Imagine a city once famous for its beautiful lakes, slowly watching them disappear under pollution, encroachment and rapid urbanisation. As Bengaluru’s water crisis became more serious, most people saw it as a problem for authorities to solve. But one man decided to take responsibility in his own way. His name is Anand Malligavad, popularly known as the “Lake Man of India”, whose journey has become an inspiring example of how one person’s determination can create meaningful change.
Born in Karnataka, Anand developed a deep connection with water bodies during his childhood. He spent much of his early life around a village lake, playing near the water and creating small dams and streams. Years later, after becoming a mechanical engineer and moving into the corporate world, he began noticing how Bengaluru’s lakes were deteriorating. The growing water crisis made him realise that the city’s forgotten lakes could play an important role in restoring its water security.
Instead of simply discussing the problem, Anand began studying it. He researched Bengaluru’s lakes, their catchment areas, soil, water flow and traditional methods of water conservation. In 2017, he took up the restoration of Kyalasanahalli Lake near Anekal. Through careful planning, desilting, soil restoration and ecological methods, he helped transform the neglected water body into a healthier ecosystem. The success of this project encouraged him to continue his work.
Anand’s passion eventually became greater than his corporate career. In 2019, he left his job and dedicated himself completely to lake conservation. Through his work and the Malligavad Foundation, he continued encouraging communities to understand the importance of restoring and protecting water bodies. His approach combines traditional knowledge with modern understanding of ecology and focuses on making lakes useful not only for people but also for the surrounding environment.
What makes Anand’s story truly inspiring is that he did not begin as a professional environmentalist. He was an engineer who saw a problem, educated himself about it and chose to act. He demonstrates that creating change does not always require extraordinary power or enormous resources. Sometimes, it begins with simply caring enough to take the first step.
Anand Malligavad’s journey from a child fascinated by lakes to the “Lake Man of India” is a story of passion, courage and purpose. His work reminds us that nature’s problems cannot always be solved by waiting for someone else to act. One person, one idea and one determined effort can inspire many others. By dedicating his life to bringing neglected lakes back to life, Anand has shown that protecting water is not just about saving lakes today, but about protecting India’s future for generations to come.