In a shining example of local initiative and collaborative spirit, 12 dried-up lakes in Gauribidanur taluk, Chikkaballapur district, have been successfully rejuvenated — without a single rupee of government aid. The mission was led by B.N. Varaprasad Reddy, a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer and native of the area, who previously served as a special officer during the pandemic.

The idea emerged during a casual chat Reddy had with two friends, focusing on Mudugaanakunte Lake, which had remained dry for 18 years. The trio reached out to the community, proposing a revival effort through voluntary desilting. The villagers responded with overwhelming support, offering donations ranging from Re 1 to ₹10,000.

Relying solely on public contributions, the group cleared silt from the 84-acre lake, rejuvenated water channels, and watched with joy as the lake filled up during the 2021 monsoon. Encouraged, they extended the effort to 11 more lakes, raising over ₹50 lakh in total.

Funds also came from selling nutrient-rich silt to farmers and brickmakers at ₹30 per tractor load — a move that enriched farmland and supported sustainability. Villagers pitched in with machinery, only seeking reimbursement for fuel.

Now operating as the Gauribidanur Seva Prathistana, the registered trust focuses on lakes with clean water sources and no encroachments. As a result, open wells have been recharged, and farmers are cultivating two crops per year thanks to improved groundwater levels.