seeps into the ground; our sewer system is made of concrete, which does not allow any kind of water absorption. The water crisis in the cities is due to this insensitivity. The builders who build these apartments leave no space for water to seep in naturally. There are no pebbles laid or natural grounds left. Groundwater recharge depends on permeable surfaces. Rainwater must seep through soil to replenish aquifers—the underground reservoirs we draw from for drinking, irrigation, and industry. When every square foot is cemented, water runs off into drains, carrying pollutants to rivers or simply evaporating. Studies by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) show that in urban India, water tables are dropping by 1–3 metres annually in many cities. Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are already classified as “over-exploited” zones. Yet, we continue to seal the earth. A kuchcha (unpaved) patch is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Even a 20–30% permeable area in a plot can significantly aid infiltration. Simple solutions exist: Gravel pathways instead of concrete slabs; Use permeable pavers that allow water to pass through; Create rain gardens or small depressions planted with native species; Leave unpaved side strips for trees as roots help bind soil and facilitate percolation. In apartment complexes, common areas and setbacks can be left as grass or planted with ground cover. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is mandatory in many states, but without soil to absorb excess runoff, it remains half-effective. The irony is stark: we install RO systems because borewells run dry, while preventing the rain from refilling them. Municipal corporations mandate setbacks, but rarely enforce permeability. Builders prioritise parking space over percolation pits. Homeowners fear mud during monsoons, forgetting that a little dirt is the price of water security. We need awareness, not just regulation. Schools should teach children to dig recharge wells. Resident welfare associations must resist the “fully tiled” aesthetic. Architects can design “sponge plots” that look elegant yet function ecologically. Let us leave some earth bare—not out of nostalgia, but survival. A patch of kuchcha ground today is a full well tomorrow. -Preeti Goswami (Advocate, High Court, Nainital), International Para Lawn Bowl player, social Activist in Uttarakhand
In most of our newly built houses today, whether modest homes or grand bungalows, the open spaces in front, back and sides are covered with cement, tiles or interlocking pavers. Even in apartment complexes, one sees the same pattern, every inch of ground neatly sealed under concrete, with just a few potted plants placed here and there for decoration. It looks clean, modern and low-maintenance, but in the process, we are unknowingly choking the earth beneath our feet. We often forget that the ground is not just something to walk upon or build over. It is a living system that breathes, absorbs and sustains life. When we cover every bit of open space with cement, we block the natural process of groundwater recharge. Rainwater that should have seeped into the soil to replenish underground aquifers now runs off into drains, collecting dust, plastic, and oil on its way to the nearest sewer. We are literally watching our groundwater reserves vanish drop by drop, and yet we continue to call it “development.” In the past, Indian homes always had some open, unpaved space. The courtyard or aangan was not only the heart of the home but also a vital ecological feature. Rainwater would fall on the open earth, soak in, and slowly percolate down to recharge wells and handpumps. Even small homes had patches of soil where trees or vegetables grew and birds and insects found their space. Villages had ponds and tanks that stored rainwater, allowing it to seep into the ground. But the modern mindset seems to believe that cement equals progress and soil equals dirt. We sweep away the soil and along with it, our water security. Urbanisation has made this problem worse. Cities are expanding at a rapid pace, swallowing open fields, ponds and wetlands. In place of these natural water-absorbing areas, we now have vast stretches of concrete roads, parking lots and buildings. When heavy rain comes, there is nowhere for the water to go except into drains that overflow within minutes. Once rare flooding has become an annual event in many Indian cities. Ironically, a few months later, the same cities face acute water scarcity. It is a strange paradox, floods in monsoon and drought in summer, all because we have disrupted the natural water cycle. If we want to solve this, the first and simplest step begins right at home. Every house, whether new or renovated, should consciously leave a portion of its open space as kuchcha ground, uncovered soil where rainwater can soak in. Even a small area makes a difference. A 10ft x 10ft patch of open soil can absorb thousands of litres of rainwater in a single season. Multiply that by hundreds of houses in a locality, and the cumulative impact becomes significant. It is a small act of responsibility that can help restore balance to the environment. Leaving the kuchcha ground also has many other benefits. It helps keep the surroundings cooler. Anyone who walks barefoot on a cemented courtyard in summer knows how