India, May 25 -- Lakes in the Vasai-Virar region are undergoing a gradual revival. Years of neglect have sounded the death knell of these water bodies, but a pilot project using Japanese technology is showing how nature-based solutions can revive them.

Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) commissioner Prithviraj PB recently announced a pilot programme that will focus on restoring four lakes in the region, after an initial project began to show results. Up next are Nirmal Talao (Virar west), Sambhale Lake (Virar west), Dhanivbaug Lake (Virar east) and Chandansar Lake (Virar east).

Vasai-Virar has 184 lakes. Most of them are polluted, with industrial effluents and sewage flowing into them. Many are filled with trash. To rescue t...