This article is based on the doctoral research claiming that higher community involvement leads to effective conservation of urban ponds and their catchments. Amidst rapid urbanization scenario country has lost many urban ponds and those that remain, faces increasing pressure due to agricultural land drainage, pollution and urban development. Communities residing around ponds are significant stakeholders in conservation process therefore the research involves study of theoretical underpinnings related to community participation, assessment of the status of urban ponds and their catchments, understanding participation process through identified indicators that eventually led to design of a framework for conservation of ponds and their catchments. Communities were surveyed from the three selected case study urban villages having ponds with an area ranging from 1-5 acres and statistical analysis was done to establish the relationship between community participation and conservation of ponds and their catchments. The study found that community participation depends upon gender, age, caste, distance of residence from pond, accommodation ownership, education, occupation and income group at various stages of conservation. The empirical finding revealed that higher community's involvement in monitoring leads to effective conservation. Moreover it emphasizes the need to identify an inviting platform for participation where all the stakeholders can formally engage to address the issues and report monitoring results to sustain conservation efforts. From policy perspective for effective participation, it stresses on the need to strengthen feedback systems by governing institutes to overcome implementation challenges.