scorching it becomes. In contrast, the soil stays much cooler and adds moisture to the air. Plants and trees thrive better in natural ground than in pots. They spread roots freely, draw nutrients from the earth and help improve the micro-climate around the house. The presence of living soil also supports earthworms and insects that enrich the ecosystem. When we pave over everything, we not only lose groundwater but also drive away countless tiny creatures that silently maintain the health of our environment. Some people argue that leaving kuchcha space makes cleaning difficult or invites mud and mosquitoes. But these are excuses, not real problems. A simple layer of grass or ground-cover plants can prevent mud splashes. Proper grading and drains can ensure that water does not stagnate. On the other hand, the long-term cost of sealing the soil is far greater, including cracked walls from subsidence, falling borewell levels and the ever-increasing dependence on water tankers. Municipal bodies and housing societies, too, should take this seriously. Building bylaws should require that a certain percentage of open area in every plot remain unpaved. Rainwater harvesting pits are useful, but they cannot substitute for natural percolation through open soil. We should also encourage the revival of small community ponds and recharge wells in parks and vacant plots. Rainwater that falls on one’s own premises should ideally stay there and sink into the earth. The problem is not just technical but also cultural. Somewhere along the line, we began to equate neatness with cement and disorder with soil. We admire gleaming tiles and manicured lawns, but forget that a patch of open earth with a few trees is far more valuable. Our grandparents knew the worth of soil and water far better than we do with all our gadgets and modern comforts. They respected the natural cycles of the seasons, while we have tried to conquer them, and the result is environmental imbalance. If we continue to suffocate the ground, the coming generations will face a serious crisis. No amount of bottled water or imported technology will save us if the aquifers beneath our cities run dry. It is time to rethink what kind of “development” we truly want. A beautiful home does not shine with tiles, but one that lives in harmony with nature. So, in my view, every house, new or renovated, must leave some kuchcha ground for the recharge of the water table. Let the rainwater flow naturally into the soil. Let the trees grow in the earth, not in pots alone. Let the earth breathe again. It is a small gesture of wisdom and gratitude to the planet that sustains us. Development should not mean sealing nature under concrete; it should mean learning to coexist with it. The future of our water, our cities, and our children depends on that simple patch of open soil we choose to preserve today. -H N SINGH, Lions International Faculty, SPHEEHA Member, naturalist, HAM Radio Licensee, trekker & mountaineer
The cementing of front, back, and side yards, as well as common areas in apartment blocks, creates a hard, non-porous barrier that prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground (infiltration). Rainwater that falls on cemented surfaces cannot percolate down through the soil to replenish the underground water reservoirs. This is the primary mechanism for natural groundwater recharge. Instead of seeping in, the water flows rapidly across the surface into storm drains or rivers. This excess runoff contributes to urban flooding and waterlogging during heavy rain. Over time, if extraction (pumping water from borewells) continues without adequate natural recharge, the water table drops significantly, leading to groundwater depletion, which is a major environmental crisis in many urban centres. The necessity of kuchcha (unpaved, permeable) ground is vital because the soil and subsoil layers act as a natural filter and sponge for rainwater. Unpaved ground allows rainwater to filter through the soil and slowly percolate down, directly replenishing the underground water table. The soil naturally filters out many pollutants and debris carried by the surface water before it reaches the deeper aquifer. Natural ground supports vegetation, which, in turn, helps hold the soil and promotes infiltration through the root system. -Manoj Kumar Chaturvedi, bank employee and animal activist, Lucknow, UP
As modern homes turn every inch of open space into cement, the earth beneath us gasps for breath! Step into any newly built house today, and you will notice a curious sameness. The front lawn is a neat stretch of grey/white cement. The driveway and backyard are tiled or paved, leaving no trace of open earth. In high-rise apartment blocks, too, the ground between the buildings is often a continuous sheet of concrete, broken only by a few decorative pots. Greenery is reduced to a showpiece — something to look at, not to live with. And whatever greenery is there is of an ornamental kind, which means more upkeep and more water. Usually, palm trees, crotons, coleus, canna lily, dieffenbachia, etc. abound. These plants are shallow-rooted, do not improve soil or support birds and insects. Similarly, trees like Ashoka, Silver Oak, Bottlebrush or Bougainvillaea give little shade or recharge groundwater or support birds and insects. In contrast, native trees like neem, amaltas, Jamun, Peepal, Arjun, or