1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Hyderabad
Region
Asia
Native title of the NBS intervention
Ibrahim Cheruvu Lake
Short description of the intervention
Neknampur Lake, also known as Ibrahim Bagh Cheruvu, located in Hyderabad, Telangana State of India, has historical importance and was part of a water reservoir network for irrigation and drinking as well as an inalienable part of the rural ecology of the village (1,2). Due to urbanization, the lake underwent drastic changes in ecology, land use and management in the past decade. Scientific investigations conducted by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board on Neknampur Lake highlighted that the water body was full of sludge and extremely eutrophicated, showing elevated algal growth (2). This was mainly because of the unabated entry of sewage and other waste over an extended period into the lake (1,2). In June 2016, The NGO named 'Dhruvansh' decided to adopt Neknampur Lake and thus began a series of interventions that incorporated bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques, regular cleanup drives of plastic removal and recycling campaigns into a restoration plan for the lake (1,2). With the support of the government institutions, 'Dhruvansh' began the revival of the lake across two phases: (1) the revival of the lake periphery and the lake body, followed by (2) the revival of the lake ecosystem (1,2). The ecological restoration of Neknampur Lake has improved the ecological services it provides and restores the glory of this historically significant lake, now known as a biodiversity hotspot (1,2,3,4).
Address

Telangana
Hyderabad 500075
India

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (78.377844027888 17.386235072638)
POINT (78.378935788248 17.385109420433)
POINT (78.378899974214 17.38442700419)
POINT (78.376986400364 17.383275694995)
POINT (78.374636318715 17.383048392052)
POINT (78.374477003638 17.38422850023)
POINT (78.37556944988 17.383634827128)
POINT (78.376715001148 17.385147965744)
POINT (78.377522875138 17.38567285615)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google Earth Pro Image, Available at https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ibrahim+Cheruvu/@17.3849842,78.3739589,16.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3bcb94255e72d1d1:0x9c8ff37e0d0d5ef!8m2!3d17.3844895!4d78.377577 (accessed 24.01.2023)
Total area
395904.00m²
NBS area
395904.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Website of the intervention
https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2020/04/24/solution11006/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2016
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2016
End date of the intervention
2018
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
The organization 'Dhruvansh' with this project had the following objectives:
1. To develop and implement a restoration plan for Neknampur lake by integrating wetland management techniques.
2. To create a low-cost sustainable model for the restoration of the lake by using traditional and technological methods.
3. To develop Neknampur lake as a knowledge hub for school students, a research project for college students and a recreational place.
4. To raise awareness regarding the importance of the lake and its ecosystem.
5. To provide a source of livelihood to the local community (1,2,3,4)
Quantitative targets
- Plantation of 5,000 saplings of various trees on the lake periphery.
- Installation of 3 fountains for bottom aeration and construction of 5 sediment basins around the lake.
- Installation of a 232 sq.m. floating island with 3,500 wetland plants (1,2)
Monitoring indicators defined
- The number of sampling trees (2)
- Total area (in sqm) of installed floating islands (2)
- The number of wetland plants (2)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Green space creation and/or management
Water management (SDG 6)
Improvements to water quality
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Environmental education
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Employment/job creation
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore ecological connectivity
Public engagement
Implementation activities
The following implementation activities were undertaken to conserve the lake: planting, cleaning, desilting, catchment area treatment, fringe area protection, solid waste management, installation of floating treatment wetlands, implementation of phytoremediation techniques, removal of aquatic weed systems and composting (1,2).
A stormwater treatment pond at the inlet was constructed to restrict the direct input of sludge and metals and to inactivate phosphorous. A separate pond for idol immersion was created to keep the lake water free from the harmful materials coming with the idol. Furthermore, biological control methods are employed to control the growth of aquatic weeds in rejuvenation practices. For aeration, three fountains were installed using sludge motors along with one subsurface diffuser for bottom aeration and six floating aerators of two horsepower. A sedimentation basin and a floating treatment island were created as well. Several other activities take place on a weekly basis at the lake, such as cleaning drives, cultural programmes, pottery workshops and bird watching. Institutions that are affiliated with certain activities conducted at the lake include 1. WWF Telangana, 2. People for Animals, 3. Snake for Shelter, 4. Helping Hands, 5. Hyderabad Birding Pals (1,2).
Other actions were undertaken as part of the Neknampur Lake restoration initiative through co-governance (governmental and non-governmental bodies) :
- Planting drives under the Haritha Haram (Telangana State's afforestation program) and HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority) plantation scheme
- Cleaning of garbage and installing electric poles at the lake
- Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank of 21m width and 2m depth.
- Introduced 20,000 fish in the lake to support bioremediation.
- Introduction of barbed wire fencing at the lake
- Introduction of the first floating (wetland) island (3mx3m) at the lake
- 32 awareness programs on the importance of the lake and its ecosystem
- Awareness about the annual distribution of Clay Ganesha idols, its material awareness and facts about Ganesh Festival (1,2)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Protection of natural ecosystems
Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Riverbank/Lakeside greens
Please specify "other blue area"
Lake bank greenery (Ref 1)
Vegetation Type
Grass
Shrubs
Trees
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
5000 saplings (Ref 1)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Educational or biodiversity trails
Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)
Viewing and outlook points
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Water purification / filtration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The Neknampur Lake restoration initiative was led by Madhulika Choudhary and her NGO named 'Dhruvansh' with the support of various government institutions such as the Manikonda Municipality, the State Irrigation Department, Ranga Reddy District Collector, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), Telangana Fisheries Department and Telangana State Biodiversity Board.

