Urbanization has resulted in a severe water crisis. Cities are not far from running out of water in the coming years. Chennai is already reeling under zero city situation. To top it all the Niti Aayog report says that Bengaluru will be one of the prime metro cities to run out of the water by next year. Even though the problem is of paramount importance many are just concerned in discussing than finding a solution for the replenishment of groundwater. Luckily there are saviors like water activist and urban planner Dr. Vishwanath Srikantaiah.
Dr. Vishwanath has been working on improving the situation and avert a major disaster, severe water crisis predicted by environmentalists going by the rate of urbanization.
Who is Vishwanath Srikantaiah and What he does?
Vishwanath, a 55-year-old activist who has been combating the crippling water crisis in many parts of the city with the help of communities that rejuvenate wells. Not just that he also has been implementing various methods to facilitate conservation of water. The results of Vishwanath’s efforts is evident with the record he holds. Until now he has successfully recharged 1 Lakh Wells and made 10,000 Wells Functional with the support of the well-diggers community in Bengaluru, including wells in Cubbon Park.
Together they have committed to the herculean task to recharge 1 million wells across Karnataka in the coming days. Moreover, His noble cause has also given the traditional well diggers a new lease of life.
“These recharge wells will use rooftop rainwater and send it into the aquifers, helping groundwater conditions to improve. It will also help the traditional well diggers get a better livelihood,” explained Vishwanath.
Awareness on Conservation of Water:
Dr. Vishwanath has been creating awareness and educating citizens to make them ‘water literates’. He has been encouraging people to follow various conservation methods while he still strives to implement designed rooftop water harvesting structures for industries and households.
When he is not busy recharging wells, he is a dedicated member of Rainwater Club, with which he has been since 1995 catering to the needs of people.
“For every square meter of roof area, one has to create 20 liters of storage of recharge, and for every square meter of the paved area around the building, one has to create 10 liters of storage for recharge. The recharge well should be a minimum of 10 feet,” he says. He has also developed VARUN, a filter that purifies rainwater.
His team successfully identified one of the oldest wells ‘Karagadabavi’, a prime spot where Karaga begins every year and were able to review seven wells that fetch around 65,000 to 100000 liters of water for the park.
He also runs an ecologically-run architectural practice, where most of the components are incorporated as part of the design.
Speaking of the conservation at the policy level he also plays an active role in implementing them and has been working hand in hand with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board(BWSSB) along with his team of two and the engineers for 24 years now.
Add Comment