In the summer of 2022, wildlife photographer Sharvan Patel witnessed a moment that would change hundreds of lives. Standing in Rajasthan's Tal Chappar Sanctuary, he watched blackbucks hesitate at a dried waterhole, their hooves sinking into dust instead of refreshing water. A mongoose scurried to investigate, only to find nothing but cracked earth. Rather than despair, Sharvan made a promise that would ripple across the desert: he would bring water back to Rajasthan's wildlife.

The turning point came during another sanctuary visit when Sharvan discovered a small, thoughtfully constructed pond called a khaili, designed specifically to collect rainwater. Forest guards shared an encouraging observation with him. Although animals initially avoided the unfamiliar structure, patience paid off. Gradually, hares, mongooses, peafowls, and eventually the cautious blackbucks all returned to drink from this lifeline. For Sharvan, this simple pond carried more significance than any photograph he'd ever captured.

Inspired and determined, Sharvan gathered a small group of friends the following summer to build their first khaili. Using local soil and cement to minimize seepage, they created a shallow pond and waited. Within days, camera traps revealed the beautiful truth: blackbucks were drinking, birds were circling overhead, and mongooses visited after dusk. The experiment had succeeded beyond their hopes.

When Sharvan shared footage of animals returning to the water online, the response was overwhelming. Messages flooded in from communities across Rajasthan, each carrying urgent pleas for help. "Come here. Animals are dying of thirst," they wrote. Sharvan knew he had found his calling.

Building ponds was only the beginning. The real challenge emerged during Rajasthan's brutal summer months from March to July, when natural water sources completely vanish. Water tankers became essential, with each one costing Rs 2,000 and traveling 20 kilometers to reach remote ponds. Rather than viewing this as an insurmountable obstacle, Sharvan saw an opportunity for community connection.

He launched a beautifully simple crowdfunding approach, asking supporters to contribute just Re 1 per day. The response demonstrated the power of collective action. Nearly 1,000 contributors joined the mission, pooling their resources to fund tankers, maintenance, and ongoing habitat care throughout the harshest months.

Today, more than 130 ponds dot Rajasthan's arid landscape, each one a testament to what compassion and community can achieve. These water sources serve a dual purpose: they provide essential hydration for wildlife while keeping blackbucks away from villages, reducing human-wildlife conflict. Birds and animals have returned to safer spaces, creating thriving pockets of life in the desert.

"Wildlife appears where there is water," Sharvan explains simply. His work proves that one person's promise, combined with community support, can transform an entire ecosystem. What began as a photographer's heartbreak has blossomed into a grassroots conservation movement, bringing hope to Rajasthan's wildlife one pond at a time.