Pioneering Water Stewardship Across Neighborhoods
Water scarcity has become a critical challenge for the bustling city of Hyderabad, with its rapidly growing population and ever-increasing demand for this precious resource. However, amid this grim scenario, a group of passionate individuals and community-driven organizations have emerged as beacons of hope, pioneering innovative water conservation initiatives that are transforming neighborhoods and inspiring others to follow suit.
Rainwater Harvesting: A Grassroots Approach
At the forefront of Hyderabad’s water conservation efforts is Kalpana Ramesh, an architect by profession and a water warrior by passion. Recognizing the alarming depletion of groundwater levels in her community, Kalpana embarked on a mission to promote rainwater harvesting as a viable solution.
“I realized that the amount of water being purchased from tankers in my community was staggering. This prompted me to start propagating the advantages of rainwater harvesting.”
Kalpana’s unwavering commitment led her to oversee the creation of recharge pits and land contours in her neighborhood, gradually reducing the community’s dependence on water tankers. Inspired by this success, she began spreading the wisdom of rainwater harvesting to other communities and schools across Hyderabad.
Kalpana’s efforts did not stop there. Recognizing the dire state of Hyderabad’s lakes, she launched the “Live the Lakes” initiative, aiming to revive 62 lakes in the Serilingampally region. Through collaboration with local NGOs, schools, and community groups, Kalpana’s vision has been to transform these vital water bodies into vibrant hubs of biodiversity and community engagement.
Reviving Defunct Borewells
Kalpana’s dedication to water conservation extends beyond rainwater harvesting. Concerned by the number of defunct borewells in Hyderabad, she spearheaded the “Save10kBores” initiative, which has successfully revived over 2,000 abandoned wells, restoring groundwater recharge and providing a reliable water source for families.
“While working on the ‘Save10kBores’ initiative, I noticed that Hyderabad’s lakes were dying a slow death due to pollution or contamination. This prompted me to start the ‘Live the Lakes’ project, with the vision of reviving 62 lakes in Serilingampally.”
Kalpana’s multi-pronged approach to water conservation has not only addressed the immediate water crisis but has also fostered a sense of community ownership and responsibility. By empowering residents to take an active role in protecting and managing their local water resources, she has paved the way for a sustainable and resilient water future for Hyderabad.
Citizen Science and Awareness
Sahithi Pingali, a young water crusader from Hyderabad, has also made significant contributions to the city’s water conservation efforts. Recognizing the need for data-driven solutions, Sahithi developed a mobile application to collect crowdsourced information on the city’s polluted and foaming lakes.
“My journey started with the change-making initiative of my school, Inventure Academy – ‘Our Lake, Our Voice’. It was at this initiative that I conducted an experimental case study on the foaming of Varthur Lake.”
Sahithi’s application, which won her accolades globally, has enabled the collection of valuable data on the state of Hyderabad’s water bodies, informing policymakers and inspiring further action. By harnessing the power of citizen science, Sahithi has played a pivotal role in raising awareness and driving change.
Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Solutions
The water conservation movement in Hyderabad has also seen the emergence of collaborative initiatives that bring together various stakeholders, from community members to government agencies and NGOs.
The Paani Panchayat Model
One such successful collaborative effort is the Paani Panchayat model, which has been implemented in several villages in the Telangana region, including Hyderabad’s rural outskirts. These water resource management councils, often led by Dalit women, focus on creating new water sources, reviving old ones, and conserving natural water bodies through the use of traditional and modern technologies.
“The focus of these Paani Panchayats is to create more water resources, revive old ones, and conserve natural water bodies with the help of traditional and modern technology.”
The Paani Panchayat model, supported by organizations like Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, has empowered communities to take ownership of their water resources and develop sustainable management strategies tailored to their local needs.
Aquifer-Level Interventions
In the coastal areas of Hyderabad, residents have also been involved in an ambitious aquifer management project, mapping and carefully managing their groundwater resources. This collaborative effort, involving the community, government agencies, and NGOs, has helped several villages in the region meet their drinking water needs, even during periods of severe drought.
“A total of 300 villages of four talukas on the coastal area of Abdasa, Mandvi, Mundra, and Anjar are involved in an aquifer management project for the past 4 years. This summer has shown a marked difference in several, if not all, villages that are part of the network.”
By empowering communities to understand and manage their aquifers, this project has demonstrated the power of local ownership and collective action in addressing water scarcity challenges.
Scaling Up and Inspiring Change
The water conservation initiatives in Hyderabad have not only transformed local communities but have also inspired replication and scaling across the state of Telangana and beyond.
Mission Kakatiya: Reviving Traditional Water Bodies
The Government of Telangana, recognizing the importance of community-driven water conservation, has launched the flagship “Mission Kakatiya” program. This ambitious initiative aims to de-silt, revive, and restore the state’s network of minor irrigation tanks, ponds, and lakes, with the tagline “Mana Ooru, Mana Cheruvu” (Our Village, Our Pond).
“Under Mission Kakatiya phase-II, 10,184 tanks have been identified, of which 9,031 were approved for revival at a cost of Rs 3,071 crore. Work has begun at 8,272 tanks. Official estimates show that so far, 10 crore cubic meters of silt have been removed, creating 3.77 TMC of water storage in the revived tanks and ponds.”
By empowering communities to take ownership of these traditional water bodies, Mission Kakatiya has not only increased water storage capacity but has also revived cultural practices and fostered a sense of collective responsibility for water resources.
Spreading the Water Conservation Message
The water conservation success stories from Hyderabad and Telangana have also inspired other regions to adopt similar community-driven approaches. Initiatives like the “Paani Panchayat” model and aquifer management projects have been replicated in drought-affected districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of these solutions.
“Several villages in six districts (Mahbubnagar, Ranga Reddy, Warangal, Medak, Karimnagar, and Adilabad) of Telangana are also piloting the participatory groundwater management programme, learning from the success in Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh.”
As these initiatives continue to expand and inspire others, Hyderabad’s water conservation movement serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing the transformative power of community engagement and grassroots action in addressing the critical water challenges faced by urban centers across India.
