Bengaluru, May 9, 2016: Much to the relief of the parched land and water-starved population, T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL handed-over the Kumudvathi River Rejuvenation projects to the beneficiary village panchayats of Nelamangala Taluk of Bengaluru rural district. “We are extremely happy to contribute to such a noble cause of reviving dried natural water resources at this critical juncture when water has become a precious commodity everywhere. Our efforts, we hope, gives a new lease of life to the natural habitat of the region and we will continue to support such ventures”, he said. The event Lokarpana was held at village Thyamagondlu, about 70 km from Bengaluru yesterday. The beneficiary villages are Doddabele, Kalalghatta, Kodigehalli, Thyamagondlu, Hasurahalli, Budihal, Kuluvanahalli and Shivgange.

HAL spent Rs. 477 lakhs in the past two years on this project under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by joining hands with International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a sister organization of the Art of Living to rejuvenate Kumudvathi river, a tributary of river Arkavathi that originates from Shivagange hills in Nelamangala Taluk of Bengaluru rural district. The river once catered to 30 percent of Bengaluru’s water needs but now the whole river basin is “over-exploited”.

HAL sponsored the work for Tavarekere (2014-15); Thymagondlu and Mondigere mini watersheds (2015-16) that included re-charging of wells (202), boulder checks (202), Injection Borewells (27), Water-pools (35) and planting of saplings (15000). The post three rain-cycles at the entire river basin, the expected results include revival of defunct borewells and open wells, protection of drinking water sources, rejuvenation of irrigation tanks leading to agro – horticulture developments, increase in natural vegetation and eco-restoration.

For instance, in Tavarekere mini-watershed taken-up in 2014-15, has already standing water in water-pools even in the middle of the summer. This shows the base flow effect of the ground water recharge that has taken place through rejuvenation work.

V.M Chamola, Director HR (HAL), senior officials from IAHV, members of gram-panchayats and villagers were present on the occasion. Chamola in his speech called for collective responsibility of all the stakeholders involved in taking such environment friendly projects a complete success.