In 2019, Anand Malligavad founded the Malligavad Foundation to revitalise the lakes of Bengaluru. The fear of Bengaluru becoming a zero-water city due to lack of maintenance is what invigorated Mr. Malligavad to retire from his corporate life and turn to full time environmental conservationism, which eventually earned him the title ‘Lake Man of India’.
(Picture credits: Curly Tales)
He began his lake restoration work by visiting lakes, studying their condition, and analysing the causes behind the deterioration of Bengaluru’s water bodies. and this non-profit has been instrumental in the restoration of nearly 35 lakes. Some of the prominent ones including Mylasandra, Kasanahalli and Sampigehalli Lake. Drawing on his expertise in mechanical engineering, he developed a low-cost and minimal-technology model for lake rejuvenation. His approach focused on removing debris and silt from lakes, with the extracted silt later being used to create small islands for migratory birds.
The foundation works in collaboration with corporate entities such as Airbus and Nexus Group, along with NGOs, neighbouring state governments, and government think tanks to secure funding and accelerate restoration projects. Anand is particularly known for the speed and efficiency of his work. While conventional lake restoration projects usually take one to three years and require investments of Rs 10–15 crores, his model completes restoration within 90 days at a cost of less than Rs 1 crore.
Alongside lake rejuvenation, the foundation also undertakes environmental conservation measures such as tree plantation and wetland creation. More than 5,000 plants and 38,000 saplings, including fruit-bearing, medicinal, and native species, have been planted to improve biodiversity. Grasslands made of bamboo and native grasses help prevent soil erosion, while Miyawaki forests containing dense combinations of trees, shrubs, and herbs have also been developed around lakes.
Mr. Anand has repeatedly expressed his goal which is to rejuvenate 45 more lakes by 2025 and plant at least 5 lakh trees. I want to make this city lush green and wetland. In his journey of lake rejuvenation his commitment to restoration using innovative yet cost efficient methods has garnered national and international recognition and has been featured in the BBC, New York Times and more. The foundation stands as a substantial example for technological integration with human efforts in successful lake restoration.
References
- Malligavad Foundation Saving Lakes | Malligavad Foundation
- Meet mechanical engineer Anand Malligavad, who left his job to revive Bengaluru’s dying lakes, Indian Express, January 17, 2022
- Who Is Bengaluru’s Lake Man? Meet Anand Malligavad Who Restored 35 Lakes, Times Now, September 25, 2023, “Who Is Bengaluru’s Lake Man? Meet Anand Malligavad Who Restored 35 Lakes | Times Now”
- India’s Lake Man relies on Ancient Methods to Ease a Water Crisis, New York Times, September 23, 2023, “India’s ‘Lake Man’ Relies on Ancient Methods to Ease a Water Crisis - The New York Times”
About the author
Ada Khan is an undergradaute student at the Department of Political Science, Public Policy, Media Studies, Mount Carmel College, Bengalur
