World Lake Day 2025: India’s Lake Warriors Bringing Water Back to Life

IN India, where monsoons arrive in bursts and cities swing between floods and drought, lakes are lifelines. They absorb stormwater, recharge groundwater, host urban biodiversity, and cool overheated neighborhoods. When we lose them to neglect or “beautification” projects that ignore hydrology, we also lose flood buffers, drinking water security, and the green lungs of our cities. Research and policy dialogues around Indian wetlands consistently stress these roles and the need for people-centric restoration.( Indian Institute of ScienceResearchGate). This World Lake Day, we’re celebrating India’s lake rejuvenation changemakers—grassroots leaders and citizen groups who rolled up their sleeves, learned the science, built coalitions, and put water back where it belongs. Their stories are practical playbooks any community can adapt.

Why lakes matter 

• Flood control & climate resilience: Lakes act as sponges during heavy rains and reduce flash floods downstream. Indian Institute of Science
• Groundwater recharge: Healthy lakebeds percolate rainwater, stabilizing neighborhood borewells and reducing tanker dependence. Indian Institute of Science
• Biodiversity & public health: Wetlands host birds, pollinators, and aquatic life—nature that keeps mosquitoes in check and boosts mental well-being. Indian Institute of Science
• Community identity & equity: Inclusive, co-managed lakes become safe, shared commons—vital in dense cities. Vikalp Sangam

Meet India’s lake rejuvenation changemakers

Anand Malligavad — “The Lake Man of India” (Bengaluru & beyond)

A mechanical engineer turned full-time restorer, Anand Malligavad has become a household name for lake revival done fast, frugally, and with local communities. Working across multiple states, he has restored 80+ lakes, over 33 in Bengaluru alone, using nature-based techniques: desilting, creating recharge wells, building wetlands for sewage inflows, and reshaping bunds to stabilize water spread. FairPlanet

His case studies—from Kyalasanahalli to Vabasandra—show borewells returning to life, farm incomes rebounding, and birdlife reappearing in just a few monsoons when hydrology is respected and maintenance is funded. Orato

Takeaway: Keep civil works simple and science-led; set aside a maintenance budget from day one; and make locals the primary stewards, not spectators. FairPlanet

2) Arun Krishnamurthy & EFI — A national volunteer army for lakes

Arun Krishnamurthy left a corporate job to found the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), a non-profit that mobilises thousands of volunteers for lake and pond restoration across the country. By 2025, EFI’s work spans 460+ water bodies (and growing), supported by corporate philanthropy and citizen energy. Earlier reports in 2022 documented 185 lakes restored—showing the scale-up in just a few years. The Logical IndianTIME

EFI’s model blends community clean-ups, biodiversity islands, inlet protection, and pollution control measures with public education—turning one-time drives into year-round stewardship. rolex.org

Takeaway: Pair hands-on lake works with ongoing citizen education if you want results to last. TIME

3) Ramveer Tanwar — “PondMan” of India (Delhi-NCR & nationwide)

From Greater Noida to Gurugram and beyond, Ramveer Tanwar and his team have brought 80+ ponds and wetlands back from the brink, often starting with Jal Chaupal—village or neighborhood meetings where residents map problems and commit to solutions. The results: cleaner inflows, revived biodiversity, and pride of place that resists re-pollution. The Better India

His NGO and campaigns use low-cost, high-participation methods that re-center lakes as commons, not projects. The Indian Express

Takeaway: Start with conversations and co-ownership; the civil works are easier when the community is all-in. The Better India

4) Usha Rajagopalan & PNLIT — Puttenahalli’s people-powered comeback (Bengaluru)

When Puttenahalli Lake (JP Nagar) was choked with waste and nearly dry, writer-activist Usha Rajagopalan rallied neighbors and co-founded PNLIT (Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust) in 2010. Their campaign spurred municipal rejuvenation, after which the trust co-managed the lake—restoring wetlands, planting trees, and protecting habitat. Today, Puttenahalli is known for rich biodiversity (120+ bird species reported) and an active stewardship culture. Ecological CitizenAditya Birla Group

Recent governance tussles show how fragile these gains can be—and why clear, stable lake-management frameworks are crucial for citizen-led successes to endure. Citizen Matters

Takeaway: Citizen trusts can sustain lakes day-to-day, but they need supportive policy, transparent roles, and timely municipal funding. Citizen Matters

5) Priya Ramasubban & MAPSAS — Kaikondrahalli’s template for co-management (Bengaluru)

