Love of Lakes

Good News Good Planet

For more delicious news, go to www.GoodNewsGoodPlanet.com, and scroll to bottom for more ways to find the feel good stuff!* FOR THE LOVE OF LAKES 32-year-old Indian activist, Arun Krishnamurthy, has always had an affinity for the water. Growing up in an Indian neighborhood surrounded by rivers and lakes, he watched with concern as India's waterways became more and more polluted. He was so alarmed that he quit his comfortable job at Google to take on the problem himself. He started the Environmentalist Foundation of India which specializes in cleaning, restoring and aerating the country's water bodies. The organization works with local communities and governments to clean waterways of trash and over-growth. Each project is unique and may require a variety of strategies including dredging and deepening ponds and lakes, strengthening their embankments, and in some cases, fencing them for protection. As of 2019, the foundation has restored 93 lakes across 14 states. Efforts are funded entirely by donations and volunteers. Arun says educating the locals and winning their hearts and minds is the key to the entire process. If they feel connected and they care, it’s easy. Arun reminds them that “The idea is not to point fingers, but to do something about it.” With nearly 65% of India's reservoirs running dry over the past several years, environmental efforts are more important than ever, and they are most effective when you start by educating the young. To that end, Arun has implemented kids' programs to make conservation fun and interesting. One of these projects is "Cycle Lakes" which offers weekend bicycle tours to lakes and habitats for children to connect with nature, stay fit, and develop a passion for the environment. Arun Krishnamurthy's plans for the future include working with the neighboring country of Bhutan which already has strong conservation models in place. He is committed toward his vision to clean and restore as many waterways as he can, both in his own country and beyond. #### *Hungry for more of the Good Stuff? Search "Good News Good Planet" on YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Alexa and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.