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Exposure visit to Devanahalli FSTP and Mahadevpura Lake

The Devanahalli Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) stands as a pioneering example of sustainable and decentralized faecal sludge management (FSM) in India. Built in 2015 under the guidance of the CDD Society with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and BORDA, the Devanahalli FSTP was the first planned town-scale FSTP in the country. Its design incorporates nature-based and gravity-driven systems, ensuring low energy consumption, minimal operational complexity, and no chemical use. This facility highlights the importance of aligning technological innovation with financial and operational sustainability to create a replicable model for towns across India.

The FSTP employs a modular design comprising anaerobic stabilizers, planted gravel filters, unplanted sludge drying beds, and co-composting units to treat up to 6 cubic meters of faecal sludge per day. It produces three

valuable by-products: nutrient-rich compost and treated wastewater. This exemplifies sustainable and decentralized faecal sludge management and contribution to environmental and economic sustainability.

Designed to handle variable sludge characteristics, the plant incorporates innovations like modified sludge drying beds to enhance efficiency. Financial sustainability is supported through user fees, compost sales, and small-scale activities, though underutilization and limited demand highlight the need for advocacy and policy support. Simplified operations and consistent stakeholder engagement, including partnerships with the TMC and local farmers, have ensured smooth performance and adaptability since 2015. The Devanahalli FSTP has become a model for decentralized FSM, influencing policies and practices across India.

Mahadevpura

The Mahadevpura Lake, located in Bengaluru, is a shining example of urban waterbody rejuvenation using nature-based solutions. Once degraded due to untreated wastewater inflows and urban neglect, the lake has been transformed through a comprehensive restoration effort focused on ecological revival and sustainable management. Key interventions included de-silting, sewage diversion, and the construction of wetlands to filter pollutants naturally. Native vegetation was reintroduced along the lake’s periphery to enhance its biodiversity and improve its resilience to environmental changes. These measures, along with community-driven conservation initiatives, have successfully addressed critical urban issues such as water pollution, stormwater management, and flood mitigation.

As a result of these efforts, Mahadevpura Lake has emerged as a multi-functional ecosystem supporting aquatic life, migratory birds, and local biodiversity. Its role in groundwater recharge has contributed to water security in Bengaluru, while its restored environment now offers recreational opportunities for the local community. The lake’s transformation has inspired further urban waterbody conservation projects, demonstrating how ecological restoration can be seamlessly integrated with urban planning. Mahadevpura Lake is not only a model for sustainable waterbody management but also a symbol of the positive impact that collaborative action and nature-based solutions can achieve in rapidly urbanizing cities.