Can One Man Save India's Water Crisis? Engineer Restores More Than a Hundred Lakes

Nimal Raghavan, a 35-year-old engineer from Tamil Nadu, has made it his mission to rejuvenate lakes across India. He has already restored 142 lakes, including his first project, the 565-acre Periyakulam, and a lake for the Indian Army. Raghavan's latest project is the Kenikarai lake restoration, which is mostly crowdfunded and expected to solve the problem of saltwater intrusion in the region. His NGO, MEGA Foundation, is dedicated to restoring waterbodies across India, which are depleting rapidly due to declining groundwater levels and rising salinity. Raghavan's journey began after the Gaja Cyclone hit Tamil Nadu in 2018 and he realized that the biggest problem in the region was water shortage. Restoring lakes was the sustainable answer, and he plunged into it, with the help of NGOs and crowdfunding. Despite facing challenges, such as skepticism about his intentions and financial constraints, Raghavan has garnered goodwill with each lake he revives. People have come to respect water bodies. “Water is god, and the moment it seeps into the restored lake, you only feel like bowing and showering flowers into it,” Raghavan said. He doesn't intend to stop until there isn't a single waterbody in India left to heal. Raghavan's work is crucial in the face of the declining groundwater levels in India. According to a study by the Central Ground Water Board, the groundwater level in India declined by 61% between 2007 and 2017. Raghavan's efforts not only restore waterbodies but also raise awareness about good practices to protect them. His work also involves creating artificial landfills around the restored lakes, which ensure the forest cycle continues. Raghavan's next project will be in Kenya, where he will work with the Green Africa Foundation to restore as many lakes as possible. Overall, Nimal Raghavan's work is an inspiration and a reminder of the power of individual action in making a positive impact on the environment.