On June 20th, 2025, Earth5R hosted a powerful edition of the BlueCities Sustainability Meetup—a platform connecting sustainability professionals across India and beyond to share real-world practices for restoring our cities’ water bodies and ecosystems.
Led by Earth5R’s founder, Saurabh Gupta, the session spotlighted two expert speakers: Dr. Ranjit Kumar Jha from IIT Mandi and Vishnu Pratap Singh from Egreen Systems. Their work exemplifies how innovation rooted in practicality can drive measurable change—whether it’s reviving soil health through natural farming or building low-cost sewage treatment systems to protect urban lakes.
A Decade of Earth5R: From Idea to Impact
The discussion started with a short introduction of Earth5R, a global, citizen-led environmental organization that began its journey a decade ago with a vision to empower individuals to tackle local ecological problems.
Present in over 65 countries, Earth5R integrates systemic sustainability practices into urban and rural development plans, prioritizing social, environmental, and economic impact.
The BlueCities initiative was born out of an urgent need: to revive and protect rivers and lakes in urban landscapes.
“Rivers are supposed to be blue,” Saurabh Gupta said. “But what we see today are shades of grey and black. This is a reflection of failing solid waste management, poor water governance, and broken systems.”
BlueCities builds a global network of practitioners, architects, scientists, farmers, engineers, and policymakers. The goal is to learn from each other, pool resources, and stop reinventing the wheel.
The BlueCities model goes beyond knowledge sharing—it emphasizes action and scale. Earth5R collaborates with government bodies, CSR partners, and community groups to implement nature-based solutions in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
The initiative builds cross-sector trust through Earth5R’s geo-tracking app, which enables transparent monitoring of waste collection, plantation drives, and water quality testing.
This app-driven accountability is now a cornerstone of Earth5R’s approach—ensuring that environmental promises translate into verified progress.
To dive deeper into the solutions discussed, the session transitioned to speaker presentations, starting with insights from the field of sustainable agriculture. These firsthand experiences grounded the audience in practical, science-backed methods used to tackle some of India’s most urgent ecological challenges.
About The First Speaker
Dr. Ranjit Kumar Jha is an Assistant Professor in Water Resources Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he specialized in hydrologic modeling and climate change impact assessments. He also holds an M.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur and a B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering.
His interdisciplinary research spans sustainable water management, agroecological modeling, and climate-resilient farming. Dr. Jha uses simulation tools like DSSAT and HYDRUS-1D and integrates machine learning into soil-water-plant systems to support evidence-based farming decisions in regions vulnerable to drought, groundwater depletion, and erratic monsoons.
Dr. Ranjit Kumar Jha and His Work on Natural Farming
Dr. Ranjit Kumar Jha opened with a compelling case for integrating natural farming and indigenous practices into modern agriculture. With a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his work bridges traditional farming wisdom and advanced computational modeling across the agriculture–water–climate nexus. Dr. Jha’s research focuses on improving the sustainability and productivity of farming systems by deploying cutting-edge decision support tools that combine field data with climate modeling.
His guiding principle? Low investment, high yield.
“Most farmers in India are in debt. They rely on chemical fertilizers and high-input farming systems that degrade soil health, increase irrigation demands, and produce poor returns,” Dr. Jha explained. “Our work is about empowering them with solutions they can afford and implement on their own land.”
Field Trials in Bihar: Reducing Water and Fertilizer Dependency
Dr. Jha and his team conducted extensive field trials in Bihar, a state where traditional farming systems are under stress due to increasing climate variability, water scarcity, and financial vulnerability among smallholders. His research aimed to develop climate-resilient, low-input farming models that could be adapted to regional conditions. These trials used a hybrid approach that integrated field experiments with process-based simulation tools such as DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) and HYDRUS-1D, which enabled precise modeling of soil-water-crop interactions.
The fieldwork addressed four key areas:
- Optimized Planting Techniques: Dr. Jha’s team adjusted transplanting depths and spacing to improve water uptake and reduce plant stress, particularly in rice and wheat crops.
