Last updated: May 2023
Neknampur Lake, also known as Ibrahim Bagh Cheruvu, located in Hyderabad, Telangana State of India, has historical importance and was part of a water reservoir network for irrigation and drinking as well as an inalienable part of the rural ecology of the village (1,2). Due to urbanization, the lake underwent drastic changes in ecology, land use and management in the past decade. Scientific investigations conducted by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board on Neknampur Lake highlighted that the water body was full of sludge and extremely eutrophicated, showing elevated algal growth (2). This was mainly because of the unabated entry of sewage and other waste over an extended period into the lake (1,2). In June 2016, The NGO named 'Dhruvansh' decided to adopt Neknampur Lake and thus began a series of interventions that incorporated bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques, regular cleanup drives of plastic removal and recycling campaigns into a restoration plan for the lake (1,2). With the support of the government institutions, 'Dhruvansh' began the revival of the lake across two phases: (1) the revival of the lake periphery and the lake body, followed by (2) the revival of the lake ecosystem (1,2). The ecological restoration of Neknampur Lake has improved the ecological services it provides and restores the glory of this historically significant lake, now known as a biodiversity hotspot (1,2,3,4).
Floating treatment wetland technique being applied in the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary - Dhruvansh
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Riverbank/Lakeside greens
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Improvements to water quality
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Effective management
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social cohesion
- Environmental education
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Employment/job creation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
The organization 'Dhruvansh' with this project had the following objectives:
1. To develop and implement a restoration plan for Neknampur lake by integrating wetland management techniques.
2. To create a low-cost sustainable model for the restoration of the lake by using traditional and technological methods.
3. To develop Neknampur lake as a knowledge hub for school students, a research project for college students and a recreational place.
4. To raise awareness regarding the importance of the lake and its ecosystem.
5. To provide a source of livelihood to the local community (1,2,3,4)
Implementation activities
The following implementation activities were undertaken to conserve the lake: planting, cleaning, desilting, catchment area treatment, fringe area protection, solid waste management, installation of floating treatment wetlands, implementation of phytoremediation techniques, removal of aquatic weed systems and composting (1,2).
A stormwater treatment pond at the inlet was constructed to restrict the direct input of sludge and metals and to inactivate phosphorous. A separate pond for idol immersion was created to keep the lake water free from the harmful materials coming with the idol. Furthermore, biological control methods are employed to control the growth of aquatic weeds in rejuvenation practices. For aeration, three fountains were installed using sludge motors along with one subsurface diffuser for bottom aeration and six floating aerators of two horsepower. A sedimentation basin and a floating treatment island were created as well. Several other activities take place on a weekly basis at the lake, such as cleaning drives, cultural programmes, pottery workshops and bird watching. Institutions that are affiliated with certain activities conducted at the lake include 1. WWF Telangana, 2. People for Animals, 3. Snake for Shelter, 4. Helping Hands, 5. Hyderabad Birding Pals (1,2).
Other actions were undertaken as part of the Neknampur Lake restoration initiative through co-governance (governmental and non-governmental bodies) :
- Planting drives under the Haritha Haram (Telangana State's afforestation program) and HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority) plantation scheme
- Cleaning of garbage and installing electric poles at the lake
- Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank of 21m width and 2m depth.
- Introduced 20,000 fish in the lake to support bioremediation.
- Introduction of barbed wire fencing at the lake
- Introduction of the first floating (wetland) island (3mx3m) at the lake
- 32 awareness programs on the importance of the lake and its ecosystem
- Awareness about the annual distribution of Clay Ganesha idols, its material awareness and facts about Ganesh Festival (1,2)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore ecological connectivity
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Neknampur Lake restoration initiative was led by Madhulika Choudhary and her NGO named 'Dhruvansh' with the support of various government institutions such as the Manikonda Municipality, the State Irrigation Department, Ranga Reddy District Collector, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), Telangana Fisheries Department and Telangana State Biodiversity Board.
The different types of actions taken as part of the initiative and the actors involved are as follows:
Strategies/plans/policies: Planting drives under the Haritha Haram and HMDA plantation scheme were undertaken by Dhruvansh, TREDA SS Green Community Members, Grampanchayat Neknampur, CI Narsingi, schools and colleges.
Governance/organisational:
Regular monitoring and testing of the water is done by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board.
Cleaning garbage and installing electric poles at the lake is the responsibility of the Collectorate of Rangareddy district, together with Dhruvansh.
Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank is done by the Collectorate, Irrigation department and GHMC.
The introduction of fish in the lake to support bioremediation is done by the Fishery Department.
Stakeholder engagement is done by the SS Green Community.
Financial/Fiscal measures are the responsible of the Rangareddy District Collectorate.
Technical and technological measures are done by the HMDA and TSPCB.
Awareness raising was conducted by Dhruvansh between 2016-2018. (1, 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
No
... a local policy or strategy?
No
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public regional budget
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
- Generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved social cohesion
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Equator Initiative UNDP. Dhruvansh Organization, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
2. Fernandes, Rithika. Panwar, Vishakha. Sen, Monalisa. (2022). Nature-based Solutions for urban climate resilience in South Asia: Cases from Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. ICLEI South Asia, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
3. Rajpal, Seema. (2019). Lady of the Lakes: How Madhulika Choudhary is saving Hyderabad's water bodies. Hyderabad: Edex Live, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
4. Gibson, Lucy. (2020). Neknampur Lake - Lake Restoration, Water Story. Lakes of India, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
2. Fernandes, Rithika. Panwar, Vishakha. Sen, Monalisa. (2022). Nature-based Solutions for urban climate resilience in South Asia: Cases from Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. ICLEI South Asia, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
3. Rajpal, Seema. (2019). Lady of the Lakes: How Madhulika Choudhary is saving Hyderabad's water bodies. Hyderabad: Edex Live, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
4. Gibson, Lucy. (2020). Neknampur Lake - Lake Restoration, Water Story. Lakes of India, available at Source link (accessed 06-01-2023)
Removal of aquatic weeds from the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary
Plantations undertaken along the periphery of the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary - Dhruvansh
Neknampur lake now as an recreational space and hub eco-friendly events.
By Rajeshwari Parasa - The News Minute (2021)
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.