The Yagavoddu Kere Lake has been restored. A joint initiative between the Aahwahan Foundation and Netcracker Technology has brought back this essential water source for more than 10,000 individuals across 40 villages in this drought-prone district.
This restoration included large-scale desilting and reinforcement of the lake embankments. Local officials report a nearly significant rise in groundwater levels, replenishing previously dry wells and making irrigation available for the upcoming planting season.
“We did not just restore a lake; we restored our livelihood,” said farmer Ramesh Gowda, standing at the shore of the now full lake. “When it dried up, we had to choose between debt and moving to the city. Now, the water has returned, and so has our confidence to farm our land again.”
One key improvement was clearing the lake’s main outflow channel, which now allows surplus water to recharge a chain of seven downstream lakes, thereby multiplying the benefits for the wider watershed. The partnership was not limited to funding. Netcracker employees also participated in on-ground activities, including planting a large number of native saplings to stabilise the catchment area.
“Corporate responsibility is not just financing a project; it means understanding the issue and working with the community to address it,” said a Netcracker spokesperson.
“With the support of our partner, we have revived this lake. This is not philanthropy, it is a commitment to stand with communities when they need it most,” said Braja Kishore Pradhan, CEO, Aahwahan Foundation.
With a reliable water supply restored, farmers expect to shift from a single monsoon-dependent crop to three cropping cycles a year and create more stable income while reducing climate-related uncertainty. Block President Byre Gowda said, “Earlier, we were struggling to survive. Now, we are planning for the future. The lake has given us more than water. It has given us back our future.”
