KOLKATA: There was no water in the pond at Bediapara in south Dum Dum of Kolkata. Builders had even planned to fill the pond for constructing residential flats.Now, a year later, the pond has not only been renovated and saved from the land sharks but has also become a source of income for the downtrodden residents of the area.According to Bediapara residents, this was possible due to continuous and serious efforts of local councillor Gopa Pandey "Since the pond had dried up, they (land sharks) had planned to build residential complex after filling it up. We informed Gopa ji as soon as we came to know about the evil designs of land promoters," Mantu Mondal, a local resident, said.Gopa then called a meeting in Feburary and a decision to renovate the pond was taken after due consent from residents.Gopa Pandey, a councillor of ward 11, allocated Rs 1,22,000 from her constituency development fund and the pond was renovated with the help of locals. She also gave the responsibility of maintaining pond to the local club and residents' welfare committee."Promoters were trying to fill the pond but we renovated it. We also started fish cultivation in the pond so that it could also be a source of income for the poor of the locality," Pandey said.Last week, the income from the pond was distributed to 32 poor elderlies and 26 needy students, she said.Soon, fishing will also be taken up in the pond, she said.