Achari Kunta Lake Rejuvenation Project through Community Engagement

Introduction

Achari Kunta Cheruvu is a manmade lake situated near Venkatraya Nagar in Nizampet Village of Bachupally Mandal, Medchal District of Telangana State, and India. The lake is surrounded by under-construction buildings from all sides. It is circular in shape with an expanse of approx. 1.5 acre however it has been encroached from all sides and shrunken to 0.9 acres.

Globally, lake biodiversity is facing a growing threat, with lake degradation peaking due to rapid urbanization and other anthropogenic pressures. Achari Kunta Lake was no exception. Consequently, a rehabilitation project was launched to restore the lake by improving its habitat through natural and artificial interventions.

Ladybird Environmental Consulting LLP (LEC) was roped in for its environmental expertise, and the project was launched in April 2020 in collaboration with the iNaturewatch Foundation. The success of the Nizampet Lake project played a key role in securing this new initiative. Driven by a local community request to save their lake, we provided the necessary support. . The team that managed Nizampet Lake was back again to create the same magic. Funded by DCB Bank, the project successfully concluded in December 2021.

Project Overview

Location: Hyderabad

Project Duration: April 2020- October 2021

Project Partner: iNaturewatch Foundation

Funding Agency: DCB Bank

Project Outcomes:

Increase in the green cover
Increase in the local biodiversity
Improvement in the water and soil quality.
Increase awareness about the lake among the citizens.
Fulfillment of Biodiversity Aichi Target no. 1, 5, 14

Find out more about Achari Kunta Lake on Inaturewatch

Project Now Stands Complete

Conclusion Achari Kunta Lake Rejuvenation Project

Overall, it can be claimed that the project was extremely challenging but successful. The lake has changed since the plantation. Bird calls in the background have now calmed the entire lake atmosphere. Plants are growing well and flowering profusely, which suggests that the soil is fertile and the climate is ideal for the plantation. Domesticated animals have been replaced with aquatic bird nests in the lake. Around the lake, butterflies can be seen fluttering. The grass that was planted along the lake's edge has grown and begun to bloom, adding beauty to the lake. The lake's biodiversity has expanded, and the water quality is getting better.

Project Interventions

Surveys

Biodiversity Plantation

Baseline Survey
Lake Perception Surveys
Biodiversity surveys
Soil and water analysis

Biodiversity Plantation

Ground preparation
Plantation of 5000 bird, butterfly, bat and bee attracting plants ( herbs, shrubs, trees)
Installation of drip irrigation system

Lake Management

Biodiversity Plantation

Appointment of project team
Declaring open-close hours for the lake
Establishing project office inside lake
Controlling all ant-lake activities.

Signage Development

25 bilingual signages on local birds and trees.
125 plant signages for butterfly attracting plants

Employee Engagement

Community Engagement

DCB Bank employees volunteer in plantation, clean up and plantation maintenance works of periodic basis.

Community Engagement

Formed whatsapp and Facebook group of local communities
Conducting monthly lake safaris.
Conducting monthly Birdwatch program.

Volunteering Programmes

Rejuvenation of lake
Clean up drive event
Restoration of lake

Rejuvenation of lake
Clean up drive event
Restoration of lake

Project Outcomes

Surveys

Biodiversity Plantation

The biodiversity survey of the lake indicated, 50 species of birds, 53 species of Insects (36 butterfly sp.), two species of amphibians, eight species of reptiles and one species of Mammals. Compared to the 12 species of birds and two species of butterflies seen before plantation. The before and after soil and water test also showed positive results.

The lake perception survey conducted before and after the lake rejuvenation work among the residents to observe the changes in people’s perceptions showed that 95% of people who took the survey were satisfied with the rejuvenation activities. And 50% strongly agreed to provide support for the lake by taking part in clean-up drives.

Biodiversity Plantation

The lake rejuvenation from dying lake into vibrant ecology with help of community engagement is a success story. Entire lake plantation of 5000 plants survived successfully with 1% mortality rate. Of the total 5000 saplings that were planted around the lake, 4933 were surviving.

Lake Management

Biodiversity Plantation

Signage Development

The lake was opened to the public on 1st November 2021. The locals are happy and have started regularly using the lake for morning and evening walks. Change in perceptions of

the local community

members was observed who valued the

rejuvenated lake.

Signage Development

For educational purposes, 13 trees, 12 birds, and 100 butterfly plants signages were developed and installed around the lake, along with a title board with instructions and Do’s and Don’ts for visitors.

Employee Engagement

Eight two DCB Bank employees volunteer in plantation, clean up and plantation maintenance works of periodic basis.

Community Engagement

Community engagement programmes were conducted for engaging the locals and to create awareness. Altogether, 276 participants were engaged in 10 programmes, including a drawing competition for children, Clean-up Drive, Deweeding and Floating Wetland Making.

A whatsapp and Facebook group was formed of local communities.

Volunteering Programmes

Rejuvenation of lake
Clean up drive event
Restoration of lake