New Framework aims to make lake rejuvenation science-backed and community-driven

A new framework for lake rejuvenation seeks to address the common problem of interventions focusing on outputs like installing flood control infrastructure rather than outcomes such as the lake's flood control function. The five-stage, structured roadmap is designed to be both technically sound and locally owned, ensuring that scientific assessment and community aspirations are in dialogue.

Prepared by WELL Labs in collaboration with Friends of Lakes and other stakeholders, the framework targets urban and peri-urban tropical shallow lakes, particularly in peninsular India. These lakes, with a maximum depth of six metres, are non-stratifying and often located in densely populated areas facing pollution from domestic and municipal sources. The framework excludes lakes receiving industrial pollution due to the need for specialised remediation techniques.

The document notes common challenges: lack of consensus among stakeholders, absence of design and operational standards, and fragmented planning. Water quality assessment currently uses a discrete system, but the framework proposes a continuous scale to reflect varying uses and ensure consistent evaluation.

At the launch event, V. Ramprasad, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, emphasised that the visioning process must highlight the aspirations of impacted stakeholders and secure their buy-in before a project begins. He added that impact reporting should account for hydrological, water quality, and ecological factors together, not just a single metric like water quantity.

Sujata C. Hingorani of OASIS Design International stressed the need for a systemic view, as interventions in one lake may affect conditions downstream or elsewhere. The framework aims to connect specific interventions to observed outcomes, making rejuvenation efforts more effective and sustainable.