Last updated: October 2021
Taru Leading Edge initiated a lake conservation project in Indore with support from the Rockefeller Foundation and Indore Municipal Corporation as part of the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN). Urbanisation and the increase of impermeable surfaces reduced the capacity for groundwater recharge. The climate change risks indicate increasing rainfall variability and more intense and/or more frequent storms as well as an increase in dry periods. With less permeable soils the city needs to optimally use existing lakes to capture runoff, creating buffer supplies and helping to increase groundwater recharge. The main objective of this project was “ensuring availability of local water resources during emergencies”, through developing a replicable model for peri-urban lake rejuvenation and conservation. The expected outcomes of the project include a stakeholder-managed process for stabilising/improving the water quality of the restored lakes and generating interest among multiple stakeholders to conserve urban lakes. TARU has restored and worked on 2 water bodies, demonstrating methods and processes required to revive lakes that have co-benefits of groundwater recharge, aesthetic enhancement of the area, cool microclimate and possible livelihood restoration. The names of the lakes restored are Khajrana talab and Lasudiya Mori talab. [2, 4]
Urban and Peri-urban Lake conservation in Indore
https://www.ctc-n.org/sites/www.ctc-n.org/files/resources/case_study_6_peri_urban_lakes_restoration_and_conserv.pdf
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Improvements to water quality
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Environmental quality
- Waste management
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
Focus
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Project objectives
1. Protect lakes through better management of catchments undergoing rapid urbanization and to increase residents’ resilience to water scarcity.
2. Engaging with multiple stakeholders especially the community to reduce the flow of untreated sewage into the lakes.
3. Improve the micro-climatic condition and reduce the rapid growth of weeds, increase the fish production as well as the variety of ducks and wild birds seen. [1, 2]
Implementation activities
1. Mapping of existing urban and peri-urban lakes in Indore was done to provide the basis for an integrated water balance and quality model that considers water demand, existing water sources and supplies, pollution, population growth scenarios, as well as sewerage, solid waste and sanitation arrangements.
2. Awareness building with stakeholders was undertaken concerning water-related issues/challenges.
3. Various water modelling iterations were developed to highlight the impacts and benefits to various sections of society and options for intervention were identified and selected by consensus.
4. Lake restoration by ecological treatment was done.
5. Clearance of weed and other wastes including solid wastes.
6. The embankment of the lake was fenced to create a walking track.
7. The sewage path entering the lake was diverted to keep the lake clean. [1, 2, 4]
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Renaturalization of rivers and other water bodies
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
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)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
- Citizen monitoring and review
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
TARU Leading Edge, Real estate developers, CSOs including Seva Surabhi, Indore branch of Urban
Health Resource Centre and Aims for Awareness of Society. [1, 3, 4, 5]
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- 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
- Provision of expertise
- Provision of other services
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
- Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
- Other
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Environmental quality
- Improved waste management
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Reduced biodiversity loss
Economic impacts
- Stimulate development in deprived areas
- Other
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- 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
- Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
References
1. TARU Leading Edge (n.d.) Peri-Urban Lakes Restoration. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
2. TARU Leading Edge (n.d.) Peri-urban lakes restoration/conservation to create emergency water management options. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
3. The Rockefeller Foundation (2015). Urban Climate Change Resilience in Action: Lessons from Projects
in 10 ACCCRN Cities. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
4. The Rockefeller Foundation (2014). ACCCRN City Projects. Indore: Peri-urban Lake Restoration to Create Emergency Water Management Options. Page 17. The Rockefeller Foundation, Asia Office Bangkok, Thailand. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
5. YouTube Video (2016). Peri-urban lake restoration, Indore - A TARU Project under ACCCRN. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
2. TARU Leading Edge (n.d.) Peri-urban lakes restoration/conservation to create emergency water management options. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
3. The Rockefeller Foundation (2015). Urban Climate Change Resilience in Action: Lessons from Projects
in 10 ACCCRN Cities. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
4. The Rockefeller Foundation (2014). ACCCRN City Projects. Indore: Peri-urban Lake Restoration to Create Emergency Water Management Options. Page 17. The Rockefeller Foundation, Asia Office Bangkok, Thailand. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
5. YouTube Video (2016). Peri-urban lake restoration, Indore - A TARU Project under ACCCRN. URL: Source link. Accessed on 8th September, 2021.
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the UNA global extension project funded by the British Academy.