Bandhwa Lake, located on the rapidly expanding outskirts of Raipur city, was once a vital freshwater ecosystem that supported surrounding agricultural lands and sustained diverse biodiversity. Over time, as urban development spread outward from the city, the lake became engulfed by dense residential settlements. Despite the pressure of urbanization, Bandhwa Lake continued to play a critical role in recharging groundwater and supporting nearby communities that depend on it. Years of neglect, however, gradually pushed the lake into ecological decline. Rampant growth of water hyacinth blanketed the water surface, excessive siltation reduced the lake’s depth and storage capacity, and accumulated waste and invasive vegetation destabilized the shoreline. These factors together choked the lake’s natural hydrological functions and suffocated aquatic life, turning what was once a thriving ecosystem into a stressed and degraded urban water body.
Recognizing its ecological and hydrological importance, under #BlueGreenRaipur restoration effort was undertaken with the support of the Raipur District Administration and Kotak Mahindra Bank, in collaboration with the Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I.), to revive Bandhwa Lake and restore its natural balance.
Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I