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Bisleri will share its findings with the central government to facilitate discussions and develop a framework, advancing the concept of water credits for the beverages industry. The proposal is aimed at making beverage makers more accountable towards water usage.
Mumbai: Packaged water maker Bisleri is looking to introduce water credits akin to carbon credits, aimed at making beverage makers more accountable for water usage.
The company has partnered TERI School of Advanced Studies to conduct a study that would set a benchmark for the beverage industry's commitment to water conservation.
The study assumes significance given that several large beverage makers have been criticized for extracting water from water stressed areas. Several companies now report initiatives to replenish water used during their manufacturing process.
Green credit for water conservation
Bisleri said it will share its findings with the central government to facilitate discussions and develop a framework, advancing the concept of water credits for the beverages industry.
“The water sector can generate green credits through water conservation, water harvesting, and water use efficiency, including treatment and reuse of wastewater," the company said. This will be similar to how companies buy credits to offset their emissions.
"This report is about proposing a model to the government—they can use and craft it. So, we are requesting the government to set up a platform as quickly as possible, similar to carbon credits, using this as a template," Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International said in an interview.
Water savings need localized approaches
The study aimed to review national and international practices and policies in water trading, water credits and fiscal instruments and develop a methodological framework to estimate water footprint of a production unit. The study also tested and estimated the water footprint of two production units of Bisleri in two distinctly different terrains.
Unlike carbon emissions, water savings require a localized approach, factoring in variables such as rainfall and consumption at a watershed level, it said.
Problem of water scarcity
In India, 11 out 15 major river basins will be water-stressed by 2025, with per-capita annual water availability below 1,700 cubic meters, according to data from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a New Delhi-based think tank.
Bisleri’s move also comes after the government notified a Green Credit Program (GCP ) in October, 2023. The CPG is a market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies. In its initial phase, the CPG will focus on two key activities i.e. water conservation and afforestation. However, there is no official platform yet that permits trading of green credits in India.
Those in the beverage industry said that while the idea is novel, it could face challenges in implementation. “This is a responsible way for the industry to be more water-efficient, although several large companies are already replenishing water they use," said a senior executive in the beverages industry, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Additionally, ground water usage in India is already governed by various national and state-level rules that restrict the amount of water companies can draw for industrial and commercial use.
For instance, bottled water companies must obtain necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater extraction and then undertake measures for groundwater replenishment. Packaged water units are also penalized for going above the minimum quantum of ground water withdrawal. Rates of ground water abstraction charges for packaged drinking water units vary in safe, semi-critical and critical assessment units, per rules laid out by the Central Ground Water Authority. However, companies also use other sources such as surface or municipal water—tariffs on which are different.
Others said the move is largely aligned to step up sustainable and environment-friendly practices followed by companies.
"If companies are able to follow efficient water use practices and earn credits their processes will be considered more environmentally friendly, because they are going to reduce their water footprint. Moreover, internationally, their product will have more acceptance, because you're contributing to environmental conservation. Third, is that it also reduces regulatory and reputational risk for organizations, said Nitin Bassi, senior programme lead for the sustainable water team at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
However, Bassi warns that creating a baseline water footprint for the industry may have its challenges given the scale and scope of a given water unit. Smaller water units may be at a disadvantage when it comes to assessing their water footprint as their technology may not be at par with those deployed that large companies. "Additionally, while undertaking such projects, validating claims in the long-run becomes a challenge," he said.
Read MoreGuwahati, April 30: A two-day-long ‘Exposure Visit Programme’ for CBSE School Principals has successfully culminated here today at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) where 34 school principals from various renowned CBSE schools from across the country participated.
The visit has been organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in collaboration with USTM from 29th to 30th April 2024. The program has been supported by the Department of Skill Education, CBSE under the Skill Education sector.
Addressing the school principals in an interactive session today, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM said that the role of a school principal is multifaceted and essential for creating an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. He welcomed all the participants and said that USTM is always open to extending all kinds of support to uplift school education.
