Dys [Functional] waterway - Flowing towards resilience

Bhairavi Udaykumar Ashar

LA4010

The Kharicut Canal's evolution from a life-sustaining water source to a receptacle for sewage and greywater exemplifies the intricate challenges posed by rapid urbanization. The confluence of divergent stakeholder interests, coupled with limited awareness and ineffective recreational pursuits, has eroded its communal significance. This study proposes a community-driven approach, employing nature-based solutions to purify greywater and stormwater before reintroducing it to the canal. This not only enhances its visual appeal but also aligns with contemporary environmental standards. The proposal underscores a robust focus on strategically plugging in sponges which serve dual roles as ecological sanctuaries and water purification systems. These enclaves reanimate the ecosystem, fostering a symbiotic interconnection among human, aquatic, and terrestrial domains, conferring benefits upon both the indigenous community and the surrounding environment. The transformation of the Kharicut Canal symbolizes the complex challenges of rapid urbanization. This study advocates for a holistic community-driven approach, incorporating nature-based solutions and sustainable recreation to restore the canal's communal value and ecological integrity. The sponges serve as the linchpin of this transformative endeavor, offering a vision of harmonious coexistence between urban development and ecological conservation.

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Absorb | The inquiry begins by comprehending challenges at the human-water interface along the Kharicut Canal, examining their repercussions on biodiversity, groundwater recharge, water quality, and other facets, fostering a vision for addressing and resolving these issues.

Absorb | The proposed vision and strategies aim to improve the current state by addressing activities in the context of insufficient water functionality.

Reflect | The transition from the origin to Chandola Lake exhibits significant variations, witnessing changes in land use from green fields to informal settlements, small-scale industries, and formal residences, reflecting the impact of rapid urbanization.

Reflect | Encompassing diverse land uses from confluence to metro junction, Site 02 caters to stakeholders with documented activities, managed by the AMC.

Reflect | Strategic implementation involves conserving urban sponges, integrating retrofitted provisions for seasonal programs along the canal, facilitating community surveillance, and identifying plugin insertions for edge and bed conditions.

Dissipate | The agricultural zone employs diverse plugins with specific strategies, such as varied water interfaces and a community-managed island, aligning with canal and bed plugin demands.

Dissipate | The selected pocket serves as a demonstration of maximum variation in the water interface, particularly during the monsoon season, showcasing the utmost resilience and functionality of the plugin.

Dissipate | Seasonal variations in site usage intensity depend on the canal bed condition. The site ensures year-round operation by strategically utilizing orientation for efficiency and survival.

Dissipate | Impenetrable canal borders hinder percolation, prompting a focus on natural boundaries for enhanced groundwater recharge. The prototype may guide systematic implementation.

Dissipate | The conclusion highlights the canal's positive evolution, achieved by incorporating plugins and refining the system, signifying a paradigm shift for sustainable urban water systems.