Recognising the efforts and contribution of the pioneers towards Sustainability Development Goals.
One of the states overcoming water woes through robust initiatives at the ground level is Telangana, a front-runner in NITI Aayog’s SDG Index 2019. Much progress has been made in the region to resolve water scarcity issues. Here is an overview of how stakeholders, together with participation from the public, are working on solutions to improve the water situation today and for the next 100+ years.
The SDG No.6 as charted out by the United Nations, advocates for clean water and sanitation. To achieve this goal, seamless cooperation is imperative from the private sector to take on pressing water challenges, especially in high-stress regions, by recharging groundwater, rainwater harvesting, and promoting mindful use of water.
In this endeavour, the state government has undertaken many vital initiatives such as upgrading the infrastructure of intake wells, water purifying plants and over-head reservoirs. Besides the government, start-ups and businesses are also building strategies to establish sanitation hubs, aquifers, among other things. As part of their water stewardship efforts, companies like AB InBev have partnered with ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics), Let's Endorse, and Ground Water Board to address water challenges in the region through an integrated approach.
Water intensive companies, especially those in production, should take greater responsibility to assess their water consumption and improve water efficiency in their operations. The focus should be given to sustainable methods to re-use water and uplift the communities in which they operate by giving back to society. AB InBev is one such company that is diligently working with the community and other key stakeholders towards water stewardship and have constructed structures from on-farm ponds to check dams, promoting conservation and management of water in Telangana. The world’s leading brewer has been working towards increasing water access and aquifer recharge in line with its commitment to ensuring that 100% of communities in high-stress areas have measurably improved water availability and quality by 2025. In addition to this, AB InBev has also set up Water Health Centres to provide safe and purified drinking water, reinforcing its commitment of water security and access to its communities.
