Ambuja
Foundation is putting rural water at the top of its agenda, in a heightened
effort to highlight the imperative of this issue for rural sustainability and
overall national prosperity.
Water
remains the most pressing issue in India, with vast water shortages crippling
families, communities and economies. Nowhere is this more starkly felt, than in
rural India, where poverty is rife, and over 600 million * people face extreme water stress.
Speaking
on the issue, Ambuja Foundation CEO, Pearl Tiwari said “From its inception,
water has been a key issue for ACF, with our founder and Chairman Narotam
Sekhsaria championing rural water for over 30years. The good thing is that as a country we have
the answers, we simply need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The time
has come to stop talking, and start acting – drop by drop, village by village,
we can turn things around.’
Agriculture – At the Heart of the
Matter
As a cross-cutting issue, Ambuja Foundation reaffirms its position in the crucial area of tackling water management in the agricultural sector, which supports the livelihood of 70% of rural households.
“Sadly, farmers are both
a victim, and a key perpetrator, of this national crisis. Groundwater use is completely unregulated, with
catastrophic over-exploitation as a result – driven primarily by the
agricultural industry.” She said. “And
in today’s day and age, it is completely unnecessary.”
“Simple, low-cost technologies and solutions exist, which can not only reduce water consumption by the sector, but enhance both yield and profitability for farmers. It’s not rocket science – we simply need to showcase these solutions, and their benefits to farmers.” Ms Tiwari said frankly.
Scale Up of Solutions The Need of the
Hour
Ambuja
Foundation has been transforming rural communities, and their water story, for
almost 30 years, and advocates the many simple solutions that farmers and rural
communities can adopt to enhance water security.
“From
solutions to address drinking water security – such as rooftop rainwater
harvesting, water quality testing and revival of drinking water sources; to initiatives
to curb water usage – such as micro irrigation, small lift irrigation and
participatory groundwater management; and interventions to enhance livelihoods
– including water harvesting & recharge structures, moisture conservation measures,
and watershed.” She said.
“The knowledge and tools to reverse this crisis exist, but there is a need to scale up interventions.” Pearl Tiwari said.
Corporates & Philanthropists Can Play a Crucial Role
For this, there is a simple need for ‘more hands on deck’, with Ambuja Foundation
calling for more partners to join the cause. “The Government is making
significant strides in this area with extensive work by NABARD, the launch of
More Crop Per Drop initiatives and other water initiatives like the formation
of Jal Shakti, and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The time has come for more corporates, civil society and individuals to
get involved.” Pearl Tiwari explained.
“Corporates along with individual philanthropists can play an important
role in helping scale solutions, and in empowering communities to get back in
the driver’s seat in terms of managing and taking ownership of their water.” He
said.
“It is in everyone’s best interest that rural India thrives – and a big
piece of that puzzle is access to water, for both domestic and livelihood
purposes. India resides in its villages,
and the agricultural sector plays a huge role in fuelling the economic engines
of the country.” She outlined.
Using ‘Voice’ to
Advocate the Issue
“It is our hope that our efforts in this area, and voice on the matter,
catalyses people into action, so that we can avoid the catastrophic impacts
that we are headed for.” Ms Tiwari said.
“We plan to use that voice to advocate the issue with a call to action
for more stakeholders to join the fight - via a significant push of the issue
in formal media, online platforms, and at industry and community levels via
live events.
*Niti Ayog 2018 Composite Water Management Index Report
https://www.fao.org/india/fao-in-india/india-at-a-glance/en/
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