The Ujani dam is constructed on the river Bhima, one of the chief rivers in Pune district. The river collects treated and untreated sewage from upstream urban areas, industrial effluents and non-point run-offs from the agricultural fields growing irrigated cash crops. The water shows high values of biological oxygen demand and high Maximum Permissible Number counts. The dam is located in the rain-shadow region of the Sahyadris with rainfall less than 50 cm per annum.  The reservoir is a shallow water reservoir and treated as a wetland. The water level shows high fluctuations as its supply is dependent on the releasing of water upstream and demand for water in command area. The farmers utilize the exposed area of the submergence region for cultivation and grazing of livestock. Cultivation and Grazing on Bank has rendered the area barren and infested with weeds like Alternanthera. Weeds like Eichhornia and Ipomoea spread in the submergence area. The vegetation and habitats along the rivers and streams joining the reservoir are degraded.

Ecological Society took up this region to prepare a management plan for the Ujani reservoir that included reconciliation of the interests of wildlife and people. We undertook several ecological restoration measures over one year, which yielded the following results: 

• The pools recorded an increase in fish numbers.

• The grass growth and the rainwater puddles attracted grassland and wet meadow birds.

• The shallow water areas showed good growth of sedges like Cyperus and attracted marsh birds.

• The pools attracted surface feeding waterbirds like spot-billed ducks.

• It was observed, that during high water level the surface feeders dominated while during the low water level wet meadow birds dominated.

• During the project implementation of the project, the area experienced drought conditions. This led to the spread of Paspalum and the saplings introduced had to be watered by irrigation.