Cisco Restores Bangalore's 'City of Lakes' with Valagere Kallahalli Lake Revitalization
Cisco has launched a 10-year initiative to restore and maintain Valagere Kallahalli Lake in Bangalore, India. The project aims to replenish approximately 158 million liters of water each year, an amount equivalent to about 63 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The lake restoration is part of Cisco's strategy to support the water-stressed communities in which they operate. Historically known as the 'city of lakes,' Bangalore has experienced significant population growth, tripling in size from 1990 to 2020. As the city expanded, the interconnected lakes used to store groundwater and provide water for drinking and agriculture were built over, shrunk, or dried up, leading to severe water shortages.
The project begins with satellite and GIS analysis of the site, hydrology and engineering studies, and agreement is secured from the Panchayat (the local water governing body) and the state government. The construction phase includes desilting, catchment restoration, erosion control, and the construction of inlets and outlets.