- Temporal Crop Planning: By aligning planting schedules with seasonal rainfall projections, farmers minimized exposure to drought periods and reduced reliance on groundwater.
- Soil Moisture Management: Using natural mulches like paddy husk and dry leaves, farmers enhanced water retention and minimized surface evaporation.
- Natural Inputs: Local cow dung, Panchgavya mixtures, and fermented organic matter were used to replace chemical fertilizers, improving soil microbial activity and long-term fertility.
Validation and Scenario Modeling
These interventions were modeled under different climate scenarios based on the IPCC’s Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), covering RCP 2.6 (best-case scenario) to RCP 8.5 (worst-case scenario). Through scenario analysis, Dr. Jha demonstrated that conservation agriculture, if widely adopted, could lower irrigation demand by up to 35% in high-stress years, while maintaining or even increasing yields.
Scientific Validation and Farmer Engagement
Soil and crop assessments from pilot sites showed remarkable improvements. Organic carbon levels rose significantly, microbial biomass increased, and soil pH stabilized. Crop yields improved by 10–20%, while fertilizer use dropped by more than 40% on average.
Equally crucial was the social dimension. Dr. Jha emphasized participatory learning methods:
- Farmer Field Schools were set up to deliver hands-on training in composting, mulching, and soil testing.
- Visual Demonstrations helped dispel myths about biofertilizers being less effective than chemicals.
- Mobile Advisory Services sent real-time alerts on irrigation timing and rainfall, leveraging local weather data.
In many villages, farmers who had once dismissed organic methods began replicating trial plots independently. As adoption grew, so did peer influence, transforming skeptics into local champions of sustainable practices.
Wider Impacts and National Scaling
This model is now being replicated in parts of Himachal Pradesh, where steep terrain and glacial-fed water sources demand more sustainable approaches. Dr. Jha’s methods are particularly suited to such contexts, where overuse of fertilizers not only harms soil but also contaminates mountain streams.
Further collaborations with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and state departments are enabling knowledge transfer and adaptive policy design. Dr. Jha’s group is also working with data scientists and ecologists to integrate biodiversity indicators into agricultural planning, ensuring that ecosystem services like pollination and soil regeneration are accounted for.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jha envisions a decentralized, digitally connected network of farmer innovators. Through satellite mapping, IoT-based soil sensors, and AI-driven advisories, he believes India’s agriculture can transition into a more adaptive and inclusive system, anchored in tradition but powered by technology.
With growing interest from CSR groups, international climate funds, and academic consortia, his Bihar model is quickly becoming a blueprint for rural resilience, not just in India, but in comparable agro-ecological zones around the world.
Five Simple Steps: Communicating with Farmers and the Public
To scale these ideas, communication is key. Saurabh Gupta challenged the speakers to break their solutions down into language a child or an uneducated farmer could understand. Dr. Jha responded with a five-step plan:
- Compare Current vs. Natural Farming: This involves laying out the differences in cost, productivity, and environmental impact between chemical-intensive agriculture and natural methods.
Charts and simple illustrations are used to show how natural farming leads to savings in fertilizers, pesticides, and water, while also improving soil quality and crop health. Farmers are shown real-life success stories from nearby villages to make the comparison relatable.
- Introduce Local Bio-Resources: Instead of using expensive, synthetic inputs, Dr. Jha’s team teaches farmers how to create nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertilizers from materials available in their backyards, cow dung, cow urine, kitchen waste, and green leaves.
These natural concoctions, such as Jeevamrut and Panchgavya, are demonstrated through live workshops where farmers participate in the preparation process.
- Demonstrate the Role of Mulching: Mulching is introduced not just as a water-saving technique but also as a way to restore microbial life and insulate soil from temperature extremes.
Farmers are taught how to use crop residue, dried leaves, and husk as mulch, and shown its effect on soil moisture and root development. Visual before-and-after comparisons of mulched vs. non-mulched plots help build credibility.
