March 2026 | 759 words | 2-minute read
For the residents of Pothur Panchayat in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur district, an airy, two-levelled wooden structure with a terracotta roof has become a vibrant community hub.
Within its earthy spaces, students gather to learn about biodiversity conservation; village elders assemble for gram sabha meetings; women’s self-help groups collaborate; and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) groups pursue livelihood activities such as garment making.
Welcome to the Learning Centre by Tata Communications.
Inaugurated in 2023, the centre was established following the success of Project Nanneer by Tata Communications. This ecological restoration, carried out with Pitchandikulam Forest authorities, rejuvenated the 15-acre Nagan Thangal Lake. Once a vital water source for nearly 2,800 residents, and crucial for water conveyance and flood prevention during the monsoon, the lake had lost nearly 75% of its capacity due to neglect, siltation and pollution.
Return of ‘Good Water’
In Tamil, nan means “good” and neer means “water” — a name that captures the project’s mission. The implementation of Project Nanneer began with extensive consultations with the local Panchayat president to understand community needs. Tata Communications also commissioned a study in collaboration with the WOTR–Centre for Resilience Studies (W‑CReS) to assess the hydrogeological conditions in and around the 15.01‑acre lake. The study examined groundwater levels, flow patterns, catchment capacity, geophysical surveys, geological mapping, water quality, and aquifer characteristics.
The restoration yielded a threefold increase in groundwater recharge and a water security boost from 2.6 million litres to 8.5 million litres post restoration. But the effort could not be limited to this. To ensure long-term sustainability, Tata Communications wanted community members to become active contributors to conservation efforts.
With this vision of deepening community engagement and fostering environmental stewardship, Tata Communications established the Learning Centre adjacent to Nagan Thangal Lake.
Learning in Situ
Through the Learning Centre, Tata Communications is championing an in situ environmental education model that involves teaching and learning directly in the natural environment. Unlike classroom-based instruction, this approach emphasises immersive, hands-on experiences. Students visiting Nanneer Lake learn first-hand the ecological importance of water bodies, biodiversity, catchments, and people, and the interactions between them.
Today, the centre receives over 1,200 visitors every month, including students, women’s groups, panchayat workers, NGO staff and government representatives. Aligned with Tata Communications’ CSR programme Schools in Action for the Planet, it engages more than 600 students across 20 underserved schools in Chennai. Tata Communications employees also volunteer, strengthening the project’s long-term impact.
The centre, in collaboration with the Kaivalya Education Foundation, has so far published 10 Environmental Education manuals, covering themes such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution, forests, water, waste management, nutrition and energy. Internationally, it partnered with Human in Love, South Korea, for a drawing competition titled My Beloved Ocean, involving 280 students from six schools and community camps.
A Replicable Model
The transformation of an unused, polluted lake into a restored and vibrant ecopark has instilled hope and pride within the community. Activities such as birdwatching, documentary screenings and children’s community camps have helped participants to build a sense of ownership toward local ecosystems.
“At Tata Communications, we remain committed to the wellbeing of both people and the planet. The Project Nanneer by Tata Communications initiative has been a significant step in this direction. What was once a dying lake has now been transformed into a thriving ecosystem supporting rich biodiversity and serving as a space for community learning and engagement. We hope the W-CReS study and restoration of Nagan Thangal Lake will lead the way to similar, impactful transformation of lakes across the country and bring about a behavioural change,” says Mukul Kumar, Vice President (EOHS & Sustainability), Tata Communications. The next step is to create a replicable, plug- and- play model for other drought-prone or water- stressed regions, with customisable solutions for local conditions.
The Learning Centre model is already being replicated at IIT Madras and the Theosophical Society.
The Learning Centre in action
- Conducted 8 accessibility workshops in the past year, engaging 201 PwDs on activities focused around government schemes.
- Organised health camps in collaboration with local youth and partners such as Chennai Liver Foundation, Clove Dental, and Chellam Optics
- Recorded 164 species of fauna with community participation
- Installed 1 KW solar panel, making the centre fully solar-powered
- Installed anaerobic baffled reactors for sewage treatment—a first-of-its-kind model in the region, attracting interest from panchayat and block officials.
- Anju Maskeri
