PUNE (India CSR): Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the 110-year old Hinduja Group, under its flagship Jal Jeevan initiative, has today set-up rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling projects at State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) at Group 5 in Daund. Inaugurated by Paul Abraham, President, Hinduja Foundation and Mr. Ashok Morale, Inspector General of Police, SRPF, this marks a major milestone in sustainable water management for the region.
Daund Water Crisis
Daund, known as the “granary of Maharashtra,” faces severe water shortages in summer despite its lush greenery and proximity to the Bhima and Pavana rivers. Extreme heat, groundwater decline, and rapid urban expansion with little or no storage facilities have led to several areas being declared draught-affected.
Water Conservation Projects
To alleviate Daund’s escalating water scarcity crisis, the Foundation has successfully implemented its water conservation initiative with 9 ponds at SRPF Group 5, along with the introduction of a Wastewater Recycling Initiative. This initiative builds upon the Foundation’s earlier intervention at SRPF Group 5, where a large-scale Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) project was implemented to address the region’s escalating water crisis, in collaboration with its NGO partner, the Centre for Environmental Research & Education (CERE).
Leadership Commitment Statement
Paul Abraham, President, Hinduja Foundation, emphasized the initiative’s impact, “Water security is a pressing challenge, especially in regions like Daund, where seasonal shortages disrupt daily life. The Hinduja Foundation’s Rainwater Harvesting and Wastewater Recycling Project at SRPF aligns with our commitment to water stewardship and climate resilience. By replenishing millions of litres of rainwater and preventing contamination of vital water sources, we are setting a benchmark for climate-resilient water management and sustainable urban greening.”
Pond Construction Details
Implemented under Jal Jeevan, the Foundation’s flagship Water CSR program, constructed six new ponds and deepened three existing ponds at SRPF Group 5, improving local water storage. Additionally, 11 recharge wells and overflow trenches have been developed to replenish groundwater and prevent runoff.
Gravity Flow System
The nine interconnected ponds at SRPF 5 are strategically positioned at varying altitudes, creating a gravity-assisted flow system where higher-altitude ponds fill up first and naturally overflow into lower-altitude ponds through an intelligently designed network of channels and trenches.
Recharge Pits Benefits
Additionally, 17 strategically placed recharge pits capture excess water, ensuring deep groundwater percolation. This scientific approach mimics natural hydrological processes, optimizing storage while minimizing evaporation and surface runoff loss.
Tree Planting Impact
This program has significantly expanded its impact by planting 500 native tree saplings at SRPF Group 5, achieving an impressive 94% survival rate. This initiative is projected to sequester approximately 119.13 metric tonnes of CO₂ over the next 15 years, contributing to climate resilience. By introducing 34 indigenous species, the project has successfully restored ecological balance, ensuring long-term sustainability and supporting local wildlife.
Community Water Benefits
This comprehensive approach to water conservation and ecological restoration at SRPF 5 has secured 124.85 million liters of freshwater annually, directly benefiting over 4,000 residents and 1,000 staff members while revitalizing 40 acres of agricultural land and 20 acres of forest cover.
Smart Pond Design: Harnessing Gravity for Maximum Water Conservation
The nine interconnected ponds at SRPF 5 are strategically positioned at varying altitudes, creating a gravity-assisted flow system where higher-altitude ponds fill up first and naturally overflow into lower-altitude ponds through an intelligently designed network of channels and trenches.
Additionally, 17 strategically placed recharge pits capture excess water, ensuring deep groundwater percolation. This scientific approach mimics natural hydrological processes, optimizing storage while minimizing evaporation and surface runoff loss.
Key water conservation highlights:
- Ponds P1 & P2: Positioned at higher elevations, these capture initial runoff and regulate water flow downstream, each holding 200 cubic meters and recharging 1,000 cubic meters per monsoon.
- Ponds P3 & P4: Efficiently interconnected, with P4 capturing excess water from P3, holding 200 cubic meters and recharging 800 cubic meters.
- Pond P5: Collects local runoff from the petrol pump area, holding 100 cubic meters and recharging 800 cubic meters.
- Pond P6 & P7: Secondary collection units that ensure continuous water movement and storage.
- Pond P8: The largest pond, capturing runoff from the site’s main stream, featuring four recharge structures, holding 2,000 cubic meters and recharging 8,000 cubic meters.
- Pond P9: Captures roadside runoff, holding 150 cubic meters and recharging 600 cubic meters.
Ecological Restoration: Strengthening Embankments & Enhancing Biodiversity
To protect the ponds from erosion and reinforce embankments, the Hinduja Foundation has undertaken an extensive native tree plantation drive. This initiative plays a crucial role in preventing soil erosion, as the roots of the trees stabilize the bund-like embankments and reduce the risk of land degradation. By enhancing biodiversity, the plantation fosters a thriving micro-ecosystem, providing habitat and food sources for various species, further improving the local environment. The tree cover also reduces evaporation, offering natural shade that conserves water and maintains a cooler microclimate around the ponds.
As part of the Wastewater Recycling Initiative, the installation of a reed bed system has further enabled the treatment and reuse of 109.5 million litres of greywater annually, preventing pollution and supporting sustainable water management. These systems also support wetland biodiversity by creating a natural habitat for local flora and fauna.
Recently, the Hinduja Foundation also announced that it has positively impacted 5 million (50 lakh) people across 4,000+ villages in 18 states and Union Territories, a significant milestone under its flagship Jal Jeevan initiative.
Hinduja Foundation, jointly with group companies, has restored numerous water bodies, including 100 lakes across the country. These restoration projects include heritage stepwells like Makarba Tank in Ahmedabad, Navalakha Bawri in Jodhpur, Rani Moosi Sagar in Alwar, Rajasthan, and Hauz Shamshi in New Delhi.
(India CSR)
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