Cricket is just not the game, it is much more than that. It has been proved several times. The IPL 2024 is going on and all the teams are competing hard with each other. In between this, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has taken a heartfelt initiative for the people of Bengaluru. They will restore three lakes as a part of their ‘Go Green’ initiative.
RCB’s Heartwarming Gesture:
Bengaluru is facing a severe water crisis as its lakes dry up due to one of the worst droughts in recent years. The city’s water scarcity is becoming a pressing issue, impacting the natural landscape and the lives of its residents.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has successfully restored two major lakes in Bengaluru as part of their “Go Green” initiative. The project, launched in October 2023, focuses on desilting and developing Ittgalpura and Sadenahalli Lakes, which were chosen due to their severe water stress. With borewell depths reaching 1,000 to 1,500 feet and no access to Kaveri River water, the project has greatly improved the lakes’ water-holding capacity and biodiversity.
The restoration work included removing over 1.20 lakh tonnes of silt and sand from the lakes and using it to create pathways and bunds. This effort recovered nine acres of lake land and established stabilization ponds and wetlands, which benefit local wildlife. The increased water holding capacity will recharge groundwater serve as a source of drinking water and support agriculture, providing better livelihood opportunities for local fishermen and farmers.
Kannur Lake’s restoration focused on enhancing community ownership by creating parks such as Ethno-Medicinal Plants, Bamboo, and Butterfly Parks. These efforts aim to improve biodiversity and offer educational opportunities for children to learn about the ecosystem. The Central Groundwater Board of India’s 2022 report indicates a concerning level of groundwater over-exploitation in India, making RCB’s restoration work a crucial step toward sustainable water management.
Rajesh Menon’s Words:
RCB made a great move for the environment and the Bengaluru people. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Head Rajesh Menon talked about this initiative. He said, “Fans are at the heart of everything we do at RCB. Their unwavering support has propelled us to become one of the world’s first carbon-neutral franchises. Our fans have been actively engaged in our green initiatives since 2013, playing a pivotal role in spreading awareness about sustainability within our community. Building on this momentum, we naturally expanded our focus to support our local community by spearheading the restoration of key lakes in Bengaluru.”
Later he added, “These lakes not only serve as critical groundwater sources for neighboring villages but also form the backbone of local livelihoods. Through collaborative efforts with both local authorities and communities, we have managed to take a small step in the bigger purpose of restoring the old pride of Bengaluru, the lake city.”
In their upcoming IPL game on April 21st, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. RCB will sport their green jersey for this exciting match, highlighting their commitment to environmental sustainability as part of their “Go Green” initiative.
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