Gulmohar and native flowering shrubs like hibiscus, lantana (wild kind), or plumbago support birds, butterflies and soil health far better. But if we look around, we will have a hard time finding these trees and plants! It is easy to understand why this has happened. Cemented spaces look clean, easy to maintain, and modern. They don’t get muddy in the rain or dusty in the summer. But what seems like comfort on the surface hides a deeper problem beneath — quite literally. When every open space is sealed off, the rainwater has nowhere to go. It flows into drains, collects in puddles and finally disappears into the city’s sewage system. It never gets the chance to seep into the soil below. That simple act of water soaking into the ground is what keeps the planet’s veins alive. It recharges underground aquifers — the hidden reservoirs that supply our wells, handpumps, and borewells. Without this slow, steady replenishment, the water table keeps dropping. We complain that our borewells have dried up or that we have to dig deeper each year, but rarely do we connect this crisis to the loss of open, absorbent land right around our homes. Nature had designed a perfect balance. Rain that falls from the sky partly evaporates, partly runs off into rivers and partly percolates into the earth to be stored for the future. When we cover every inch of soil with concrete, we break this cycle. The earth loses its sponge-like quality; the rain loses its purpose. And the result is both drought and flood — not enough water underground and too much on the surface. Shouldn’t we pause and rethink what we are doing to our immediate surroundings? Must every courtyard and pathway be paved? What harm would there be in leaving even a small patch of kuchcha ground — a corner where rain can sink in, where the soil can breathe, where a tree can find root? It’s not only about water. A living patch of earth keeps the air cooler, absorbs heat during the day and releases moisture at night. It supports worms, insects and tiny organisms that enrich the soil. It becomes a micro-world of life beneath our feet — unseen, yet essential. Perhaps it is time to bring back a bit of humility into our building habits and to realise that beauty need not come from tiles and polish alone. There is a quiet beauty in the smell of wet earth and in a small puddle that disappears overnight as the ground welcomes it. If each of us chose to leave even a little part of our homes unpaved, we would be doing more than saving water. We would be giving back to the land a small right it always had — the right to breathe. -Manjul Pande Parvez, retired educationist
Groundwater is the source of a large part of the world’s usable fresh water for drinking, agriculture and industry. It is a crucial part of the water cycle that is naturally replenished by rain or melting snow that percolates down through the soil and can be used for drinking water, agriculture and industries. Groundwater also plays a critical role in supporting ecosystems by maintaining river, lake and wetland levels. It is often the most reliable and cost-effective water source, especially in areas with limited surface water, and is naturally filtered by the earth, making it a high-quality source. Global groundwater supplies are under increasing pressure. With the boom in unplanned infrastructure, especially where concretisation stops groundwater flow into the soil by creating an impermeable barrier or soil sealing effect. Traditional concrete is a dense and highly impermeable material designed to resist water penetration, diverting surface water (like rain and runoff) away from the ground and into drainage systems, thus causing wastage through surface runoffs. Most of the time, DPCs and waterproofing membranes in addition further minimise water absorption and penetration into the ground. The impact of the depletion of groundwater is gradual but fatal. Groundwater levels have significantly decreased over the decades, and surface run-offs overwhelm municipal drainage, leading to frequent and severe urban flooding and potential water crises in cities. India’s groundwater crisis has reached an alarming tipping point. A recent study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that the land beneath five of the country's largest cities is literally sinking, a phenomenon known as land subsidence, primarily driven by excessive groundwater extraction. Urban hydrogeology has been a relatively young science. The environmental impacts and long-term costs were not appreciated until much later, so the focus on immediate infrastructure needs over long-term environmental impacts prompted city planners to put this consideration for keeping open spaces around infrastructure on the back burner. Rapid, unplanned urbanisation, inadequate regulations, lack of proactive roles from experts have all resulted in the long-term depletion of groundwater levels. However, there is a growing recognition that groundwater must form an integral part of the urban planning process for environmental sustainability. Some cities and urban plans are now starting to adopt more integrated and water-sensitive approaches to manage these challenges. In recent times, however, a growing concern over this issue has arisen. Alternative specialised material called porous (or pervious) concrete has been developed, which allows water to