With the start of summer in India and rising temperatures, along with a growing water scarcity problem in both urban and rural areas of the nation,
SayTrees Environmental Trust has intensified its water conservation programs throughout India by working on lake restoration and the revival of traditional water systems. With many parts of the country experiencing a groundwater depletion crisis and unusual rainfall patterns, it seems vital to take measures to restore natural water bodies and safeguard the future from further catastrophe. SayTrees has so far restored more than 50 plus lakes and waterbodies and revitalized more than 30 plus traditional water wells in various regions of India, adding up to over 5 billion liters of water storage capacity. Such initiatives help with better groundwater recharge as well as preventing any urban flooding.
As part of its long-term environmental vision, SayTrees has set a target to restore 50 billion litres of water-holding capacity by 2030 and aims to restore 300 lakes across India by 2035. The organisation is also planning to expand its water restoration initiatives across more urban and rural ecosystems in the country, with a continued focus on long-term groundwater recharge and climate resilience. For instance, SayTrees has so far restored more than 10 lakes, including Choodasandra Lake and Handenhalli lake, in the city of Bengaluru, which experiences problems with rapid urbanization and destruction of natural water systems. Furthermore, SayTrees has restored multiple open wells too, helping improve surface water restoration.
Water restoration is taking place across rural and peri-urban areas in Maharashtra in regions such as Satara and Aurangabad for increased water availability in support of agriculture and the local ecosystems. Water conservation and agroforestry programs in Anantapur, which is a drought-prone region of Andhra Pradesh, have been taken up by SayTrees for improved soil moisture content and resilience against climate change impacts to farmers. In Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, restoration activities are being carried out in urban as well as rural regions with emphasis on lake rejuvenation, well restoration, and development of overall water ecosystems.
Such water restoration activities involve desilting, construction of bunds, improvements in the inlet and outlet of the water body, and overall ecological restoration. Speaking on the initiative, Kapil Sharma, Founder & Trustee, SayTrees, said, “It is a reminder every summer of our dependence on water systems that we tend to take for granted. Restoration of these water systems, such as lakes and wells, is not an exercise in environmental conservation alone but is rather a means of ensuring a water supply for years to come.” Lt Cdr Deokant Payasi (Retd.), Founder, Trustee & CEO, SayTrees, added: “The problems India faces with water necessitate well-defined, scalable approaches to solve them. We have been working to rejuvenate existing water sources, which is helping us recharge groundwater levels and reduce the strain of water scarcity on a local level. These are approaches that can be adopted throughout the country.”
SayTrees partners with the local community, governmental organizations, and business partners for the sustainable implementation of these projects. Community engagement proves to be crucial in order to maintain restored water sources.
In light of the increasing threats due to climate change, SayTrees reiterates its commitment towards implementing water source restoration programs, considering it to be among the most efficient measures to address the water crisis faced by India, particularly during summers.
