Advancing ‘Water for People and Progress’ through community-led water stewardship and sustainable impact across India
MUMBAI (India CSR): On the occasion of World Water Week 2026, themed “Water for People and Progress,” Marico Limited, one of India’s leading FMCG companies, reaffirmed its commitment to water stewardship through its flagship Jalashay Programme, which has created a cumulative 547 crore litres of water conservation potential across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu till FY26.
Rooted in the belief that sustainable business growth must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, the Jalashay Programme operates across four states in India, partnering with local communities and stakeholders to improve water availability, strengthen agricultural resilience, and promote responsible natural resource management. Through a combination of water conservation infrastructure, community participation, and sustainable farming interventions, the programme contributes meaningfully to both environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods.
Complementing its community-led efforts, Marico continues to strengthen sustainable water management practices across its operations through its water stewardship approach, which focuses on creating a higher water credit while maintaining a lower water debit. While the Jalashay Programme contributes to water conservation and replenishment, the Company simultaneously drives efficient water management through optimized resource consumption, advanced treatment systems, and responsible manufacturing practices. Reflecting the impact of this integrated approach, 25% of Marico’s manufacturing footprint located in water-stressed zones has been certified as water neutral. The Company’s manufacturing facility at Perundurai, Tamil Nadu, situated in an extremely high water-risk region, has achieved independently verified Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status, while the Puducherry facility has also been certified as a ZLD unit, underscoring Marico’s commitment to responsible water use and resource efficiency. Further, the Company recorded a 24% reduction in water consumption intensity in FY26 compared to the FY22 baseline, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable water management and long-term environmental resilience.
Marico’s Jalashay Programme benefiting farming communities and advancing water stewardship.
Commenting on Marico’s water stewardship efforts on the occasion of World Water Week, Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer, Group General Counsel and Secretary of the CSR Committee, Marico Limited, said: “At Marico, we believe that long-term progress is intrinsically linked to the well-being and resilience of the communities we serve. Through the Jalashay Programme, we are helping create sustainable access to water while empowering communities to become active custodians of this critical natural resource. As we observe World Water Week 2026, we remain committed to advancing responsible water management practices, strengthening climate resilience, and creating meaningful impact for our current and future generations.”
One of the flagship intervention areas under the Jalashay programme is Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where the initiative has helped create 70 crore litres of water potential, benefiting more than 4,000 farmers and improving water availability across seven villages. Recognised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the Taluka Agriculture Office for its contribution to water conservation and community development, the Jalgaon intervention exemplifies the programme’s impact at the grassroots level.
Water stewardship remains a key pillar of Marico’s broader sustainability agenda and ESG 2030 roadmap. As part of this commitment, Marico aims to achieve water neutrality certification across 100% of its manufacturing units located in water-stressed zones. The Company’s efforts in water stewardship have also received national recognition, with the Jalashay initiative being honoured with the Mahatma Award for Water Management for its contribution to improving water availability and enabling sustainable outcomes for farming communities.
As the Company advances towards its Vision 2030 aspiration of becoming one of India’s leading diversified digital-first consumer goods companies, initiatives such as Jalashay continue to demonstrate how responsible business practices can create lasting environmental and social value while contributing to inclusive and sustainable growth.
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