The different types of actions taken as part of the initiative and the actors involved are as follows:

Strategies/plans/policies: Planting drives under the Haritha Haram and HMDA plantation scheme were undertaken by Dhruvansh, TREDA SS Green Community Members, Grampanchayat Neknampur, CI Narsingi, schools and colleges.

Governance/organisational:
Regular monitoring and testing of the water is done by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board.
Cleaning garbage and installing electric poles at the lake is the responsibility of the Collectorate of Rangareddy district, together with Dhruvansh.
Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank is done by the Collectorate, Irrigation department and GHMC.
The introduction of fish in the lake to support bioremediation is done by the Fishery Department.
Stakeholder engagement is done by the SS Green Community.

Financial/Fiscal measures are the responsible of the Rangareddy District Collectorate.
Technical and technological measures are done by the HMDA and TSPCB.

Awareness raising was conducted by Dhruvansh between 2016-2018. (1, 2)
Key actors - initiating organization
Non-government organisation/civil society
Land owners
No information found
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
Researchers/university
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Co-management/Joint management
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
No
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
The intervention is initiated and led by an NGO that decided to adopt the area in response to its condition. It is not explicitly stated whether the intervention at Neknampur Lake was influenced by a regional or local regulation, strategy, or plan. However, the government institutions provided support to the NGO "Dhruvansh" for the lake revival, suggesting involvement or support from the local government, including economic support (in form of salaries) (2). The lake restoration process has also been scaled up to other lakes, indicating recognition and support from a higher level of governance as well (1).
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Please specify other vegetation type
Aquatic plants (Ref 1)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
No
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Not NBS specific, but scientific investigations conducted by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board on Neknampur Lake highlighted that the water body was full of sludge and extremely eutrophicated, showing elevated algal growth. (2)
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Economic support has come from the local governments (municipality and district), which pay regular monthly salaries to the staff and bear some of the maintenance costs. Specifically, here was a funding of ca EUR 2000 for lake cleaning in 2017 that was released by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) (1). The Rangareddy District Collectorate also took care of the monthly salaries for 11 staff and a monthly maintenance budget (1). Hiring locals for maintenance also facilitates a degree of local ownership. (2)
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
The project involves monthly maintenance cost of approximately €2,560 (2). (1 USD=0.94 EUR)
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
The total cost of the project was €46,552 (2). (1 USD=0.94 EUR)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Public regional budget
Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer)
Type of innovation
Technological
Process innovation
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Economic innovation
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The implementation of the project is both the process and infrastructural innovation.
Process Innovation: A two-phase restoration plan was followed, firstly in the lake periphery and then in the lake ecosystem, which includes the introduction of fish in the lake to support bioremediation and the use of dredging utility craft to dredge the lake and remove aquatic weeds and other residues. Composting of various waste materials like leaf litter, aquatic and ground weed, and garden waste was also used and regular cleanup drives and recycling campaigns were incorporated into the lake restoration plan. The creation of Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) was very innovative as these are low-cost solutions engineered to boost the natural process that occurs in an aquatic ecosystem between water, plants and microorganisms in order to passively remove pollutants from wastewater and stormwater. (2)
Infrastructural Innovation: Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank of 21m width and 2m depth, the introduction of the first floating island and India’s biggest human-made floating island (1, 2).
Please specify social innovation
Economic innovation: The lake restoration has provided income generation opportunities for lower classes, women, and the elderly through fishing, vegetable and papaya gardens, composting eco-tourism, and other activities. Additionally, the project has been recognized with national water awards and three state-level awards, showcasing its success and scalability as a low-budget program to protect lakes. (1)

