Breathing Life Back into Chennai’s Lakes
At Hand in Hand India, we believe that true sustainability begins at the grassroots. This is evident in Chennai, where 2 neglected lakes – Tondiarpet Lake and Basin Bridge Lake have found new life through the Chennai Lake Ecological Restoration Project (CLERP).
With generous funding support from Gurukrupa Foundation, we set out on a mission not just to restore 2 water bodies, but to reimagine how urban ecosystems can work for people, wildlife, and the climate together.
Why Lakes Matter More Than Ever
In cities like Chennai, lakes are not just natural assets, they are lifelines. They store water, recharge groundwater, reduce flood risks, support biodiversity, and offer critical green space. However, years of neglect, encroachments, and pollution had turned these vital water bodies into environmental hazards.
That’s where CLERP stepped in.
Tondiarpet Lake: From Forgotten Wetland to Thriving Urban Oasis
Spanning 40.87 hectares, Tondiarpet Lake had become heavily silted and unusable. Our restoration efforts included the excavation of 18,000 cubic metres of earth, which reestablished natural water flow and enhanced storage capacity.
We also planted 600 native saplings around the lake, ensuring long-term ecological balance and a green buffer that supports birds, insects, and small mammals. The lake now acts as a vital groundwater recharge zone, offering relief to surrounding communities during dry months.
Basin Bridge Lake: Reclaiming What Was Lost
Once a dumping ground overrun with invasive weeds and dense jungle growth, Basin Bridge Lake was in desperate need of rescue. Our teams cleared 21,780 square metres of overgrowth, removed 8,000 square metres of invasive aquatic plants, and desilted 6,970 cubic metres of sludge.
With the addition of 100 saplings, the lake’s shoreline has started healing. Today, Basin Bridge Lake functions as a restored reservoir, improving urban flood resilience and offering a healthier environment for the local community.
The Bigger Picture: 24 Million Litres of Impact
Together, these 2 lakes now contribute an additional 27 million litres of water storage capacity to Chennai’s urban ecosystem. That’s not just a statistic, it’s cleaner water, healthier soil, reduced flood risk, and a safer, more resilient future for the people who live around these lakes.
Partnerships that Power Change
This transformation would not have been possible without the vision and support of Gurukrupa Foundation, whose funding made this mission possible. At Hand in Hand India, we are proud to have implemented this impactful project, one that sets a benchmark for urban ecological restoration across India.
Together, we’ve shown that even in dense urban environments too, nature can bounce back stronger, greener, and more beautiful than before.
What’s Next?
We see this as just the beginning. With every lake restored, we’re not just reviving water bodies, we're restoring community well-being, environmental balance, and climate resilience. We’re committed to scaling this impact across more geographies in the years to come.
