Mangaluru (Karnataka): Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' on groundwater recharge, a 59-year-old spent his entire life savings on constructing a huge lake, which can store up to 1.75 crore litres of water.
Spending as much as Rs 30 lakh, K Madhava Bhat got the lake built in Surathkal, about 16 km away from the city. He invested some more money on saplings to be planted around the lake.
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Work pertaining to the construction of the lake, which is 30 feet deep, 125 feet wide and 140 feet long, commenced on January 20. Bhat said the lake will be inaugurated either on April 28 or April 29.
Man Ki Bath, Spiritual Thoughts Are Motivation:
Bhat, who will soon be celebrating his 60th birthday, said he was inspired by Prime Minister Modi's talk in 'Mann Ki Baat' on groundwater recharge. Yoga and spiritual thoughts also motivated him to take up the cause. "At first, I thought of constructing a pit to harvest rainwater. Later, I decided to construct a lake," he said.
Bhat believes the lake will help increase water level in wells that are situated within a 3 km radius. "Since we have planted saplings and there are other plants as well, they will serve as a good source of food, water and shelter to birds, animals and reptiles," Bhat said.
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The lake is strategically constructed in a way that rainwater from upper lying areas flows well into it. Bhat has also used technology that filters out leaves, waste and litter, thus keeping the water clean. He has made use of concrete to prevent soil degradation.
Bhat said he received immense support from his family in this work.
