Cisco backs restoration of V. Kallahalli Lake to address Bangalore’s water shortages

# What's happening Cisco partnered with local and international groups to restore V. Kallahalli (Valagere Kallahalli) Lake near its Bangalore campus. The goal is to increase local water storage and groundwater recharge, reduce erosion, and bring back ecological and community benefits.

# Why this matters for Bangalore

# What the project does The V. Kallahalli Lake project combines science, engineering, construction, and community work:

• Site analysis: Satellite and GIS mapping plus hydrology and engineering studies identify site constraints and design needs.

• Construction measures: Desilting to restore storage, catchment restoration and repair of main and peripheral bunds to hold runoff and limit erosion, and engineered inlets and outlets to control flows and reduce flood risk.
• Community features: Vegetation planting and a walkway were added to support recreational and local use. A festival is planned to mark the lake inauguration.
• Monitoring: IoT sensors and cameras were installed so SayTrees can track water levels and lake-condition data to manage the wider interconnected system.

The restoration is expected to replenish about 158 million liters of water each year, an amount Cisco compares to roughly 63 Olympic-size swimming pools.

# Partners and roles Cisco funded the work and positioned it as part of a 10-year plan to replenish water equal to what its Bangalore campus uses. SayTrees led the on-the-ground restoration with a science-based approach. CLEAN International and Bonneville Environmental Foundation are listed as partners in the initiative.

# How this fits Cisco's water approach Cisco frames the project within a broader strategy to conserve and manage water across operations, supply chains, and solutions. Specific items cited include:

• Conserving water at facilities in water-stressed areas.
• Training suppliers on water management practices and setting water-use expectations.
• Offering solutions for water utilities, for example SCADA system modernization and leak detection technologies.
• The V. Kallahalli Lake restoration also aligns with Cisco's 40 Communities initiative, which funds community partnerships aimed at measurable impact.

# Practical effects to watch for

# Short timeline and visuals