Kudikunta Lake Revived After 8 Years Of Effort

Hyderabad: Kudikunta Lake in Masjid Banda, Kondapur, once a dumping ground choked with sewage and surrounded by mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, has been brought back to life after nearly eight years of sustained efforts by NGO SAHE.

Spread over eight acres, the lake has been restored with greenery and community participation, and is now set to be showcased as a model lake.

The revival began in 2017 when architect and water conservationist Kalpana Ramesh, founder of The Rainwater Project, took up the challenge after making her own home and colony tanker-free through rainwater harvesting. Realising the need to go beyond awareness campaigns, she initiated on-ground change.

“I came across the lake in 2017 when it was heavily polluted with sewage inflows, garbage dumping and open defecation,” Kalpana Ramesh told Deccan Chronicle. “Initially, we carried out multiple clean-up drives, bund strengthening, sewage treatment using bio-enzymes, solar aeration and wetland creation. But the sewage inflow kept increasing.”

Today, after years of interventions, the lake receives treated water throughout the year and will not dry up again. It now benefits nearby ecosystems, including Palapitta Park, the Botanical Gardens and Camelot Park.

“Alongside the revival, we worked with nearby colonies to build 40 rainwater recharge pits and revive an old well. The restoration was supported by a Rs 70-lakh CSR grant from Infosys Foundation, along with contributions from Sai Life Sciences, community support and personal funds,” Kalpanan Ramesh said.

The lake now has a green boundary and a walking track. “Several pipes laid from neighbouring colonies channel rainwater into the lake, and during recent rains, the system successfully diverted floodwater directly into it. Greening of the bund and a floating bridge across the outlet are planned. We have also formed a lake protection team funded by nearby communities to ensure its long-term preservation,” she added.