Ajay Hinduja reflects on the restoration of ‘the people’s lake,’ Dharma Cheruvu

In the bustling village of Nunna near Vijayawada, a quiet but powerful transformation has occurred — not through policy or protest, but through purposeful action led by the Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the globally renowned Hinduja family. After being overtaken by urban garbage and neglect, the once polluted and deteriorating body of water has been revitalised into a flourishing lake that serves 18,000 people as a communal asset and essential resource.

The restoration of Dharma Cheruvu, a 5.5-acre lake, marks a critical step towards sustainable urban living and environmental accountability in Andhra Pradesh. Spearheaded under the Jal Jeevan initiative, the lake's revival wasn't just an ecological cleanup but a community reawakening.

"This was never just about water. This was about people — the families who live here, their health, their environment, and their future," said Ajay Hinduja, a key member of the UK's richest Hinduja family, underscoring the human dimension of the project.

The restoration was carried out in collaboration with the Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I.), employing scientific, community-driven techniques. Over 120 tonnes of garbage and 14 tonnes of invasive weeds were removed. The lakebed was desilted, 130 metres of embankments were restored, and a protective fence was installed to secure the area from further encroachment or misuse.

Alongside the physical work, the team planted native trees to encourage biodiversity and improve the microclimate around the lake— a critical step in enhancing groundwater recharge and air quality. What was once a decaying water body now functions as an ecological anchor for the neighbourhood.

Ajay Hinduja elaborated on the foundation's long-term outlook and commented, "The Hinduja Foundation's approach has always been to build lasting impact. Restoring a lake is not about short-term fixes. It's about creating a shared resource that empowers communities for generations."
For the people of Nunna, the change has been deep. Dharma Cheruvu is no longer a health risk or an abandoned spot of swampy ground. It is a source of revived pride, a public common, and a revitalized ecosystem. Families gather in the evenings, children play on the banks, and elderly people find solace in the outdoors.

But most notably, the lake has become an icon of ecological responsibility. With awareness drives and community outreach, the Hinduja Foundation ensured that the community was both a beneficiary and an active stakeholder in the project.

The Hinduja family tradition of philanthropy, based on principles of duty, sustainability, and service, is seen carefully and comprehensively reflected in the manner in which this project was executed. Dharma Cheruvu is one of 84 lakes across India that the foundation has helped revive, and it serves as a template for environmentally conscious development that uplifts people as much as it heals nature.

Swiss citizen Ajay Hinduja believes in this community-first mindset and says"For us, it's not just about reviving a lake, it's about reviving the people's relationship with nature. That's when real change begins."

In a world where environmental degradation often feels irreversible, stories like Dharma Cheruvu offer a glimmer of possibility—with commitment,collaboration, and care, it's possible to restore the balance between people and the planet.

The newly restored Dharma Cheruvu is now not just a lake but a living, breathing testament to what happens when philanthropy meets purpose.

"The People's Lake is now truly that — a lake for the people, by the people, and protected with purpose," Ajay Hinduja aptly puts it.

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