Under its CSR, the bank has undertaken lake and pond rejuvenation initiatives aimed at strengthening water security, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting community ecosystems.
CHENNAI (India CSR): AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest Small Finance Bank and the first in over a decade to receive in‑principle approval to transition into a Universal Bank, today announced, on the occasion of World Water Day, the launch of two major urban waterbody restoration initiatives in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Aligned with this year’s World Water Day theme, “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” AU SFB is reinforcing its long‑term commitment to climate adaptation and sustainable water management through locally anchored, high‑impact interventions.
The first intervention focuses on Medavakkam Lake, a 199.1‑acre urban lake with a 144.1‑acre water spread. AU SFB will undertake desilting, waste removal, invasive vegetation management, development of a blue–green ecological buffer and fencing of vulnerable stretches to prevent encroachment, improving ecological integrity and long‑term water storage potential.
Parallelly, the Bank will restore the 2‑acre Pazhathotta Pond in Semmancheri along the OMR corridor. The restoration will involve desilting, embankment strengthening, inlet–outlet regulation, native species plantation, biodiversity enhancement measures, and protective fencing to stabilise the pond and its surrounding ecosystem.
Together, these interventions aim to significantly improve groundwater recharge, enhance flood moderation, and rebuild ecological balance in fast‑developing and climate‑sensitive micro‑catchments, contributing to a more resilient urban water system for Chennai.
Once restored fully, the two projects together are expected to enable approximately ~3,00,000 KL of annual groundwater recharge, benefit ~10,000 households, and support ~1,500 native saplings, significantly strengthening flood moderation and urban climate resilience in Chennai.
Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, said, “In Chennai, rapid urban growth has made water scarcity a daily challenge for communities. By restoring lakes and ponds through the AU Green Project, we are helping secure reliable water sources, support biodiversity, and build resilience against climate risks. Our commitment is to strengthen Chennai’s water resilience and enhance the well-being of its people, reflecting our responsibility to society and our vision for a sustainable city.”
AU SFB’s CSR strategy continues to prioritise sustainable initiatives across environmental sustainability, livelihood, education, healthcare and community development. The AU Green Project remains a key pillar of the Bank’s FY 2025–26 vision, with a strong focus on water conservation, ecosystem restoration, and local climate adaptation in alignment with India’s broader sustainability priorities.
(India CSR)
