इंदौर न केवल भारत का सबसे स्वच्छ शहर है, बल्कि यह एक हरित शहर में भी तब्दील हो रहा है। इस मध्य भारतीय शहर में झीलों का जीर्णोद्धार, वनरोपण के प्रयास और सार्वजनिक स्वयंसेवा तेजी से बढ़ रही है।
हम आपको इस कहानी को पढ़ने के लिए आमंत्रित करते हैं, EFI ने कन्हड़िया में 2 और झीलों का जीर्णोद्धार किया।
Indore, the country’s cleanest city and Madhya Pradesh’s very own “mini Bombay,” is now adding a new feather to its cap—it’s going blue-green! Distributed over 530 square kilometers of land area, with dense population and tech-driven hustle, the city’s natural landscape is largely lost.
But fear not—that’s where E.F.I. steps in to flip the script and restore Indore’s ecosystem.
E.F.I. introduced the concept of Ahilya Van in Indore through our project in Zone 7. Named in honor of the legendary Ahilyabai Holkar, Ahilya Van is an urban afforestation initiative launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).
How it started:
Fast forward to today, and we’ve established 7 thriving Ahilya Van sites and an eco-park, covering 13 acres with over 24,000 native saplings. These saplings have now grown into towering trees that serve as Indore’s “Green Lungs“, which improve air quality, provide a green cover and reduce Indore’s urban heat island effect.
Read More about E.F.I’s Ahilya Van
E.F.I thanks the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) for their continued support with Ahilya Van initiative and Restoration of Kanadiya Lakes.
Adding Blue to the Green: The Indore Water Story Series
Restoration of Kanadiya Lake
Know more about Kanadiya Lake 1
But the real stars of 2024 are the Kanadiya East and West Lakes, located just 510 meters from Kanadiya Lake. These lakes weren’t just “a little under the weather”—they were drowning in a sea of problems. Spanning 18 acres, these 9 acre lakes were like two waterlogged cousins.
The only water source for both was a farming field to the south. But due to water shortage, farmers had been forced to close the lakes’ outlets, shutting off its natural water flow. This not only led to siltation but also turned the lakes into the local garbage dump with a side of soil theft.
These water twins shared the same set of unfortunate issues:
- Overgrowth of invasive weeds
- Siltation increment
- Undulated lake surface
- Broken fence with fallen barbed wire
- Farming Encroachment
- Water blockage in catchment area
Overcoming the Odds: How E.F.I. Restored Kanadiya Lakes
A total of 4.5 acres of the lake surface was covered with invasive weeds, turning the lakes into a weed jungle. These weeds blocked sunlight, suffocating the native vegetation and fully were removed.
E.FI has excavated around 5 ft of accumulated silt and dug a 15-foot-wide trench across 1 acre, adding a hefty 10,000 cubic meters of water-holding capacity to give the lakes a much-needed drink! The excavated soil wasn’t just tossed aside—no, it was repurposed to strengthen the embankments, ensuring the lakes could hold their ground against future challenges.
The construction of embankments are beneficial for the villagers as it allows them to travel on the periphery of the lake area. But here’s the best part for nature enthusiasts: Kanadiya Lakes have become a birdwatcher’s paradise, attracting more than 90 species, including herons, storks and egrets.
Kanadiya Lakes After Restoration
The Kanadiya East and West Lakes are proof that with the right care, lakes can be revived, communities can benefit and biodiversity can flourish. Indore’s transformation into a Blue-Green city is just beginning—and it’s looking bright.
Kanadiya West Lake: After Restoration
Kanadiya East Lake: After Restoration
What’s Next for Indore?
Our latest technological addition to Indore has been the installation of solar-powered aerators to the Saraswati River, a significant step to enhance the river’s ecosystem and improve water quality. These innovative aerators not only utilize renewable energy sources but also promote oxygenation in the water, which is critical for supporting aquatic life.
As E.FI continues its blue-green restoration efforts across Indore, the goal is clear: to make the city a model for other urban areas looking to balance development with sustainability.
Volunteer for Indore and her Environment with E.F.I