How a Techie United Corporates and Communities to Revive 40 Wells and 6 Lakes

US-based Kapil Sharma, originally from Raipur, founded SayTrees, a non-profit that has revitalized water bodies and planted millions of trees across Bengaluru and Pune. Here's how his efforts are transforming urban landscapes and building community resilience.

Kapil Sharma, a US-based software engineer originally from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has taken on the challenge of restoring Bengaluru’s natural beauty through his non-profit, SayTrees. Since its inception, SayTrees has spearheaded urban and rural afforestation projects, along with the rejuvenation of lakes and wells in Bengaluru and Pune.

A Love for Bengaluru’s Greenery

Kapil first came to Bengaluru in 2001 for his engineering studies and was immediately captivated by the city’s lush greenery and cool climate. However, the city he once cherished has drastically changed over the years. With soaring temperatures and disappearing green cover, Kapil was inspired to take action.

In 2007, after witnessing the rapid loss of trees to urban development, Kapil began planting saplings on weekends. This small initiative gradually attracted more participants, leading to the formal establishment of SayTrees. The organization has since grown into a dynamic group of 100 members dedicated to afforestation and water conservation.

Rejuvenating the ‘City of Lakes’

Historically known as the ‘City of Lakes,’ Bengaluru once boasted nearly 2,800 lakes. Over the years, uncontrolled urbanization has led to the disappearance or degradation of many of these water bodies. In response, SayTrees expanded its mission in 2017 to include lake rejuvenation.

To date, the organization has revived 40 wells and six lakes, restoring ecosystems and creating green spaces for the community. One of their significant achievements is the rejuvenation of Choodasandra Lake, a 23-acre site previously choked with sewage and waste. The project, costing Rs 4 crore, involved cleaning the lake, creating green patches for birds, and building a walking track for residents.

The Three P’s: Project, People, and Paisa

Kapil attributes SayTrees’ success to his three P’s formula—finding the right project, engaging the right people, and securing corporate funding. The organization’s community-driven approach ensures the sustainability of their efforts, with local residents actively participating in both rejuvenation and maintenance.

A Vision for the Future

Despite living in the US since 2015, Kapil remains deeply involved in SayTrees. He aims to restore 15 more lakes in Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad before the next monsoon. However, he acknowledges that the scale of the challenge requires collective action.

“Bengaluru alone has 200 lakes. If we rejuvenate 10 each year, it will take 20 years to finish. We cannot do this work alone. We need more people to join hands with us so that together, we can rejuvenate more lakes and fulfill our responsibility as citizens,” he says.

For those interested in contributing to a greener future, SayTrees offers volunteer opportunities to help restore urban ecosystems and build sustainable communities.

Reference

thebetterindia.com