Nizampet Lake Rehabilitation Project

Introduction

Nizampet Lake situated in Hyderabad is a man-made lake which measures approx. 3.5 ha (35900 sq. m) with a circumference of approx. 800 m (2600 ft). This Lake forms an integral part of the community ecosystem in Nizampet village and surrounding. Nizampet Lake/Sriramkunta Cheruvu has been adopted by Wells Fargo Indian Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (WFS) in partnership with local NGO ‘Youth for Seva’ (YFS) for the lake conservation. Ladybird Environmental Consulting LLP (LEC) was roped in for its environmental expertise required for the project. This is an 18 month project period (August 2018- January 2020) which is largely focused on developing green belt around the lake and improving it’s the lake ecology. •

Nizampet lake rehabilitation project has completed its one year and the changes we see is incredible. The once barren lake is covered with greenery now all around. In one year we planted over 6000 plants which have grown well. The lake where rarely walkers u should to visit has now become one of the favorite walking point in the Nizampet area with almost 300 footfall everyday. Also, one can observe different species of birds and butterflies around the lake which definitely makes it attractive. Notably, plants and trees are the core of our ecosystem...they can change our lives like they changed Nizampet lake.

Project Overview

Project Location: Hyderabad

Project Duration: August 2018- January 2020.

Project Partner: Youth for Seva

Funding Agency: Wells Fargo Indian Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Project Outcomes:

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

Join Nizampet Lake Facebook Group

Summary

Nizampet lake rehabilitation project, which started in August 2018 has reached towards its completion and we observe some incredible changes. The trees, climbers,shrub and grasses that surround the lake is now home to several species of butterflies and birds. In the first quarter, 5150 saplings were planted and by the end of the project 5745 plants survived, which include 450 replanted saplings and all these are well established. The diversity of butterfly and birds also increased during the project period. The butterfly diversity increased from 11 to 32 similarly birds diversity from 13 to 54. The project from the start was hindered by several problems like construction work, extreme heat, water scarcity which is crucial for maintaining greenery, but despite hardships, we managed to protect the plants and achieved zero mortality rate with green cover greater than before August 2018. Besides, to recognize the fauna and

flora, bilingual signages were designed and installed. To achieve better outcome lake awareness and employee engagement programme were organised with several volunteering activities. This is the final report of the project that highlights various aspects of the year-long activities..

Project Interventions

Baseline Surveys

Biodiversity Plantation

Baseline Survey
Lake Perception Surveys
Biodiversity surveys
Soil and water analysis

Biodiversity Plantation

Ground preparation
Plantation of 5150 bird, butterfly, bat and bee attracting plants ( herbs, shrubs, trees)
Installation of drip irrigation system

Lake Management

Biodiversity Plantation

Signage Development

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

Signage Development

Community Engagement

Signage Development

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

Employee Engagement

Community Engagement

Wells Fargo 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.

Project Outcomes

Biodiversity

Signage Development

Biodiversity

We recorded increase in butterfly diversity from 11 to 32 species and from 13 to 50 species of birds. Our monthly bird count recorded 150 birds using the lake area. Visitors now spot various different types of birds and butterflies in and around the lake.

Plantation

Signage Development

Biodiversity

The green cover of Nizampet Lake has increased making it much greener than what it was before plantation in August 2018. We planted 5150 saplings at the start of the project. Additionally, 850 plant saplings and over 300 clumps of fountain grass were planted during the project period. We also tried a new method of plantation by planting 250 seed balls which was a success. At the end of the project, we found 5745 surviving plants at the lake.

Signage Development

Employee Engagement Programmes

We developed 25 bilingual signage which includes; 12 for trees and 13 bird signage. Also 125 plant signages for host and nectar plants were developed. These signages helped in creating awareness about local birds and trees in and around the lake.

Employee Engagement Programmes

Community Engagement Programmes

Employee Engagement Programmes

We conducted 22 employee engagement programmes in which a total of 737 employees volunteered .

These volunteers were primarily from various corporates who helped in lake clean up, deweeding, mulching, seed ball making, sapling bag making and plantation works.

Community Engagement Programmes

We conducted eight community engagement programs in which 418 local people participated at the lake.

The programme is basically conducted around the lake. A nature trail is conducted wherein all the flora and the fauna of the lake is been explored and the importance of the lake is also been explained.

Free Lake Safaris for Schools

Community Engagement Programmes

We conducted free lake tours for local schools and colleges. So far 150 students participated in these walks.