Governance innovation: Collaboration between the government institutions and Dhruvansh, an NGO, in the restoration initiative (1, 2, 3)

Cultural innovation: The involvement of the entire community, including school students and women, in planting and cleaning drives and the significance of lakes in the Hindu religion, has led to a change in the cultural attitudes towards the lake and its protection. The restoration project has ensured the participation of all sections of society, leading to increased social inclusion. Clay Ganesha idols were annually distributed at the lake, and awareness support was provided about the Ganesh Festival by Dhruvansh with HMDA support, which combines religious, cultural, social and environmental awareness around the lake. (1, 2).
Novelty level of the innovation
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The implementation steps, solutions, involvement, and organization of the work are not novel in general but were a new approach locally. However, the information provided in the texts does not specify whether the Neknampur Lake restoration initiative is copied/derived from previous initiatives, is completely new without connections to previous initiatives, or is a combination of both with substantial adaptation. It is ambiguous.
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Three more lakes have been revitalized in other cities with this low-cost remediation process (1).
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Environmental quality
Improved waste management
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
Increased biodiversity and restoration of ecosystems: The lake now hosts 178 species of birds, 12 species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, varied species of insects, and 20,000 fish, which is presented as an improvement in the sources, although specific data before the intervention is not available. Furthermore, the newly created floating island occupies an area of 557 m2 with 7,000 saplings. (2). In the absence of
the initiative, in a business-as-usual scenario, the lake would likely have completely disappeared. The project saved the lake from eutrophication and encroachment. Additionally, continuous restoration activities are expected to keep the ecosystem of the lake and the surrounding in check. (1)

Improved water quality: Dissolved oxygen improved considerably while Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and other nutrient inputs have decreased (1).

Increased groundwater recharge: executed by keeping surface water clean and protecting step-wells at the lake, minimizing groundwater pollution (2).

Waste management: With the establishment of a small-scale waste-to-wealth setup (composting and recycling unit) as part of the Neknampur Lake restoration initiative, the community-based collection of waste has improved in the area. (2)

Economic impacts
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Generation of income from NBS
Description of economic benefits
Not only has the project led to an increase in aquatic biodiversity and conversion of sewage water into freshwater, but 11 jobs were created and volunteering was incentivized. The compost generated from the maintenance of the aquatic weeds is sold to local flower shops and nurseries. Further, micro-initiatives such as the upcycling of solid waste collected from the lake cleaning, the development of a mini-vegetable patch irrigated by the lake water, and the manufacture of pots and bricks from the desilted lake clay have also been taken up to generate some revenue. (1, 2)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social cohesion: The initiative involved different stakeholders including the local community and schools, as well as the mixing of various demographic groups, leading to improved social cohesion.

Increased public awareness and involvement: achieved through various awareness programs and volunteer activities on weekends for people of all ages and genders contributing to shared values, and improved social cohesion, and interaction. The lake now provides a source of livelihood to the locals who are employed to maintain the plants and lake.

Increased knowledge: developing the lake as a knowledge hub for school students and a research project for college students, exploring areas such as solar subsurface aerators, foam treatment, floating islands, etc. At least 35 institutions visit it regularly for education and research. The lake serves as a knowledge hub for locals, increasing their awareness of local nature, sense of place, and its connection to religious events. 32 awareness-raising programs were conducted by Dhruvansh between 2016-2018 on the importance of the lake and its ecosystem.

