Conservation of Lakes, Water bodies
and Urban Forests in Cities

As a freshwater ecosystem, the water bodies perform vital ecological functions and provide essential environmental services. Water bodies provide drinking water, control urban flooding, support biodiversity, recharge groundwater aquifers and provide recreational and aesthetic space to the residents.

Urban forests support a more liveable and healthy environment in the cities. Trees improve air quality. Shade trees reduce temperature, and carefully chosen trees can reduce summer heating impacts.

Our scientific research, educational and community science projects inspire people to help in conservation efforts. Conservation of water bodies and urban forests needs to become mainstream in our ‘hearts’ and ‘minds’.

Scientific research, experiential learning, and skill development initiatives in Delhi NCR and Haryana

Projects and programmes implemented over the years:

  1. Conservation of water bodies and skill development initiative at Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in Haryana. A community weaves water hyacinth into eco-friendly products (programme initiative with Forests and Wildlife Department, Government of Haryana).
  2. Eco Weather Watch – a citizen science initiative with experts from the Indian Meteorological Society.
    • Experiential learning programmes on weather watch and micro-climate.
  3. Project Healthy Air – a community science programme to bring students (Air Quality Champions), teachers, scientists and meteorologists together to improve the air quality in and near the schools.
  4. Fresh Water Watch - Scientific research programme for the conservation of urban water bodies and freshwater ecosystems.

    Scientific Research Institution: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

  5. Teach Earth – a programme to inspire teachers to bring environment education to life. This initiative was in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Government of N.C.T. of Delhi.
  6. Capacity building programme for teachers in government schools for teaching science through a citizen science approach and peer-to-peer collaborative inquiry-based learning. This programme was in collaboration with the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan.

Conservation of lakes and water bodies in Mumbai

Projects and programmes implemented over the years:

Rejuvenation of blue (water bodies) and green spaces in Metropolitan Mumbai through the implementation of environmental technologies.

  • Powai Lake - Constructed Wetland technology (an eco-centric technology) to treat waste water.
  • Kinetic model for horizontal sub-surface flow Constructed Wetland (CW) based on R&D work.

Scientific Research Institution: Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology - IIT Bombay.

“We are delighted to work with Earthwatch Institute India, whose work in citizen science and experiential learning is pioneering and well known. Our scientific research programme is aimed at the rejuvenation of Powai Lake and Banganga Lake. Our research and conservation project with Earthwatch Institute India will hopefully bring together our researchers, citizens, students and teachers as well as policymakers and regulators to enhance the connect between those lakes and the green spaces around the respective ecosystems.“

Professor Shyam R. Asolekar, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay.

Conservation of lakes, water bodies and green spaces in Bengaluru

Projects and programmes implemented over the years:

  1. Lakes of Bengaluru as drivers of an enriched blue (water bodies) and green cityscape.
    • Estimating physio-chemical characteristics and nutrient assimilation.
  2. Urban forests of Bengaluru – Citizens’ engagement for a green city.
    • Increase scientific understanding of the response of natural vegetation to changing climate with an emphasis on urban trees.
  3. Biodiversity of blue (water bodies) and green spaces in Bengaluru.

Scientific Research Institution: Indian Institute of Science IISc., Bengaluru.
The scientists and experts who were associated with the projects and programmes, from time to time, over the years:
Professor S. M. Rao, Professor Monto Moni, Dr. Manish Arora, Dr. Gururaja K.V. and Dr. Indu K Murthy.

“We are extremely pleased to work with Earthwatch Institute India, who are undisputed pioneers in citizen science and experiential learning. Our research project with them is an excellent platform to bring researchers, citizens and students to address, understand and recommend solutions to problems pertaining to Lakes of Bengaluru. The experiential learning should create knowledge, awareness and insight on the role of science and society to conserve and restore urban water bodies.”

Professor S. M. Rao, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science IISc., Bengaluru.

Conservation of lakes, water bodies and green spaces in Hyderabad

Projects and programmes implemented over the years:

  1. Urban lakes programme.
    • Use of remote sensing and GIS technology for the scientific research programme on lakes.
    • Assess the water quality of groundwater.
    • Develop awareness for the conservation of the freshwater ecosystem.
  2. Spatiotemporal effects of urbanization on surface water bodies and its impact on soil and vegetation.
    • Scientific research on the quality of lake water, its effects on soil and buffer vegetation.
    • Study of soil characteristics such as soil moisture and texture during pre and post-monsoon period.
    • Design and construct floating floriculture for lake conservation.
    • Demonstrative artificial rainwater recharge structures to harvest surplus rainwater.
    • Skill development training programmes on innovative rainwater harvesting techniques.

    3. Scientific Research Institution: Centre for Water Resources, Institute of Science and Technology, JNTU, Hyderabad.

  3. Environment education programme on the urban freshwater ecosystem with Green Corps and school network.

    4. Educational Institution: C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC) (A Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment,
    Forests and Climate Change, Government of India).

  4. Educational programme on environment and forests.

    5. Educational Institution: Centre for People’s Forestry.

“Our research project with Earthwatch Institute India aims to focus on restoration and rejuvenation of lakes with an
environmental-friendly system.”

Professor M.V.S.S. Giridhar, Centre for Water Resources, Institute of Science and Technology, JNTU, Hyderabad.

Conservation of wetland in Kolkata

Projects and programmes implemented over the years:

  1. Impact of changes in water use pattern on aquatic flora at East Kolkata Wetland (Ramsar Site).
    • Study and document biodiversity.
    • Study trends in water use patterns and seasonal variations in water quality.

    Educational Institution: Nature Environment and Wildlife Society.

  2. Citizen science and experiential learning programmes for fisherfolk communities at East Kolkata Wetland.
    • Participatory learning methods.
    • Study key environmental sustainability elements related to water, soil and livelihood.

Scientific Research Institution: South Asian Forum for Environment.