Located in the Eastern catchment zone of the Vrishabhavathi Reservoir in Southwestern rural Bangalore are two water bodies, namely the Amavasya Kere and the Thumbin Kere.
Rapidly developing industrial areas and commercialization of agriculture with dairy units and private farms house mushrooming up, restoration of these waterbodies is crucial for preserving the local ecology and lifeform dependent on it.
Take a look at all the interventions taking place at the two lakes!
Activities executed on the field at the two lakes:
- Deweeding: Owing to years of negligence and no proper maintenance, invasive weeds such as Prosopis juliflora, and overgrown thorny shrubs were cleared from the lake using machinery.
- Bund Strengthening and Formation: The embankments of the lakes were found to be damaged, and irregular in shape due to excess siltation deposits. Using excavators, the excess silt deposits were compacted, thereby strengthening the bunds to ensure optimal storage of water at the lakes.
- Nesting Island Creation: Using the excess silt, nesting islands were created at the lakes to provide nesting grounds for local fauna such as birds, reptiles and amphibians.
- Trench Work: To improve and regulate the flow of water within the lake, a shallow channel was created for approximately 180 m.
Check out the progress at these lakes!
Amavasya Kere
Before Restoration
Work in progress at the site
Aerial view of the work in progress
Thumbin Kere
Before Restoration
Work in progress at the site
Aerial view of the work in progress
We thank the Ramanagara District Collectorate and HCCB for supporting this restoration effort. Stay tuned for more updates!