Duo bringing Bengaluru back to former glory, one lake at a time

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: The water crisis in Bengaluru has put its citizens in a tough situation. People have reportedly struggled to fulfill their water needs, and the soaring mercury levels haven’t helped their cause.

Experts suggest that the encroachments of lakes and other water bodies had depleted the groundwater levels.

However, a couple of youths in Bengaluru have embarked on a mission to revive lakes, and maybe revive a little bit of hope.

Harsha Tej and Gurunandan Rao, founders of NGO ‘Hands on foundation,’ initially set out to revive small water bodies like ponds.

“We eventually started reviving lakes. However, there’s a lot more to do,” added Tej. The duo, according to Tej, hail from agricultural backgrounds and had similar goals in contributing to mother nature.

“We predicted that the city would face a water crisis, and we always wanted to do something that benefits nature,” In their aim to revive 100 lakes, Tej claimed that they’ve reached a respectable total.

Their process involves a feasibility study to restore the lake. “A check for silt and sewage entry into the water body will be checked, and the lakes will be filled with clean water collected from the rains,” he added.

Rejuvenating lakes help in improving the groundwater levels, and act as a platform for aquatic life. It also helps reduce the temperature. Tej and Rao, who had met at their previous workplaces, initially wanted to perform these acts as a post-work hobby.

“Eventually we wanted to set out, full time,” Tej added.

While their works so far might make Kempegowda, the founder of the city proud, the duo hope to inspire a lot more in contributing to revival of lakes. “The future looks slightly more hopeful,” Tej concluded.