The lake has been restored with a significant amount of greenery, providing a higher-quality green space.
This has increased recreational opportunities for the local residents and tourists. (1,2)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
- The number of species of plants and animals present in the lake (2)
- The size of the lake's catchment area (2)
- Quality of water in the lake (2)
- Increased volunteer activities on weekends (2)
- Conversion of sewage water into fresh water (2)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Paid employment positions
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Organization Link
Description of Organization and Project by Equator Initiative UNDP
List of references
1. Equator Initiative UNDP. Dhruvansh Organization, available at https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2020/04/24/solution11006/ (accessed 06-01-2023)
2. Fernandes, Rithika. Panwar, Vishakha. Sen, Monalisa. (2022). Nature-based Solutions for urban climate resilience in South Asia: Cases from Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. ICLEI South Asia, available at https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/NbS%20Compendium_Nov%202022_final_web.pdf (accessed 06-01-2023)
3. Rajpal, Seema. (2019). Lady of the Lakes: How Madhulika Choudhary is saving Hyderabad's water bodies. Hyderabad: Edex Live, available at https://www.edexlive.com/40-under-40/2019/jun/10/after-making-neknampur-lake-a-biodiversity-hotspot-madhulika-choudhary-through--dhruvansh-is-mobi-6552.html (accessed 06-01-2023)
4. Gibson, Lucy. (2020). Neknampur Lake - Lake Restoration, Water Story. Lakes of India, available at https://lakesofindia.com/2020/11/05/neknampur-lake/ (accessed 06-01-2023)
Comments and notes
Comments
1. Project Implementation Phases:
Phase 1: Revival of the lake body and periphery by undertaking steps like Phytoremediation (around 5,000 saplings of various trees), Composting of organic material, A stormwater treatment pond, Separate pond for idol immersion (2)
Phase 2: Revival of the lake ecosystem by undertaking steps like Biological treatment, Aeration of lake water, Sediment basins, Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) - installation of 232 m2 floating island with 3,500 wetland plants (2)

2. Financial Aspects of the project (2)

3. Impact of the project (1,2)
Additional insights
This project was led by Madhulika Choudhary and her NGO named 'Dhruvansh' and was supported by various government institutions such as the Manikonda Municipality, the State Irrigation Department, Ranga Reddy District Collector, Hyderabad Metropolitan, Development Authority (HMDA), State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), Telangana Fisheries Department and Telangana State Biodiversity Board (1,2).

Type of action, implementation actions undertaken (as mentioned earlier), and actors involved:
-Strategies/plans/policies: Planting drives under the Haritha Haram and HMDA plantation scheme were undertaken - By Dhruvansh, TREDA SS Green Community Members, Grampanchayat Neknampur, CI Narsingi, 11 schools and two colleges (1,2).
-Governance/organisational: 1. Regular monitoring and testing of the water - By Telangana State Pollution Control Board. 2. Cleaning garbage and installing electric poles at the lake - The Collectorate of Rangareddy district, together with Dhruvansh. 3. Installation of Telangana’s biggest tank of 21m width and 2m depth - The Collectorate, Irrigation department and GHMC. 4. Introduction of 20,000 fish in the lake to support bioremediation - The Fishery Department (1,2).
-Stakeholder engagement: Barbed wire fencing was introduced at the lake - By the SS Green Community (1,2)
-Financial/Fiscal measures: Monthly salaries for 11 staff and a monthly maintenance budget - By the Rangareddy District Collectorate (1,2)
-Technical and technological measures: 1. Dredging utility craft to dredge the lake and remove aquatic weeds and Ganesh idol residue - By the HMDA. 2. Introduction of the first floating island (3mx3m) at the lake - with support of HMDA and TSPCB (1,2)
-Awareness raising: 1. 32 awareness programmes about lake importance and its ecosystem - conducted by Dhruvansh between 2016-2018. (1,2)

This restoration is an example of a low-cost sustainable model that can easily be replicated where funds are a constraint. In fact, lack of funding was the main driver for innovation within the project, which motivated cheaper, outside-the-box solutions. Furthermore, the project has also begun to convert waste collected from the lake into opportunities for wealth, reusing material like discarded cloth for banners, upcycling coconuts into pots, flowers into bio-enzyme cleaners, converting collected clay and silt into flowerpots and bricks, etc. Recyclables collected are also sold. The main requirement in terms of funding, in this case, is a budget for maintenance without which the lake will revert to its original state. (2)
Public Images
Floating treatment wetland technique being applied in the lake in which aquatic plants known to absorb pollutants are planted.
Floating treatment wetland technique being applied in the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary - Dhruvansh
Safe re-use of the nutrients and organic matter contained in the aquatic weed material
Removal of aquatic weeds from the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary
Plantation activity
Plantations undertaken along the periphery of the lake
By Madhulika Sharma Choudhary - Dhruvansh
Once a dumpyard, this Hyderabad lake is now a hub for eco-friendly events
Neknampur lake now as an recreational space and hub eco-friendly events.
By Rajeshwari Parasa - The News Minute (2021)