HYDERABAD: Live the Lakes, an initiative of Society for Advancement of Human Endeavour (SAHE), has taken up tree plantation at the Lake Bund of the model a model Lake Restoration Project at Kudikunta Lake, Masjid Banda, Kondapur here in the city on the occasion of World Environment Day. It was taken up in association with GHMC, Pernod Ricard India Charitable Foundation, Jain Heritage School, Kondapur and ZPHS School in Kondapur.
Kalapana Ramesh, an activist on the initiative while addressing the gathering said that Hyderabad was home 800 lakes and most of them disappeared. Only 185 lakes are alive and kicking. But, they are not in good condition.
We have to revive them. Our lakes are dying and there is nothing we are doing about it, she said. If you have sufficient water for your daily needs you are rich. If there is any 3rd World War breaks, it will be over water, Kalpana Ramesh informed. Nearly 28000 people live within the one kilometer radius of the lake. If each one donates Rs 100/- for the lake restoration, it not only saves the lake, restores and beautifies it, Kalpana said.
Many Real Estate Companies promote “Lake View Apartments”, but, they don’t come forward to rescue lakes. It is the time that they think about saving lakes, speakers who spoke on the occasion added.Viivek Verma, of the founders of SAHE said, “the water steams are supposed to charge the lake with the rainwater have been cut off in the bling urban development.
On top of that, there is rampant pollution damaging the lakes. SAHE’s Live the Lakes, in association with the Government of Telangana, GHMC and Pernod Ricard India Charitable Foundation have structured the first ever Lake Protection committee that includes the Government, Citizens and Corporates working together for the common cause. The results are truly encouraging he added.
Some of the works done were, “Improving the quality of the water”, “Bio-oxidation”, “Solar Powered Aerators were installed on a floating island will aerate the water with Oxygen. We have also improved the lake surroundings, Viivek Verma added.Students and 200 volunteers of SAHE participated in the tree plantation drive. Later they all assembled at the Jain Heritage Cambridge School at Kondapur to mark and celebrate the World Environment Day---A day Goodness. Students of Government School—ZPHS Kondapur performed at dance drama on Rivers.
Later a film made by SAHE on how they have been working on the initiative “Live the Lakes” was shown. Renowned Bharathanatyam Dancer Kiranmayee performed a contemporary dance on the journey of water “Porous Earth”.
Wear the earth
To commemorate the occasion, Reliance Industries has launched a special T-shirt, branded ‘The Earth Tee’ and designed by renowned fashion designer Anita Dongre, under its unique programme – ‘Fashion for Earth’. The idea is to nudge people to switch to fashion that not only enhances aesthetics but also help conserve the environment and our planet.
Plants are our only Plan B
Heartfulness Institute heralded World Environment Day by embarking on a mission to create a rainforest in Kanha Shantivanam, Kanha Village, Kothur Manda. Forest Officials from Telanagana and e mployees of Google India Hyderabad planted the saplings at Kanha Shantivanam. 300 saplings of the rarest and endangered species were planted today as part of the creation of rainforest, at the Global headquarters of Heartfulness. Daaji, The Global Guide of Heartfulness, also took part in the event. The campus is already known for resurrecting plants that were cut on the highways and planted in their premises.
Clean vehicles, clean air
Society of Indian Automobiles Manufacturers celebrated World Environment Day by offering free pollution check-up of vehicles, saplings distribution and plantation at Phoenix Motors Pvt. Ltd. (Dealership of Hero Moto Corp), Habsiguda in Hyderabad. Phoenix Motors said it completed the free pollution check of around 425 vehicles on Tuesday.