BlueDot Foundation revives Bengaluru lakes to ease water crisis
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Harsha Tej founded BlueDot Foundation in Bengaluru, India, after leaving a corporate job to dedicate himself to environmental conservation.
Tej, who grew up in agriculture, applies his knowledge of soil and water to restore lakes and improve water retention. He and his team have revived 18 lakes and recently inaugurated Thimmakka Lake at the CRPF campus in Yelahanka, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut, present at the opening.
BlueDot Foundation begins each restoration project with detailed studies to understand the specific challenges facing each lake. They use techniques like photogrammetry to map landscapes, remove accumulated silt and sewage, plant native trees, and create wetlands to filter water. These methods aim to increase water storage capacity and support healthy ecosystems. The foundation also promotes rainwater harvesting to combat Bengaluru’s water shortages. They encourage residents to install harvesting pits, which cost between ₹25,000 and ₹1 lakh, to recharge groundwater supplies.
Tej believes that if Bengaluru widely adopted rainwater harvesting, the city could become water-positive in two to three years. BlueDot funds its projects primarily through corporate social responsibility programs, and monitors restored lakes for up to three years to ensure their long-term health.
