Two decades of successful drive for protection of Khadakwasala reservoir

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s ideal mission, undertaken with the cooperation and participation of citizens, creating awareness and promoting environmental protection and conservation

MLA Bhimrao Anna Tapkir inaugurating the water reservoir protection drive

Activists forming a human chain around the reservoir

🌊🚩 24 Years of Resolute Environmental Protection!

For 23 continuous years, @HinduJagrutiOrg has led the Khadakwasla Reservoir Protection Campaign with unwavering dedication. Now in its 24th year, this people-powered movement continues to inspire

Inaugurated this year by BJP… pic.twitter.com/8pm2DmloN0

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 3, 2026

Dignitaries participating in the Khadakwasala drive (from left): Mr Krushnaji Patil, Mr Sachin Ghule, Mr Parag Gokhale, MLA Bhimrao Anna Tapkir, Municipal Councillor Sanjay Ghule, Senior Police Inspector Atul Bhos, and Mr Sarang Navale

Pune, 3 March – For the past 23 years, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has been undertaking a drive to protect the Khadakwasala water reservoir during the Holi festival. Every year, local residents of Khadakwasala, along with socially conscious citizens from Pune, have been consistently carrying out this inspiring mission to safeguard the water reservoir, dam and surrounding areas. This year marks the 24th year of the drive. BJP MLA Bhimrao Anna Tapkir inaugurated the drive by breaking a coconut.

HJS seekers, with the cooperation of local residents and the local administration, carry out this drive to preserve the sanctity of the reservoir on the days of Dhulivandan and Rang Panchami. They form a human chain around the water reservoir. The drive has been successfully conducted every year. Not a single person has entered the lake since the drive began. Due to the determination to protect nature, create awareness and ensure spontaneous participation of activists, this initiative has become an ideal example for society.

More than 200 devout volunteers from Pune and nearby areas held banners carrying relevant messages. They formed a human chain around the Khadakwasala water reservoir from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Devout Hindus from Pargaon, Daund, Saswad, Talegaon, Bhor, Manjari and Pune city participated in the drive.

Dignitaries in attendance

BJP Khadakwasala constituency MLA Bhimrao Anna Tapkir; Pune Municipal Corporation BJP councillor Mrs Dhanashree Dattatrey Kolhe; BJP OBC Morcha Maharashtra State Secretary Mr Dattatrey Kolhe; BJP Yuva Morcha former Khadakwasala constituency President Mr Sarang Navale; Senior Police Inspector Atul Bhos of Nanded City Police Station, and others.

Twenty four years of relentless commitment to protect Khadakwasla from water pollution & illegal activities!

Over 200 dedicated citizens from #Pune and surrounding areas, along with activists of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, formed a resolute human chain around #Khadakwasla… pic.twitter.com/tHABrqZqao

— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) March 3, 2026

Special cooperation

Mr Shrikant Shetty of Shri Radhakrishna Pure Veg; Mr Kamalesh Singh Rajpurohit of Annapurna Mess; Mrs Nirmala Phadnis; Mr Nikhil Paygude; Mr Umesh Gore; and Mr Yashawant Bapu Laygude

How the drive started in 2003

The true purpose of celebrating religious festivals has gradually diminished due to a lack of Dharmashikshan. On the days of Dhulivandan and Rang Panchami, people used to visit the Khadakwasala reservoir for bathing after playing with chemical colours. As this reservoir supplies water to Pune city, it was getting contaminated. Realising this issue and to protect a vital natural resource like water, HJS started this drive in 2003.