MUMBAI: Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), a pan-India grassroots implementing organisation said it has invested Rs 160 crore in water resource management projects in 473 villages across India, statement said.
It has awarded by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti, for its work in water resource management in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
ACF has worked in water resource management for the past 25 years, across 11 states, from the deserts of Rajasthan, to the mountains of Himachal and Uttarakhand, from the interiors of Maharashtra to the coastline of Gujarat.
It is important to understand that water issues vary greatly from region to region. Keeping this in mind, ACF has been working with local communities, corporates and the government to ensure a water secured future.
The project interventions for water resource management presented by ACF for National Water Mission Awards were implemented in three districts, namely, Gir Somnath of Gujarat and Pali & Nagaur districts of Rajasthan.
While the main issue faced by Gujarat was that of saline water intrusion, Rajasthan saw a challenge in water supplies due to scanty rainfall and drought.
These lead to financial and social hindrances among individuals as well as ecological problems in the above regions. ACF adopted interventions that had a holistic impact on the community, through the following framework:
Through the water project by ACF, water is now made available for additional 3-4 months in the impact areas. Moreover, there is an overall improvement in the health of the community because of the availability of clean drinking water.
ACF has built over 160 people’s institutions in the above regions who ensure maintenance of the water bodies as well as educating others about water efficiency.