From lower depths, Handenahalli Lake back to life

Handenahalli Lake in Medahalli, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, has been restored to its former glory through the efforts of SayTrees, a grassroots environmental organisation. Once clogged with silt and weeds, the lake had not retained water for over a decade and had become a dumping ground for debris. After working diligently for five months from April to September this year, Handenahalli lake has been successfully revitalised.

Covering 15.9 acres, Handenahalli Lake had lost its ability to support local farmers and the surrounding ecosystem. Once capable of holding 91 million litres of water, the lake had become a dumping ground for debris, with water no longer remaining in it for over a decade.

With the involvement of the local community, the lake has been successfully transformed under the guidance of Madhusudan, the SayTrees Program Manager. The Zilla Panchayat office and the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) approved the detailed project report. The team focused on desilting the lake bed, reinforcing the bunds, and restoring water flow into the lake. Additionally, stone pitching around the bunds and the construction of inlet culverts now enable the lake to hold water sustainably.

As a result, the water spread area of Handenahalli Lake increased to 19.6 acres, boosting its water-holding capacity to 229 million litres, more than double its original capacity. For the first time in years, the lake is filled with water, offering new hope to local farmers who can now use the nutrient-rich silt for their fields. Additionally, the installation of a 24/7 water level monitoring sensor added a technological advantage to traditional restoration practices.

One of the positive aspects of this restoration was the involvement of local villagers and officials. The Panchayat has now formed a lake monitoring committee to prevent the reintroduction of debris and to maintain the lake’s health. What was once a neglected, misused space is now a revitalised ecosystem, serving not just as a reservoir but as a source of pride and responsibility for the village. SayTrees’ founder, Kapil Sharma, said “We at SayTrees have cracked the code on lake restoration, not through top-down solutions, but by empowering communities. We are the only NGO who have successfully completed a lake rejuvenation initiative via a public partnership model.”

Looking ahead, SayTrees has set its sights on an ambitious goal: to restore over 300 lakes across India by 2030. This mission aligns with their broader vision of tackling the twin crises of deforestation and water scarcity in the country.

“To achieve our ambitious goal of restoring 300 lakes by 2030, SayTrees calls upon all stakeholders to unite in a collaborative effort. Together, we can make a significant impact on our environment,” said Lt Commander Deokant Payasi, CEO of SayTrees