Gujarat, Feb 2: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is leading a transformative water management initiative around its Ambujanagar plant, in the coastal Gir Somnath region of Gujarat through its CSR initiatives.
Communities residing around the cement plant area faced challenges of salinity ingress affecting over 200,000 farmers and families. The CSR team implemented a range of innovative solutions to restore water resources, improve irrigation practices, and push salinity back to the coastline. This large-scale initiative spans 600 sq. km and aims to create long-term, sustainable impacts for the region.
To address both the demand and supply sides of the water crisis, the CSR arm constructed over 235 check dams, increasing water availability from 4 to 8 months post-monsoon. 69 kilometres of interlinking canals to divert excess water to drought-affected areas were built and developed new water storage facilities by deepening ponds and repurposing mined-out quarries by Ambuja Cements CSR team. These efforts helped prevent further salinity intrusion and returned 39.89 million cubic meters (MCM) of water to the community.
Additionally, over 4,000 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems were installed across 76 coastal villages, ensuring access to clean drinking water. In tackling water overexploitation, the CSR team worked with nearly 6,000 farmers to promote the adoption of drip irrigation over 8,603 hectares, optimizing water use for agriculture.
Ambuja Cements’ commitment to sustainable water management has earned recognition for achieving 12x water positivity, while its Ambujanagar plant is 21.1x water positive. This initiative demonstrates the Company’s dedication to creating lasting value for rural communities, ensuring that agriculture remains viable in water-stressed regions.
