The government efforts alone would not be sufficient to deal with India’s looming water crisis. In this context, critically examine the role of Indian industries in reducing water footprint. (200 words)
Refer – Financial Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· The Government of India has adopted various initiatives to deal with the problem of water scarcity. Few of them are:
a) The National Water Policy
b) Bharat Nirman
c) Humara Jal, Humara Jeevan
d) National Water Mission
e) National Mission for clean Ganga
f) Water Index to rank states based on its management capabilities
· All these initiatives had a common objective – to save the clean and pure water and to minimize the loss of water.
· Moreover, renewed emphasis on clean water and sanitation are essential for achieving the sustainable development goals.
Role of Indian industries
· Water footprint - Industrial societies thrive on an extensive use of water to run their manufacturing facilities.
· These industries discharge large quantities of water from their sites and leave a worrying water footprint.
· So, the role of industries in reducing its water footprint is crucial in resolving the looming water crisis and keeping up the government's ‘water for all’ promise.
· Companies - Companies need to first assess their water footprint or the total volume of freshwater that is used for company operations.
· Corporates can adopt a three-pronged sustainability approach of reducing, recycling and replenishing water resources.
· Metering, monitoring and controlling water usage at manufacturing facilities and commercial establishments can be a good start.
· By proactively reducing the water footprint, companies can also turn water into a competitive advantage.
· CSR - Investments must be channelized towards Corporate Social Responsibility endeavours.
· Corporates can educate rural communities on traditional methods such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater restoration.
· They can also focus on empowering farming communities with water efficient techniques like drip irrigation.
· Collaborations - Partnering with private institutes and universities for research on water management and resource development will be critical.
· Fostering relations with local water administrators and researchers could also be promoted.
· Assessment - The objectives of an organisation should be aligned in consideration with wider values of people, planet and profit.
· Accordingly, corporates need to revise the way an organisation’s success is measured.
· It should necessarily include the sum total of all actions in economic, environmental and social areas.
