A morning at Kudikunta Lake

Under monsoon skies, a group of Saimers set out to uncover the story behind Kudikunta Lake's revival—starting where few people would expect.

Our first stop was the Palapitta Sewage Treatment Plant, where we watched the entire process unfold—from raw sewage entering the plant, to clean treated water flowing out.

From there, we made our way to Kudikunta Lake where birds skimmed effortlessly across the water, families strolled along the bund, residents stood on their balconies with cups of coffee, taking in the calm morning view as a cool breeze swept across the lake.

It was hard to imagine that this vibrant waterbody had once been overwhelmed by sewage, invasive hyacinth, and years of neglect.

As we walked around the lake, Kalpana Ramesh from SAHE, who led the lake restoration project supported by Sai Life Sciences, helped us look beyond what met the eye. She pointed to the bund beneath our feet and explained that it had been built using the silt removed during the restoration process. Mixed with it were tonnes of plastic waste, debris and water hyacinth that had accumulated over the years. Instead of ending up as waste again, much of this material found a new purpose in rebuilding the landscape itself.

Native trees and plants now line the banks, creating habitats for birds that have gradually returned. Aquatic life has reappeared, and the restored lake is once again recharging groundwater, strengthening water security for thousands of people living nearby. What was once a neglected urban waterbody has become a thriving ecosystem and a cherished community space.

The morning concluded with a plantation drive, where Saimers added a few more native saplings to the lake's growing green cover.

Before heading back, we gathered around a pledge board. One by one, we wrote down the small actions we would take to make a difference.

"I will explore setting up an STP in my community."

"I will plant and nurture more trees."

"I will reuse RO reject water."

"I pledge to conserve water, starting from my lab, at Sai."

We didn't just leave Kudikunta with photographs of a restored lake. We left with the commitment to restore our own corners of the world.