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The Mansagar Lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and the Kaikondrahalli Lake in Bengaluru, Karnataka, are two examples of successful lake restoration projects in India. Both lakes were once polluted and neglected, but they have now been revived and are now thriving ecosystems.
Mansagar Lake
The Mansagar Lake is a 300-acre lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The lake fell into disrepair in the 1980s due to pollution and neglect. In 2003, the Government of Rajasthan partnered with the Jal Mahal Resorts Pvt. Ltd. (JMRPL) to restore the Mansagar Lake. The JMRPL is a public-private partnership (PPP) company that was specifically created for the purpose of restoring the lake.
The JMRPL implemented a comprehensive restoration plan that included the following components:
- Diversion of polluted water from the lake
- Construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP)
- Dredging of the lake
- Planting of trees and shrubs around the lake
- Development of recreational facilities around the lake
Kaikondrahalli Lake
The Kaikondrahalli Lake is a 48-acre lake in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It was built in the 16th century and was once a popular source of drinking water for the city. However, the lake became polluted in the 1970s due to sewage discharge and encroachments.
In 2009, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) took over the management of the Kaikondrahalli Lake. The BBMP implemented a community-driven restoration plan that involved the following components:
- Community awareness and mobilization
- Clean-up of the lake
- Construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP)
- Planting of trees and shrubs around the lake
- Development of recreational facilities around the lake
Lessons Learned
The successful restoration of the Mansagar Lake and the Kaikondrahalli Lake demonstrates that lake restoration is possible in India. However, it is important to note that both projects were successful because they were well-planned and implemented with the participation of key stakeholders.
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