Kaikondrahalli Lake (48 acres on Sarjapur Road) went from a dump yard to a thriving wetland after a citizen movement—spearheaded by residents including filmmaker Priya Ramasubban—partnered with the city. The group formed MAPSAS, a trust that helped steward the lake and later neighboring Ambalipura. The annual Kere Habba festival celebrates this living commons. KalpavrikshCitizen Matters

Takeaway: A two-phase rejuvenation (hydrology first, community programs next) plus a local trust to handle daily realities can keep lakes healthy without turning them into concrete parks. Kalpavriksh

6) Vanitha Mohan & Siruthuli — Stitching Coimbatore’s water chain back together

In Coimbatore, Siruthuli, chaired by Vanitha Mohan, has spent two decades restoring the Noyyal river’s chain of tanks and lakes, reviving traditional water linkages that modern planning often overlooks. Their recent work includes the Masaorambu stream rejuvenation (June 2025) and technical support to the city for a major Singanallur Lake revival plan. siruthuli.comThe Times of India+1

Takeaway: Don’t treat a lake as an island—restore the whole cascade (feeder streams, upstream tanks, wetlands, outlets) so the system works as designed. earthses.org

7) United Way Bengaluru — “Wake the Lake” (CSR-powered, city-scale restoration)

Since 2011, United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) has partnered with BBMP, gram panchayats, and corporates to rejuvenate 47 lakes around the city through its Wake the Lake campaign. Projects combine desilting, sludge removal, wetland creation, inlet protection, fencing, pathways, and community engagement. UWBengaluru

One standout is Bidare Agrahara Lake, where a 2024 project with Alstom removed 25,800 m³ of silt and 8,300 m³ of sludge, boosting storage to ~180 million liters (18 crore) and improving groundwater locally. Alstom

Takeaway: CSR can fund heavy lifting, but the lake’s “software”—community use, education, and routine maintenance—keeps it healthy long after ribbon-cuttings. UWBengaluru

Friends of Lakes & Ramprasad Dasa — Governance first, beautification later

Bengaluru’s Friends of Lakes (FoL) has evolved a practical governance and “lake assets” framework, training citizens to audit lakes and argue for function-led rejuvenation (recharge, flood mitigation, water quality) over cosmetic makeovers. Co-founder Ramprasad Dasa consistently warns that when lakes are treated as amusement parks, hydrology suffers—and floods follow. Oorvani FoundationMongabay-India

Their advocacy—alongside scientists like T. V. Ramachandra (IISc)—has pushed agencies to recognize wetlands as infrastructure, not decoration. The Times of IndiaCentre for Ecological Sciences

Takeaway: A city’s lakes live or die by policy and governance: empowered lake cells, clear O&M budgets, and citizen oversight matter as much as excavators. Deccan Herald

10 actionable principles for lake rejuvenation 

 

1. Start with science: Map the catchment, feeder channels, and outlets; size wetlands for sewage inflows; plan desilting based on bathymetry. UWBengaluru
2. Fix inflows before photos: Intercept sewage, create constructed wetlands and silt traps, and protect inlets with gabions or reed beds. UWBengaluru
3. Rebuild the water budget: Restore bunds, weirs, and recharge wells to stabilize levels through dry spells. FairPlanet
4. Design for flood pulses: Leave room for floodplains and buffer zones instead of paving edges; resist over-hardscaping. Indian Institute of Science
5. Think in chains, not dots: Reconnect upstream tanks, streams, and wetlands so the whole cascade functions. earthses.org
   
6. Prioritize biodiversity islands: Shallows, islands, and native plant belts boost birds, fish nurseries, and water quality. rolex.org
7. Make it people-powered: Form a lake trust or user group early; define roles with the municipality; publish a clear O&M plan. KalpavrikshEcological Citizen
8. Secure multi-year funding: Blend CSR, municipal funds, and community contributions; ring-fence money for annual desilting and wetland upkeep. UWBengaluru
9. Measure and report: Track water levels, TDS/BOD, bird counts, and visitor use; public dashboards build trust and deter “token” projects. Oorvani Foundation
10. Celebrate the lake: Festivals like Kere Habba, nature walks, and school programs turn a water body into a shared identity—your best anti-pollution insurance. Citizen Matters
    

