While India is expected to see its average domestic water demand increasing from 125 litres per capita per day (lpcd) in 2025 to 170 lpcd in 2050, the water available on a per capita basis is largely projected to remain constant. Similarly, the total industrial water demand is slated to move up from 92 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2025 to 161 bcm by 2050, underscoring the importance of pursuing water saving measures on a pan-India basis. However, with about 70% of India’s surface water resources being polluted, there is an urgent need for augmentation & restoration of existing groundwater sources through sustainable means.

Ensuring water, ecological and social security with watershed management

Amongst the various initiatives launched in India towards water management, watershed development programs aim at recharging existing aquifers, with the added advantage of improving the surrounding forest cover and other ecological benefits. In fact, the Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWMP), that has been clubbed with two other Agri-focused schemes into the larger Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in 2015, is being implemented across the country to increase the extent of rain-fed land to 55 million hectares by 2027. By identifying and developing land areas that can divert surface water run-off towards nearby water sources, watershed projects are proving to be highly effective in recharging groundwater sources. Depending on the soil type, land size, shape and even current usage, such projects can prevent soil erosion, curb excessive pollution, ensure flood control and even introduce agronomical practices that can boost local employment prospects. What’s more, by encouraging people to participate in the execution & maintenance of watershed projects, both the central & state governments are driving sustainable action towards securing water availability for future generations.

How water security can fortify business supply chains

As per estimates, ~700million people could be compelled to relocate to water abundant areas by 2030. For businesses that rely on a continuous supply of freshwater for industrial production, water security therefore assumes critical importance, both from a business continuity perspective and to facilitate long-term business growth. This is even more important in urban and heavily populated areas where any looming water crisis can turn into a full-blown water crisis impacting the local population. To avoid such conflicts and to ensure a continued supply of potable fresh water, companies are increasingly pursuing watershed development projects that can replenish groundwater sources and also restore any ecological damage caused by rapid industrialisation. Thus, watershed development projects can not only help in restoring aquifers as well as freshwater sources like lakes & ponds, but also ensure favourable living conditions that in turn can attract people to settle down in nearby areas. By contributing towards enhancing water security, corporates can therefore safeguard existing supply chains and increase their focus on increasing shareholder value through business expansion initiatives.

Building towards long-term environmental & business sustenance

Recognising the fact that 20% of the land mass in India is currently facing drought-like conditions, governmental action towards sustainable water management ought to be supported by corporate-led initiatives. For a start, corporations can invest in watershed development initiatives that can build long-term water capacity in and around industrialised areas. Such endeavours can not only help businesses fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) targets, but also safeguard the local environment and its populace from the impacts of rapid urbanisation. In fact, in addition to promoting sustainable water management in urban areas, such projects can support biodiversity propagation and help maintain an ecological balance necessary for all-round human development. Similarly, in semi-urban and rural areas, corporates can explore collaborations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), self-help groups (SHGs) and gram panchayats to build check dams, ponds, lakes and other components of a typical watershed project. Such partnerships can coalesce wholehearted public participation and lead to sustained efforts towards water management and conservation efforts in the long run. On their part, companies can not only choose to fund holistic water management initiatives, but also run continuous education initiatives to drive behavioural change towards sustainable action. Improved water & air quality, augmented groundwater levels and an increased green cover are direct ecological gains that can facilitate long-term business sustenance. What’s more, since increased water security attracts more people to settle in nearby areas; businesses will be able to access the human capital necessary for driving long-term business growth. For Corporate India therefore, the way forward is hinged on building community partnerships that can expedite the area covered under existing or new watersheds, helping the larger cause of sustaining India’s stellar socio-economic growth momentum in the coming years.