- Model Climate-Smart Irrigation: Dr. Jha explains how irrigation can be optimized by monitoring rainfall, using soil moisture sensors, and avoiding overwatering.
Low-tech interventions such as alternate wetting and drying for paddy fields, the use of drip lines, and staggered irrigation cycles are simplified into regional languages. Digital apps and SMS advisories are provided for real-time support.
- Conduct Field-Level Trials: The final step is a practical demonstration. Farmers are invited to observe ongoing pilot plots or initiate their own with support.
Side-by-side farming, where one half of a field uses traditional chemical methods and the other uses natural practices, serves as the most powerful learning tool. Data on yields, input costs, and soil health is shared transparently.
Innovation vs. Awareness: What Makes This Work Different?
One of the most powerful moments came when Gupta asked: “What makes your work different? Thousands of NGOs, companies, and universities are working on similar themes.”
Dr. Jha’s answer was both honest and insightful: “Most players stop at distributing organic inputs. But we build the system, the knowledge base, and the behavioral change. The real innovation lies in making the entire process replicable without commercial dependency.”
In other words, they are not just giving tools—they are building ecosystems.
About The Second Speaker:
Vishnu Pratap Singh, an environmental engineer and founder at Egreen Systems, specializes in designing and implementing decentralized, nature-based wastewater treatment solutions tailored for urban India. With a strong background in sustainable engineering, Singh has developed affordable, low-energy treatment systems—like MBBR units for small municipalities and constructed wetlands—that remove contaminants while conserving resources.
His notable achievement includes the restoration of a heavily polluted pond in Jammu, where innovative, passive technologies reduced BOD levels from over 50 mg/L to under 5 mg/L in just six months, all for less than ₹30 lakhs. Singh’s work exemplifies how smart, local solutions can transform wastewater into a clean, usable resource for communities.
Wastewater Solutions: Affordable Sewage Treatment for Every Neighborhood
At the recent BlueCities Meetup, Singh showcased two of his flagship innovations tailored for India’s diverse urban landscapes:
- MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor): Compact, modular, and highly efficient, MBBR units treat domestic wastewater in apartment complexes, office parks, hospitals, schools, MES camps, metro stations, and industries. These systems use mobile bio-carriers within aerated tanks, enabling rapid microbial colonization that breaks down organic matter effectively. Requiring minimal electricity and maintenance, MBBR units fit seamlessly into space-constrained sites, producing treated water suitable for flushing, gardening, and groundwater recharge.
- Constructed Wetlands: Drawing on wetland technology, Singh designs decentralized, passive treatment systems that mimic natural wetlands. Using gravel beds, reed grasses, and beneficial microbial communities, these systems purify sewage without chemicals or heavy mechanical infrastructure. Ideal for residential colonies, lakeside habitations, parks, temple ponds, and semi-rural communities, constructed wetlands not only cleanse water but also support biodiversity, act as carbon sinks, and beautify public spaces. They can be configured as subsurface flow or surface flow systems, treating both municipal and industrial wastewater effectively.
Reviving a Polluted Pond in Jammu: A Case Study
A hallmark project led by Singh was the restoration of a 100m x 100m polluted pond in Jammu, choked with untreated domestic runoff leading to eutrophication and foul odor. His team implemented a dual-module system combining a gravity-fed constructed wetland with a low-energy MBBR unit. Within just six months:
- BOD levels fell from over 50 mg/L to under 5 mg/L
- Native fish and macroinvertebrates returned
- The pond transformed into a clean, green community hub
Remarkably, the entire project cost less than ₹30 lakhs, demonstrating an affordable alternative to conventional STPs or deep drain engineering solutions.
Community-Centric, Scalable Impact
Singh emphasizes that community involvement is integral. Residents were engaged in monitoring, upkeep, and educational initiatives, including floating gardens and informative signage to teach children about wetland ecology. Egreen Systems also offers free consultation for STP designs, enabling more communities to treat wastewater locally.
