Project Neeru: A WaterWise Bengaluru
India
Asia
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Bengaluru
Project Overview
Project Neeru aligns with SDGs 6,13 and 14 by developing strategies to improve water conservation and access in resource-challenged areas of Bengaluru. It addresses water scarcity through lake rejuvenation projects and rainwater harvesting initiatives. Collaborating with NGOs based in Bengaluru, the team works on surveying encroached lakes, rejuvenating water bodies, constructing recharge pits, and fundraising efforts involving corporate partnerships. The project aims to explore the root causes of water scarcity and its redressal measures.
Project Impact
During the Millennium Fellowship, Project Neeruachieved several milestones in addressing the water scarcity issue in Bengaluru:
- Conducted research and analysis on lakes for encroachment indicators, developing models to aid in the study.
- Discovered over 13 lakes between 1-1.5 acres in Anekal, recorded as existing lakes on RTC site but encroached upon on-site survey.
- Collaborated with NGOs such as Friends of Lakes and Twin Glacier Foundation for lake rejuvenation efforts and initiated recharge pit constructions in government schools and public borewells.
- Successfully initiated a rejuvenation project for the 13.5-acre Veerasandra Lake in collaboration with SCMS-B and Twin Glacier Foundation.
- Visited and studied an ancestral well-digging community to understand the power of sustainability interlinked with livelihood and the demand trend for recharge pits in the city across time.
However, we recognized that while these efforts were impactful, achieving more substantial, long-term results will require further time, policy changes, and effective execution.
Millennium Fellows Involved
Mahalakshmi Sivakumar,
Aishwarya Sati,
Akshay Pradeep,
Alapati Sriharshitha,
Ansh Sachan,
Aryan Singh,
Bhagath Shibu,
Burhanuddin Malubhoy,
R Drithi Chandru,
Nabeel Thalakkott,
Parth Khilnani,
Tanvi Saxena,
Tanvy Somani