New Delhi, June 27, 2023. Coca-Cola India has been awarded National Water Award 2022 conferred by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India in the “Best Industry for CSR activities in the field of Water Conservation” category. The company is the first beverages company in India to receive the National Award for water stewardship. The award acknowledges Coca-Cola India's remarkable Jaldhara project being executed in the districts of Kolar, Karnataka and Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh through Anandana –Coca-Cola India Foundation and implementation partner – SM Sehgal Foundation. The project is aimed at transforming lives by significantly improving groundwater levels, enhancing overall crop productivity, and improving the livelihood of farmers through effective water resource management.
The National Water Awards, introduced in 2018, have been established to honor and recognize companies that demonstrate outstanding achievements in promoting sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and social impact. Aligned with the government's vision of a 'Jal Samridh Bharat' or 'Water Prosperous India', these awards aim to highlight and appreciate the commendable efforts made by individuals and organizations across the nation.
The Jaldhara Water Project, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation was conceived to replenish groundwater levels in water-stressed regions in India. Coca-Cola India has made commendable headway under the project, by conducting water tank desiltation in Kolar (Karnataka), and by building check dams in Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh).
Speaking about the achievement, Devyani Rajya Laxmi Rana, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability for India and Southwest Asia, said, "We are honored to be recognized with the second rank in the Best Industry for CSR category at the National Awards. This is a testament to our dedication to creating a sustainable and inclusive future for all. The Jaldhara project has had a transformative impact, positively influenced communities, and contributed to holistic development in distressed regions across India. Our water-led initiatives are focused on reducing shared water challenges, improving the health of priority watersheds, and enhancing community water resilience. We replenish over 200% of water we consume in our operations. Coca-Cola India is aligned with the Honorable Prime Minister's call for Mission LiFE, which emphasizes the Pro-Planet People (P3) approach to foster an ecosystem that promotes environmentally friendly behaviors."
Anjali Makhija, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer, S M Sehgal Foundation, expressed, "By fostering meaningful partnerships with organizations like Coca-Cola India, we take immense pride in creating enduring change within communities. This prestigious award serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication towards achieving positive outcomes, such as enhanced soil quality, amplified crop yields as well as a remarkable rise in groundwater levels by construction of check dams in Anantapur and desilting and rejuvenation of tanks in Kolar through improved groundwater percolation. These achievements have been made possible by facilitating greater access to water resources by working closely with local communities.”
The Jaldhara project underwent a rigorous evaluation by a technical screening committee from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and Central Water Commission (CWC). The evaluation assessed various aspects, including groundwater recharge, water management governance, socio-economic impact, and the number of beneficiaries.
This award serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts Coca Cola India has undertaken since the inception of their business in India 30 years ago and corroborates its commitment to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact in the country.