“We need more decentralized systems that are energy-light, maintenance-free, and adaptable to space constraints,” Singh says. “Our goal is to empower people to treat water where it’s generated, turning pollution problems into green opportunities.”
Looking Ahead
Currently, Egreen Systems is collaborating with architects, CSR foundations, city councils, and industries to scale these sustainable models across Tier II and Tier III cities, proving that environmental infrastructure can be effective, affordable, and elegantly designed to mimic nature’s intelligence.
Lake Restoration: Technology Meets Community
Later in the session, Dr. Debasree, an environmental consultant, joined the discussion to share her hands-on experience with Blue Drop Enviro on a comprehensive lake restoration project in Hyderabad. The project was a prime example of how passive, nature-based systems can not only revive dying water bodies but also regenerate biodiversity, engage communities, and deliver long-term, cost-effective results.
Key strategies deployed in the project included:
- Initial spraying of anaerobic microbial cultures, applied both manually and via drone technology, accelerated the breakdown of organic sludge at the lakebed.
- Scientific bathymetry to accurately measure lake volume and sediment load, guiding both ecological engineering and sludge removal protocols.
- Installation of floating wetlands, which filter nutrient-rich inflows and serve as natural biofilters. These modular systems supported aquatic vegetation that absorbed phosphorus and nitrogen while providing habitat for birds and fish.
- Continuous data tracking and adaptive management, using water quality sensors and seasonal modeling to fine-tune interventions in real time.
Despite initial challenges—such as inconsistent microbial performance and uncooperative inflow patterns—the team persisted. By making data-informed modifications and involving local stakeholders in feedback loops, they gradually overcame technical and ecological hurdles.
The outcome? A visibly rejuvenated lake that not only met ecological benchmarks but also became a valued public space.
“This wasn’t just about cleaning a lake. It was about proving that passive systems can outperform conventional ones—both in cost and results,” said Dr. Debashree.
She emphasized the quiet efficiency and beauty of aerated wetlands, especially in high-density urban areas.
“It’s quiet, it smells like a garden, and it works,” she said. “These systems should be the new norm—sustainable, scalable, and soulfully connected to nature.”
The success of the Hyderabad lake project is now inspiring similar restoration models in Bengaluru, Pune, and Indore, where lake pollution from untreated sewage and solid waste has reached crisis levels.
Scaling Forward: BlueCities as a Living Network
Earth5R envisions BlueCities not just as a campaign but as a thriving, evolving platform of action, collaboration, and measurable progress. With each edition of the meetup, the network gains strength through the addition of hands-on practitioners, policy thinkers, and grassroots leaders. The ultimate goal is to build a cross-sectoral ecosystem where ideas are transformed into interventions, and pilot projects are scaled with precision and transparency.
Among its most ambitious initiatives is a nationwide organic farming campaign that Earth5R is launching in partnership with leading food corporations, agri-banks, and rural institutions. This program aims to transform farming practices and livelihoods by integrating sustainability with circular economy models. Highlights include:
- 1.3 million farmers onboarded in Phase 1, focused on training, compost distribution, and water-efficient cropping
- 10 million farmers by 2030, with region-specific toolkits and income-linked sustainability goals
- Integration with carbon credit frameworks, allowing farmers to earn from emission reduction and soil restoration
- Holistic village transformation models where waste, water, and farming are addressed together
Participants in the BlueCities network can play multiple roles:
- Technical collaborators, sharing tools, sensors, and scientific protocols.
- Training facilitators, organizing on-ground or virtual sessions for farmers, schoolchildren, or local governance bodies
- Knowledge partners, publishing case studies, reports, and open-source manuals
- Research and impact validators, measuring change with data and storytelling
“We aren’t just here to talk,” Gupta reminded attendees. “This is about action, support, and outcomes. Every lake cleaned, every farm transformed, every community involved—that’s what BlueCities stands for.”
