Raviraj Soman here. I’m usually in the forest, but today I’m in the concrete jungle.
Cities are thirsty. They are choking. In our rush to build, we paved over the very kidneys of our ecosystem: the wetlands. Lakes that once held floodwaters and recharged groundwater became dumping grounds. But the tide is turning, thanks to CSR.
The Power of Corporate Funds
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is often seen as just a tax checkbox. But when directed correctly, it moves mountains—or in this case, moves silt. We are seeing major corporations partnering with implementation agencies to adopt lakes.
The Restoration Process
It’s not just about cleaning the trash. It’s scientific restoration:
- Desilting: Removing decades of sludge to increase water capacity.
- Bund Strengthening: Creating natural barriers using stone and soil, not concrete.
- Inlet Treatment: Using bio-remediation (plants) to clean sewage water entering the lake.
- Native Planting: Planting Arjun and Jamun trees on the banks to hold the soil.
The Result
Within two years, we see the water table rise in the surrounding neighborhoods. We see Kingfishers and Spot-billed Ducks return. The lake becomes a community hub for morning walkers and nature lovers. It cools the micro-climate.
Corporates get branding and tax benefits. The city gets water. Nature gets a home. This is the model of the future.
Save the blue,
- Raviraj Soman
