NeTRA and Rotary organize Lakeathon 2017 to rejuvenate Bengaluru’s Doddanekundi Lake

Jitendra Chaddah, Senior Director, Strategic Relations and Operations of Intel India launching the  greening project

India CSR News Network

BANGALORE: Our forefathers built tanks and irrigation wells interlinking them ensuring no rain water is wasted. This system ensured water availability throughout the year for drinking, irrigation washing, etc.

Doddanekundi lake in Bengaluru is one among the cluster of tanks/lakes. Doddanekundi lake is spread over 115 Acres and covers areas of Marathahalli, Doddanekundi, CV Raman Nagar and Vignan Nagar.

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The spurt of infrastructural development due to an ever growing population in the recent past gulped the green zones of this Garden City, thus turning it into a concrete jungle. This created ecological imbalance and adverse impact on climate, ground water level, eco systems, fauna, and flora.

Luckily Doddanekkundi lake survived this onslaught. However, in the process of rejuvenation, inlet water to the lake was diverted, thus depriving water flow into the lake. There have been joint efforts by Govt. authorities and local communities towards safeguarding this lake which was on the verge of extinction.

As a community initiative, a Trust called NeTRA (Nekundi Tank Rejuvenation Association), which was formed with six resident welfare associations of communities living around the lake, and Rotary Club of JB Nagar have teamed up to work for the rejuvenation of the lake. The lake has been a victim of encroachment, dumping of debris, solid waste and untreated waste water. BDA, with a budget of Rs 10.5 Cr from Karnataka Government, had carried out basic rejuvenation work such as strengthening of the bund, construction of walking track, creation of two Islands, etc.

Speaking at the occasion, Rotary JB Nagar President Jothish R informed that Rotary and NeTRA has plans to setup Bio STPs to treat the waste water so that the lake will receive only treated water during the dry season and rain water in monsoon. This will not only recharge ground water but there will be an overall improvement of the urban eco-system, thus restoring ecological balance including fauna and flora.

Collaboration with Intel India for a greening project around the lake

As part of the overall rejuvenation program, a greening project involving plantation of saplings and trees is planned. Intel India has come forward to support the greening activities that will involve plantation of 800 saplings by Intel employees, and upkeep of the plants for one year.

Speaking about the lake greening initiative, Jitendra Chaddah, Senior Director, Strategic Relations and Operations, Intel India, said, “At Intel, we are deeply committed to environmental sustainability and reduction of carbon footprint in every aspect of our work and social engagements. Our community volunteering initiatives are led through volunteering by our employees, we work with NGOs and other like-minded entities for addressing environmental issues. Our collaboration with the Rotary Club of Jeevenbima Nagar, and local communities around Doddanekundi Lake will definitely help restore some level of ecological balance and make it a better place for this neighborhood to enjoy.”

Chenniappan S, President of Netra briefed about other initiatives on the Doddanekundi lake rejuvenation agenda are children’s park and amphi theater, gym facility, peripheral fencing work and installation of solar energy plant on the bund. NeTRA also plans for cultural and recreation activities. Currently, the walking track on the bund is being used by hundreds of people, all days of the week.

NETRA  Trustee, Abhishek Ranjan briefed the media on the objectives of  the Lakeathon held on July 2, 2017:

1. Launch of Greening Project, supported by Intel India
2. Spread awareness about the work that has been done to rejuvenate and preserve the lake
3. Spread awareness on the need for continued and ongoing community participation to solve several issues that still plague the lake restoration and highlight the need for active community involvement to ensure that the civic authorities and elected representatives facilitate execution of high-quality work

The Lakeathon was attended by more than thousand participants. Many corporates, government authorities, and residents of Marathalli, CV Raman Nagar, Kaggadaspura,  Doddanekundi, Vignana Nagar attended the event.

Photo: Shajee Kitanghot