We wholeheartedly thank Caterpillar India for their funding support and Hosur City Municipal Corporation for administrative support in reviving this waterbody and conserving Hosur’s Environment.
We look forward to our future collaborations across India for a greener environment.
Hosur is located in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, near the border of Karnataka Initially a small agrarian settlement, is now a bustling industrial city. This hill town on the banks of the Thenpennaiyar river is not only known for its industrial prowess but also for its lush greenery, pleasant climate, rolling hills, and several water bodies.
Datha lake located on the western peripheral edge of the city is a valley system flanked by high raised land on all four sides, Thus making it act naturally like a bowl that holds all of its catchment water from all directions.
Spanning across 63 acres this water body serves as a significant wetland ecosystem and also a aquifer which recharges groundwater. Silt deposition over the years and undulated surface area reduced the water holding capacity with encroachments on one side and dumping of construction debris and non-biodegradable waste on the other side, this lake faces a significant threat from the ever changing landscape around.
E.F.I with support from Caterpillar India and Government of Tamil Nadu undertook a comprehensive restoration effort includes,
Clearing all invasive weeds such as Parthenium, Castor and Prosopis juliflora from the embankment and the lake surface which was chocking the native vegetation. 40 tons of non-biodegradable waste were removed. Zone based De-silting was carried out to increase storage capacity, New embankments were constructed and existing bunds were strengthened, compacted, and widened to enhance the resilience, particularly during heavy rainfall. Recharge pits and percolation trenches were constructed which enables more water to percolate and replenish the groundwater table. 20+ Nesting islands were constructed with the excavated silt and the de-weeded plant material to serve as a separate, undisturbed habitat for birds and aquatic animals to breed. The plant material will eventually break down and produce green compost, making them a biodiversity hotspot for local flora and fauna to thrive on.
With all its new features, Datha Lake eagerly waiting for the nature to fill it with water during the 2024 monsoons.
Administrative Partner : Hosur City Municipal Corporation
CSR Partner: Caterpillar India
Executing Partner: Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I)