Once affected by sewage, garbage dumping, water hyacinth, and siltation, Neknampur Lake is being restored through a blend of nature-based solutions, scientific restoration, and community participation.

Our mission is to restore water quality, strengthen biodiversity, and create sustainable green surroundings—transforming a once-degraded waterbody into a thriving urban ecosystem once again.

📍 Project Snapshot:

• Location: Neknampur, Manikonda, Hyderabad
• Started: 2016 – Ongoing Conservation
• Focus: Lake Restoration & Biodiversity Conservation
• Key Interventions: Floating Treatment Wetlands, Bioremediation, Desilting & Plantation
• Location Link:https://share.google/5o5SIWciqmoIm5djZ
  
   

  1. Phased Cleanup & Waste Management

  The initial hurdle was clearing massive legacy waste dumps and stopping the influx of debris. Partnering with local government bodies and the district collectorate, illegal dumping was halted, and stormwater channels were cleared to improve rainwater harvesting. Regular weekend clean-up drives mobilized volunteers, school children, and local residents to remove plastics, which were systematically sorted for recycling.

  2. Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) & Phytoremediation

  To combat sewage pollution naturally without relying on expensive chemical treatment plants, Dhruvansh pioneered biological filters:

  • The Floating Island: They installed India’s largest man-made Floating Treatment Wetland on the lake. Anchored islands built using bamboo, recycled plastic bottles, and mats housed thousands of specialized native plants—such as Vetiver, Canna, and reeds.

  • Nutrient Absorption: As these plants grew, their extensive root systems extended into the water column, absorbing excess nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals.

  • Bioremediation & Aeration: Floating mechanical aerators were introduced to drastically boost dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, breaking down organic pollutants and eliminating foul odors.

  3. Mitigating Cultural Siltation

  To prevent festival-related pollution—specifically plaster of Paris and toxic chemical paints from annual idol immersions—the team constructed a dedicated immersion pond (Koneru). This structural separation ensured that festival siltation no longer choked or toxified the main lake body.

  4. Biodiversity and Green Buffers

  Massive plantation drives introduced over 5,000 native saplings along the lake’s banks to stabilize shorelines, prevent soil erosion, and act as a natural filter for surface runoff. Leaf litter, garden waste, and aquatic weeds removed from the lake were converted into nutrient-rich compost on-site. This enabled the establishment of flourishing organic vegetable and fruit patches managed by the local community.

  5. Socio-Economic Sustainability & Impact

  Dhruvansh embedded a self-sustaining loop by integrating local livelihoods, such as introducing fish populations (pisciculture) for biological control and economic value. The site transformed into an open-air ecological laboratory for students and researchers.

  Today, Neknampur Lake functions as a healthy ecological “kidney” for the local landscape. Water quality has dramatically improved, groundwater tables have recharged, and the transformed habitat now hosts a rich biodiversity, including over 170 species of birds, multiple reptile species (such as monitor lizards and terrapins), and more than 130 floral varieties.