pass through the ground. To ensure water table recharge in urban areas, a combination of rainwater harvesting systems, the use of permeable surfaces and the development of dedicated recharge structures should be implemented to capture and infiltrate surface runoff that is otherwise lost due to extensive concretisation. Actions can be taken on an individual as well as a collective level. Collecting rainwater from rooftops and directing it into recharge structures or storage tanks, cleaning and converting existing dry wells into recharge points are some of them. At the city level, ASR ( Aquifer Storage and Recovery) must be implemented strongly. Permissions for new infrastructure should be given only if permeable materials are used for footpaths, open spaces and parking areas. A high percentage of open, uncemented space must be a criterion for every new structure. The number of parks, green belts and open natural areas should be restored as their soil and vegetation cover naturally enhance infiltration rates. Cities must have very efficient stormwater management systems. Old systems should be integrated with new systems to make the network stronger. It would be ideal to create shallow depressions or percolation tanks (basins) in suitable open areas to impound surface water runoff, allowing it to slowly infiltrate into the ground. Implementation of policies that mandate rainwater harvesting in all new large residential, commercial and institutional complexes, along with regular monitoring and maintenance of these systems, is essential. Communities should be roped in, and awareness campaigns should be run to encourage widespread participation in individual and community-based recharge projects. -Shakuntala Majumdar, President, Thane CPCA
Cement is one of the greatest inventions by man if used appropriately. However, it is quite unfortunate to see such an invention being misused and exploited. Building a new house is like living a dream. So is renovating or modifying a house for better living conditions. But if we go back in time, we will find that earlier, the construction of houses and buildings was done beautifully, keeping our basic requirements in mind. The earth on which we build our homes is a living planet just like us. And it has its own set of needs and requirements to maintain itself for the survival and well-being of mankind as well as other species, which are equally very important for maintaining ecological balance. With the latest trends of construction that have not just limited themselves to developed cities but have speedily reached towns and even villages, there is rampant use of cement. It is very important to know that the earth breathes, eats, drinks and releases waste just like us in its own unique ways, but we are choking its system, which in turn is choking ours. When we construct factories, houses, roads, etc., we are simply making it so artificial that it has blocked our natural water table recharging systems, because of which the groundwater is not being recharged and instead ends up in the sea through drains. It is not just the water but also many natural and manmade pollutants supposed to be naturally filtered by entering the different levels in the ground, which are now polluting the living oceans. This effect has a direct and indirect impact on humans as well as the marine ecosystems. Our needs are natural, but we go for the artificial. Food grows on real plants and trees, which need natural soil and water. Just imagine when we cement all the surfaces, even though not required, we are just choking the planet. Leaving open ground would help in maintaining the natural balance of groundwater recharge. Uncontrolled and excessive concretisation is one of the major contributors to global warming and climate change, and this is the best generation to witness the worst effects of the same. Non-cemented open spaces are the need of the hour and should be included in every development plan, right from mega cities like Mumbai to developing towns and villages. Mumbai, being a coastal city, has seen a drastic and extreme change in its underground water table and levels of other natural resources over the years, and therefore, we can imagine what the situation will be in other places that are running a blind race with no finish line. Awareness, education and policy on open spaces need to be taken up more seriously, as with passing time, we are only adding to the problem. -Adv. Pawan Satyaprakash Sharma, founder & president –RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare). The writer has been actively involved in wildlife conservation and environmental protection activities and initiatives at individual and organisational levels. He has been a part of several government initiatives and policy-making tasks supporting wildlife conservation and animal protection. The views expressed are personal.
Topic of the month: Monkey menace plagues many cities, with a lot of people getting injured and even dying in accidents. Yet no one thinks about their rehabilitation and government departments shelve responsibility. What do you think should be done so that both simians and humans live in their spaces peacefully? You may send your views (either in Hindi or English) in not more than 800 words along with your latest pic to [email protected].
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