Chandigarh
27 February 2018
DIVYA AZAD
As part of its Sustainable Water Resource Development & Management (SWRDM) program, PepsiCo India, alongwith its partner Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI) – a Development Support Organisation, today handed over a partnership project on ‘Water Replenishment ‘ to four Panchayats (Panwan, Masani, Phumanwal and Bhaktari) in Bhawanigarh Block of Sangrur district, Punjab. The SWRDM program has recharge potential of 100 million liters and is expected to benefit a total agricultural area of more than 350 acres, positively impacting 150 farmers and over 5,000 villagers in the long term.
The newly constructed water harvesting structure in Panwan village in Bhawanigarh Block was inaugurated by Shri Mr. Vijay Inder Singla- MLA, Sangrur, and APS Virk, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur in the presence of other dignitaries including Smt. Neelima Dwivedi-Vice President Corporate Affairs, PepsiCo India.
The PepsiCo SWRDM program in the Bhawanigarh Block includes water replenishment through creation of a newly created rainwater harvesting pond in Panwan besides three rejuvenated rainwater harvesting ponds in Masani, Phumanwal, and Bhaktari.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Harpreet Bhatia, Associate Director-Manufacturing, PepsiCo India, said, “As a part of its Performance with Purpose goal, PepsiCo is committed to working with local communities it directly operates in, to improve livelihoods and incomes in a sustainable manner. Today’s project extends our community efforts to villages around our Channo plant to support their livelihood efforts. As a first step, the project will provide access to water for farmers and will be followed by multiple capacity building training programs on better agricultural practices, water conservation & livelihood enhancement for farmers and local women self-help groups.”
About the Program:
- The SWRDM program in Bhawanigarh Block, Sangrur district was conceived by Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), in active consultation with the panchayats and the local communities.
- ADI carried out detailed situational analysis for the holistic development of the area with thrust on water resource development.
- 66 villages of Bhawanigarh Block were surveyed and 121 water bodies were studied.
- Brick pitching, plantations, and fencing were done to strengthen the bunds.
- A separate wastewater management system was set up in the villages to manage the local waste being generated.
- Regular monitoring will be done by measuring rainfall through installed rain gauges. Additionally, water level indicators will be monitored throughout the year to evaluate the impact on groundwater recharge.
Community Engagement Model
As a long-term strategy, ADI will build community’s capacities on varied issues. The implementation beyond water replenishment will focus on building local capacities towards the maintenance of created infrastructure, optimal management of water resources, appropriate agronomic and cropping practices and other need-based livelihood initiatives.
