Urban water bodies in Vidarbha have always been central to both community life and city planning. While large lakes often attract more attention, smaller ponds, locally known as talao or talav, carry equal importance in shaping the social and ecological balance of towns.

These ponds once served as vital sources of drinking water, supported fisheries, provided recreational spaces, and formed the cultural core of neighbourhoods. Over time, many of them have faced challenges such as encroachment, pollution, and neglect, yet they continue to hold historical, civic, and environmental relevance.

Their stories reflect both the region’s traditions and its struggles with urbanisation. Documenting their details also shows how Vidarbha’s localities developed around modest water structures that remain significant landmarks today.

1. Lendi Talao, Nagpur

Lendi Talao is among the oldest neighbourhood ponds in Nagpur and continues to feature in civic discussions about water conservation. Historical records show it spread over approximately 29 acres, but current redevelopment proposals under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme have limited the sanctioned treatment area to around 7 acres. This discrepancy has raised concerns among conservationists and residents about the potential loss of a large portion of the water body. Official reports confirm that rejuvenation plans were approved in 2022 with a detailed project report submitted, yet progress has been slow.

Encroachments on its periphery have further complicated the restoration process, leaving parts of the pond neglected. Local news coverage describes the pond as facing a reduction in scale rather than full restoration, which highlights the administrative and planning challenges that often surround such heritage water bodies. Lendi Talao remains a point of civic interest as both its survival and size are at stake due to official planning choices.

2. Naik Talao, Nagpur

Naik Talao, located near Budhwari in the old quarters of Nagpur, is another long-standing urban pond that has undergone several phases of attention and neglect. Civic authorities enlisted the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to prepare a revival plan for the pond. The project included desilting, deepening, and introducing a phytorid-based sewage treatment plant, with an estimated budget of ₹3.83 crore and additional operational costs. Work officially began around 2020, but subsequent reports highlighted delays, weed infestation, and incomplete implementation. In 2025, municipal records noted a fresh push with Phase-1 of the rejuvenation work, which involved cleaning and structural strengthening.

Despite these initiatives, residents have expressed concerns over recurring neglect, particularly the reappearance of water hyacinth and silt deposits. The pond exemplifies the difficulties of maintaining smaller urban water bodies, especially when long-term care and monitoring are inconsistent. Naik Talao continues to be part of Nagpur’s pond network that requires active upkeep for sustained ecological and civic benefit.

3. Chatri Talao, Amravati

Chatri Talao in Amravati is a smaller yet historically significant pond. Built in 1888, it was designed to harness the natural spring of the Kali Nadi to supply drinking water to the city. Over the decades, its role as a water source declined with the introduction of modern supply systems, but the talao remains a recognised heritage point. Today, it functions as a recreational site and continues to attract visitors from the city and nearby areas. Tourism listings note it as a modest picnic spot, reflecting its integration into contemporary city life beyond its original utilitarian purpose.

Chatri Talao demonstrates how smaller ponds transitioned from critical urban lifelines to spaces of heritage and leisure. It still carries its nineteenth-century origins in civic memory, marking Amravati’s attempts at organised water management during the late colonial period. The pond’s continued recognition illustrates how such structures retain value even when their practical roles change.

4. Khamb Talav, Bhandara

Khamb Talav is a prominent pond in Bhandara, known today as a local landmark and a civic reference point. The area around the pond is officially identified as “Khamb Talao Square,” underscoring its embeddedness in the town’s geography. Public records and civic announcements document ongoing redevelopment activities in its vicinity, including events such as the installation of a 51-foot Ram statue in 2024 at the pond precinct. The pond forms part of Bhandara’s wider tank network, as the district historically contained thousands of man-made water bodies used for fisheries, irrigation, and daily needs. While detailed historical records of Khamb Talav’s origin remain limited, its continued presence as a central point in the town demonstrates the endurance of these smaller structures as civic anchors.

In modern times, Khamb Talav continues to be associated with community events, redevelopment projects, and municipal planning initiatives. Its identity as a long-standing town pond is maintained even as the surroundings undergo urban change.

Ponds such as Lendi Talao, Naik Talao, Chatri Talao, and Khamb Talav highlight the layered story of Vidarbha’s urban development. These water bodies began as practical sources for drinking water or local use, yet their roles have shifted in response to changing needs and pressures of modern growth. Civic records and news coverage reveal both attempts at rejuvenation and repeated struggles against neglect, siltation, or encroachment.

Despite these challenges, they continue to define neighbourhood identity, serving as reference points in civic discourse and daily life. Their significance lies not just in their historic origins but also in their continued relevance to urban planning and cultural life. Recording their stories ensures these ponds remain visible in the region’s narrative, showing how even modest water structures can represent continuity and transformation within Vidarbha’s cities.