Case Spotlight: The Mithi River Rejuvenation
Saurabh Gupta also brought up Earth5R’s ongoing work with the Mithi River in Mumbai. At just under 20 km long, this highly polluted urban river is both a flood hazard and an ecological tragedy. The plan involves:
- Geo-tagging key pollution hotspots
- Community-led trash cleanups
- Installing modular STPs at key discharge points
- Floating solar-powered aerators
- Monitoring real-time water quality through sensors linked to the Earth5R app
The vision? Turn Mithi from a sewage drain into a community asset that supports biodiversity, reduces urban heat, and mitigates flood risk.
This case ties together everything BlueCities stands for: technology, community, ecology, and accountability.
Building Capacity: Training for Impact
One of the emerging themes of the session was the critical need for capacity building. As Dr. Jha emphasized, even the best techniques fail when end users don’t fully understand or believe in them. To that end, Earth5R and its partners are:
- Hosting training-of-trainer (ToT) programs for natural farming
- Organizing urban wetland restoration workshops
- Creating multi-lingual educational content for farmers and local officials
- Launching an open-access resource hub under the BlueCities umbrella
The goal is to ensure that whether you’re in Ladakh or Kanyakumari, you have access to tools, training, and support to restore your local water body.
The Economics of Sustainability: A Silent Revolution
Another powerful idea that emerged was the economic case for sustainability. Saurabh Gupta noted that Earth5R is developing models where citizens can:
- Earn carbon credits for verified composting, farming, or restoration efforts
- Sell surplus natural compost or vermi-wash in local green markets
- Be rewarded through Earth5R’s incentive system for tracking and reporting ecological action
In essence, sustainability becomes a source of income, not a financial burden. This model is being tested with banks and CSR partners as part of the upcoming nationwide organic farming rollout.
Global Connections: Looking Beyond Borders
As the BlueCities Network grows, it is also welcoming voices from across the world. Future meetups will include speakers from:
- The Netherlands (urban canal restoration)
- Kenya (wetland-integrated farming)
- South Korea (smart water recycling infrastructure)
This global knowledge exchange will ensure that cities don’t operate in isolation but learn from successes and setbacks around the world.
A Cultural Shift: Rethinking Progress
Perhaps the most transformative undercurrent in the meetup was this idea: sustainability must be deeply cultural, not just technological.
When lakes are sacred again, when farming is joyful again, and when rivers are clean enough to walk beside or touch—that’s when true progress begins.
And that vision doesn’t belong to any one person. It belongs to all of us.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for BlueCities?
As the session wrapped up, Gupta reiterated Earth5R’s plan to scale impact further:
- A monthly digital magazine highlighting innovations in urban sustainability
- A data dashboard tracking the progress of each participating city
- Pilot testing floating solar STPs and wetland-based carbon farms
- Public-private partnerships for school-based water labs and citizen science
Each step is part of a larger puzzle: building cities that heal rather than harm.
The River, the Farmer, the City—and You
At the heart of India’s sustainability movement, the BlueCities Meetup is catalyzing real change, not through speeches, but through action. It’s a dynamic platform where farmers, scientists, engineers, educators, and citizens co-create practical solutions for water and soil restoration.
This isn’t just a conference—it’s a grassroots-to-globe collaboration. From regenerative farming in Bihar to decentralized sewage treatment in Jammu and lake revival in Hyderabad, BlueCities connects local success stories to a national network, enabling them to be studied, scaled, and replicated.
What sets BlueCities apart is its participatory model—solutions aren’t imposed, they’re co-developed. Each meetup becomes a knowledge hub where data meets lived experience, and policy meets practice. It’s open, evolving, and owned by the very communities it serves.
As one participant put it, “It’s not a summit. It’s a soil-to-sky alliance.”
The upcoming meetup will bring together more global experts and community leaders to spotlight scalable innovations. Whether you’re a policymaker, student, innovator, or citizen, this is your invitation to join a movement that proves restoration is not only urgent—it’s entirely possible.
Change starts here. And it starts with us. Together.