In the inaugural session yesterday, Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM welcomed all the school principals and said that the National Education Policy 2020 has emphasized on Skill Education to become integral to School and Higher Education. Accordingly, CBSE has envisioned promoting Skill Education from Class 6th onwards in all its affiliated schools. He said that an added benefit of such an exposure visit is that it gives the principals a chance to meet other like-minded school leaders, share stories, and gain a lot in the process.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr Jagadish Barman, Jt Secretary, CBSE Centre of Excellence Guwahati said, “This Exposure Visit is expected to leverage the synergies between schools and Higher Educational Institutions and create a positive platform for cohesive interaction in the future learning ecosystem.”
These Principals may, in turn, mentor the teachers of schools in their neighborhood thus, unfold unlimited opportunities for educator empowerment, he added.
In this context, Prof Amit Choudhury, Dean, School of Technology and Management at USTM said that this year CBSE has selected USTM for principals’ exposure visit apart from six other institutions including TERI School of Advanced Studies New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Asian Academy of Film Television Noida, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Whistling Woods International Mumbai, and Indian Institute of Management–Raipur. The resource persons from USTM were: Dr E Karim, Dr Azmol H Barbhuiya, Dr Monalisa Bora Deka, Dr Alika Borgohain, Dr Baharul Islam, Dr K Aye, Dr S Gazi, Dr Nitu Borgohain, Dr Deboja Sharma, Dr Moutushi Das, Dr Mehjabin Rahman, Dr Papiya Dutta, Dr Palme Borthakur.
Dr Nirmaljit Singh Kalsi, Chairman, National Council for Vocational Education and Training took an online session on “Up-scaling of Skill Education in line with NEP 2020”. Several sessions took place on both days.
The participating schools in the program were Christ International School Bangalore, Mahavir Senior Model School Delhi, RS Jhunjhunwala International School Gujarat, Poddar International School Maharashtra, Manipal School, Brahmani Public School Odisha, DPS Ahomgaon Guwahati, Faculty HS School North Guwahati, Sharada Vidyaniketan Public School Mangalore, Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 Kunjaban, KV NFR Maligaon, Ideal English Senior Secondary School Manipur, Livingstone Foundation International, PM Shri KV Khanapara, Holy Brook Sr. Sec. School, North East Public School Udalguri, Army Public School PRTC Bangalore, SBOA Public School Guwahati, The Priceton School, Sree Swami Vivekananda Higher Primary School, Kendriya Vidyalaya NEHU Shillong, Army Public School Shillong, SJ Patel Eng School Gujarat, Delhi World Public School Haryana, Jnana Ganga Central School, Dr. M Ramanna Shetty Memorial English Medium High School, Kendriya Vidyalaya ONGC Agartala, Kendriya Vidyalaya Assam University, Kendriya Vidyalaya Aizawl, Buhai School Sikkim and Kingcup Public School Itanagar.
Read MoreIPCA Centre for Waste Management and Research, TERI SAS, in collaboration with India Development Service (IDS), USA, organised an international conference on ‘Solid Waste Management for Good Health and Wellbeing’ on 1st March 2024. Several experts from medical services, NGOs, urban local bodies, and recyclers participated in the event. While delivering the keynote address, Deputy WHO Representative to India Ms Payden emphasised that “health sector alone cannot address the issues faced by communities associated with waste management sector, inter and intra-sectoral collaborations is the key and the involvement of people and communities stands important”.
Prof Arun Kansal, Vice Chancellor, TERI SAS, emphasised the need to synchronise the aims of waste management, pollution control, and a healthy, sustainable, and thriving community. Focusing on waste management for health in many ways leads to the definition of purpose for engineers. Health brings in a critical human element to waste management schemes, which is as crucial as trucks and infrastructure. Dr Prasad from the University of Colorado presented a case study mapping health care along solid waste supply chains. Dr Venkatesh from Karlstad University, Sweden, presented his extensive research on ragpickers in India.
Participants organised themselves to deliberate on community health and waste management, New imperatives for waste management policies and regulations, Fiscal measures, and stakeholder roles.
Mr Ashish Jain, Founder Director of IPCA, thanked participants and summarised the need for an integrated community-based approach through effective intersectoral coordination where waste management for health leads to the definition of purpose for Engineers in municipal bodies.
