NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
CHENNAI, OCT 23
Tata Communications, a leading global communications technology company, has successfully transformed Nagan Thangal Lake in Upparapalayam village, Pothur Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, into a vibrant ecological and community hub — a project that now stands as a benchmark for climate-resilient water management and rural sustainability.
On Sept 22–23, 130 @tata_comm volunteers planted 220 indigenous seedlings (18 species) at Nanneer, Upparapalayam Lake, Pothur — restoring green cover & strengthening the lake’s habitat. Local BDO Gnana Sundari joined the drive. pic.twitter.com/Vmm88r6FRd
— Pitchandikulam Forest, Auroville (@pitchandikulam) October 3, 2025
In partnership with Pitchandikulam Forest, the ‘Project Nanneer’ initiative has restored the 15.01-acre lake — once reduced to a silted, stagnant body — into a thriving water ecosystem that now benefits over 12,000 residents, 60% from marginalised communities. The rejuvenation has tripled groundwater recharge, restored biodiversity, and created livelihood and learning opportunities in the region.
- ‘Project Nanneer’ transforms a dying lake into a thriving ecosystem, boosting groundwater recharge threefold and uplifting 12,000 lives
- Initiative strengthens Tamil Nadu’s rural economy through sustainable water management, biodiversity revival, and community engagement
- Over 4,000 native trees were planted, and the revived ecosystem now hosts 14 fish species, 56 bird species, and 33 butterfly species, including migratory birds once lost to habitat degradation.
According to a comprehensive assessment by the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS), the lake’s water storage capacity rose from 2.6 million to 8.5 million litres, while pre- and post-monsoon catchment spread increased threefold. Over 4,000 native trees were planted, and the revived ecosystem now hosts 14 fish species, 56 bird species, and 33 butterfly species, including migratory birds once lost to habitat degradation.
Beyond ecological gains, the project has spurred rural economic revitalisation — improving access to clean water for livestock, enabling small-scale fishing, supporting agriculture, and driving local eco-tourism through school visits and community-led festivals. A learning centre built beside the lake serves as a platform for environmental education and youth engagement.
Mukul Kumar, Vice President (EOHS & Sustainability), Tata Communications, said, “Project Nanneer has turned a dying waterbody into a living classroom — nurturing biodiversity, livelihoods, and learning. This is our vision of sustainable growth: where people and the planet thrive together.”
Joss Brooks, Founder of Pitchandikulam Forest, added, “This is more than restoration; it’s a movement reconnecting communities with nature. The Nagan Thangal Lake is now a shared healing space — for people, wildlife, and water.”
The W-CReS study affirmed that the lake’s transformation demonstrates the power of data-backed, community-driven restoration to build long-term water resilience. With the growing challenges of urbanisation around Chennai, Tata Communications’ sustained monitoring and local engagement are expected to keep the lake thriving as a living symbol of Tamil Nadu’s green and water-secure future.