Short case snapshots you can borrow from

• Puttenahalli (Bengaluru): Citizen trust + municipal works + sustained biodiversity monitoring → long-term upkeep and school engagement. Ecological Citizen
• Kaikondrahalli (Bengaluru): Two-phase rejuvenation + MAPSAS trust + annual Kere Habba → a repeatable template. KalpavrikshCitizen Matters
• Bidare Agrahara (Bengaluru): CSR-funded heavy desilting + wetland + inlet protection → big jumps in storage and groundwater. Alstom
• Delhi-NCR ponds: Jal Chaupal + low-cost community action → 80+ wetlands revived. The Better India
• Noyyal system (Coimbatore): NGO-city partnership on streams and tanks → strengthening the entire water chain. The Times of India+1

Frequently asked questions 

Q1. What is World Lake Day and when is it observed?
World Lake Day is recognized by the UN to spotlight the importance of lakes for water security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. It is observed on August 27. UNEP – UN Environment Programme

Q2. What’s the difference between lake “beautification” and real rejuvenation?
Beautification focuses on looks—paving edges, lights, and lawns. Rejuvenation fixes hydrology and water quality first: sewage interception, constructed wetlands, desilting, bund strengthening, outlet weirs, and catchment repairs. The former may worsen floods; the latter reduces flood risk and recharges groundwater. Indian Institute of Science

Q3. Can citizen groups adopt and manage lakes in Indian cities?
Yes. Many successful lakes are co-managed by local trusts along with city agencies—examples include PNLIT (Puttenahalli) and MAPSAS (Kaikondrahalli/Ambalipura) in Bengaluru. Clear agreements and steady municipal support are essential. Ecological CitizenKalpavriksh

Q4. Which organizations can help us start?
Look up regional groups like EFI (multi-state), Friends of Lakes (Bengaluru), Siruthuli (Coimbatore), and city-wide facilitators like United Way Bengaluru. Each has toolkits and training that communities can adapt. The Logical IndianOorvani Foundationsiruthuli.comUWBengaluru

How you can take action 

1. Adopt a lake (or pond): Form a registered resident trust or partner with an existing lake group; request a formal MoU with the local authority. Kalpavriksh
2. Map the catchment: Walk the feeder channels after rain; photograph blockages; report illegal inlets; crowd-map issues. Oorvani Foundation
3. Fund a wetland or silt trap: Even a modest constructed wetland at the inlet dramatically improves quality and reduces future desilting costs. UWBengaluru
4. Run “Lake 101” workshops: Invite nearby schools and RWAs; share water-testing basics; teach do’s and don’ts (no detergents, no dumping). Indian Institute of Science
5. Celebrate your kere/taalab: Host bird walks, cleanup drives, storytelling sessions—turn your lake into a local festival of care. Citizen Matters

Lakes are infrastructure—treat them that way

India’s lake revival movement proves a simple truth: when people own the process, lakes heal faster. Whether it’s Malligavad’s rapid, frugal engineering, EFI’s volunteer surge, Ramveer’s Jal Chaupal, or long-haul guardians like PNLIT, MAPSAS, and Siruthuli, the pattern repeats—fix the inflows, restore the hydrology, empower the neighborhood, and keep the books open.

On World Lake Day 2025, let’s commit to one nearby water body. If you’re a policymaker, fund wetlands and maintenance, not just pathways. If you’re a corporate, support multi-year O&M, not one-off optics. If you’re a resident, join or start a lake group. The monsoon is generous—it’s up to us to hold the water.

Sources & further reading

• UN General Assembly recognises World Lake Day (Aug 27). UNEP – UN Environment Programme
• IISc “LAKE 2024” proceedings: wetlands’ roles & people’s participation. Indian Institute of Science
• Mongabay-India on function-led rejuvenation (Ramprasad Dasa / Friends of Lakes). Mongabay-India
• Anand Malligavad profiles and impact. FairPlanetOrato
• EFI / Arun Krishnamurthy—scale and volunteer model. The Logical IndianTIMErolex.org
• Ramveer Tanwar (PondMan)—80+ wetlands restored. The Better India
• PNLIT / Puttenahalli—citizen trust model & governance insights. Ecological CitizenCitizen Matters
• MAPSAS / Kaikondrahalli—case study & Kere Habba. KalpavrikshCitizen Matters
• Siruthuli / Coimbatore—Noyyal stream & Singanallur initiatives. siruthuli.comThe Times of India+1
• United Way Bengaluru—47 lakes under “Wake the Lake”; Bidare Agrahara metrics. UWBengaluruAlstom