Throughout India, odd individuals are rising to extraordinary challenges with braveness, compassion, and perseverance. Their journeys should not with out wrestle, but the causes they champion encourage lasting change.

As a part of Optum Presents The Higher India Showcase supported by M3M Basis, we rejoice 5 outstanding Water Warriors(class sponsor: Bisleri) whose citizen-led actions are safeguarding our most significant useful resource: water.

From reviving lakes to rejuvenating rivers, their tales show that true transformation begins on the grassroots — the place each effort counts.

1) From floods to lifeline: Residents save a 50-acre lake

Residents of Chitlapakkam in Chennai proved the facility of collective motion by reviving their 50-acre lake by means of the #SavingChitlapakkamLake marketing campaign. Beginning in 2017, they petitioned, staged postcard drives, carried out road performs, and even shaped a human chain. 

After the 2015 floods uncovered poor city planning, the volunteer group ‘Chitlapakkam Rising’ spearheaded restoration efforts with large cleansing drives in 2019, drawing 1000’s of residents. Their relentless efforts lastly pushed the Tamil Nadu authorities to sanction Rs 25 crores in 2020.

Utilizing the 4D precept of Deflect, Drain, Desilt, and Deepen, the lake was scientifically restored, reworking a sewage dump right into a neighborhood lifeline.

2) 5,000 villagers unite to revive a lake after 15 years

In Tiruppur’s Andipalayam village, encroachments had blocked the Noyyal river’s move, leaving the neighborhood water-scarce and the 60-acre lake dry for 15 years. Right this moment, due to Kumar Duraisamy and the collective power of 5,000 villagers, the lake as soon as once more brims with water.

With help from the non-profit ‘Voluntary Organisation for Individuals Empowerment for Rural Areas by Youth’ (VETRY), Kumar mobilised locals to clear catchments, take away silt, and deepen the lake.

Each Sunday, 1000’s joined with buckets and tubs, whereas donations poured in from residents and firms. Because of this, water ranges rose to 38 ft, recharging groundwater throughout the area.

3) 15,000 folks rally to wash South India’s perennial river

Tamil Nadu’s Thamirabarani River — South India’s solely perennial river and very important for irrigation and energy — confronted extreme air pollution from sewage, effluents, and dumping.

To put it aside, an enormous cleanup introduced collectively 15,000 folks, together with 10,000 college students from 30 schools and 20 colleges, together with academics, police, hearth service personnel, and authorities staff.

They cleared the riverbed from Karuppanthurai to Vannarpettai, and volunteers additionally cleaned 60 kilometres of riverbanks from Pabanasam to Tirunelveli. The marketing campaign turned concern into motion, proving how 1000’s of fingers can deliver a river again to life.

4) As soon as a dumping floor, a river in Kerala flows free once more

In Kannur, Kerala, 5,000 residents united underneath the Haritha Keralam Mission to revive the Kanampuzha River, which was as soon as decreased to a dumping floor. Originating from Ayyappanmala, the river historically recharged groundwater and nourished farmlands, however years of rubbish dumping and silt had blocked its move into the ocean.

Responding to the state’s name, volunteers cleaned a 10-kilometre stretch from Chelora to Marakkarkandi, eradicating plastic and waste. A committee was later shaped to dedicate at some point every month to take care of cleanliness and forestall additional dumping.

This was a strong instance of Kerala’s folks and administration working in tandem to maintain rivers alive.

5) 11,000 volunteers restore lakes and convey birds again

In Coimbatore, R Manikandan, a lathe workshop proprietor, turned his childhood reminiscence of a dried-up properly into a mission to revive waterbodies. What started in 2017 with 50 volunteers at Perur Lake grew into ‘Kovai Kulangal Padhukaapu Amaippu’, a citizen motion backed by greater than 11,000 folks.

Collectively, they revived seven lakes, cleared blocked channels, eliminated tonnes of waste, and even started making a Miyawaki forest of 16,000 timber close to Vellalore Lake. Their efforts not solely improved water safety but additionally introduced again 75 species of migratory and wetland birds to Coimbatore’s lakes.

These tales remind us that India’s water disaster isn’t insurmountable. From Chennai to Coimbatore, Tiruppur to Kannur, odd residents have proven that decided communities can deliver again rivers, lakes, and even misplaced biodiversity.

Recognition is only one step — the true influence lies within the actions these Water Warriors proceed to guide each day.

Optum Presents The Higher India Showcase, supported by M3M Basis, goes stay on 18 September 2025. 

Dive into the inspiring tales, and observe their journey of influence — multi function place. Click on right here to discover.