Read MoreDate | News Title | Source |
02-June-2024 | Bisleri proposes water credit ... | Mint (Online) |
30-April-2024 | Principals from CBSE schools a... | The Shillong Times (Online) |
02-March-2024 | International Conference on So... | Skilloutlook (Online) |
28-February-2024 | Rising medical costs is eating... | Deccan Herald (Online) |
29-January-2024 | Padma Shri for Kurseong man Dr... | The Statesman (Online) |
08-September-2023 | G20 & Climate Change & Action:... | Online |
16-July-2023 | Trans Yamuna area of Delhi has... | Jagran (Online) |
11-June-2023 | Surya Foundation dwara Rashtri... | Uttam Hindu; Page No. 05 |
07-June-2023 | Hurdles on the way. Why India ... | The Hindu Businessline (Online) |
23-April-2023 | Subsidence in an Indian town r... | The Japan Times (Online) |
Dirty water and muck have accumulated in the 23 wastewater ponds in the rural areas of the district over the years, impacting groundwater recharge, said the officials
Twenty-three wastewater ponds in rural areas of Gurugram district are being revived to facilitate groundwater recharge and ensure long-term benefits to locals, said representatives of GuruJal on Monday.
GuruJal is an integrated water management initiative of the district administration which focuses on tackling water scarcity, groundwater depletion, flooding, and water stagnation in Gurugram.
“We are currently working on rejuvenating 23 wastewater ponds in the rural areas of the district, where dirty water and muck have accumulated over the years, impacting groundwater recharge. This water first needs to be treated and then the pond can be refilled. The technology used to treat the water will be decided after the water is sent to authorised labs for testing,” said Osho Kalia, a senior member of GuruJal.
“Locals will also be involved in the projects as we request them to take care of these ponds in the long run,” Kalia added.
These 23 ponds include wastewater ponds in Iqbalpur, Khentawas, Daula, Mojabad, Bhorakalan, Nawada, Budhera, Daultabad, Bilaspur, Tajnagar, Hariahera, Palasoli, Kasan, Wazirpur, Chandla Dungerwas, Dharampur, Binola, Goriawas, Bhaganki, Bhorakalan, Bilaspur Kalan, Mankrola and Syed Mohamamdpur.
These ponds have different timelines for completion, with work at some ponds like Mojabad being completed and currently in the monitoring stage, said representatives from GuruJal. The rejuvenation work for all the ponds is likely to be completed by next year.
The technologies to be used to treat the water include root zone technology (a natural treatment process wherein water is purified using the roots of plants), bio-filter technology (wherein waste water is filtered using biofilters like sand, gravel, or other filter medium grain, which are covered with biofilms--thin layer which has bacteria and microorganisms. These biofilms help break down the organic matter in the waste water, which is then released into the pond), advance eco-reactor technology, and dewatering), advance eco-reactor technology (a green alternative to waste water treatment, where organic and inert substance is mixed in specific formulation which creates an ecosystem with microbes, enzymes, worms that treats the waste water) and dewatering (wherein all the waste water from the pond is removed using machines to clean the bottom layer of the pond).
According to authorities, these ponds have turned into wastewater ponds because sewage, waste from cattle, dirty water from households is dumped here. Due to this, a layer of muck has formed at the bottom of these ponds, which prevents water from percolating into the ground.
Kalia said that the ponds will first be dewatered and desilted and a mini wastewater treatment plant will be installed at the pond. All water sources from the village will be connected to this plant, so that in the future only treated water is released into the water bodies.
Shiv Singh Rawat, superintending engineer of irrigation and water resources, Gurugram, said, “Initially there was no concept of wastewater ponds as water from wells or ponds was utilised and the ground would soak in the rest because of less concretisation. But over the years, wastewater generated from households was released into the ponds, polluting the existing water there. Now, with these projects, village-specific solutions are being provided, which will help the groundwater table recharge.”
According to the records of the district administration, a population of over 200,000 is dependent on some of the ponds, such as those in Daula, Mojabad and Khentawas.
At the pond in Daula, Sohna block, where authorities are using root zone technology, 17,321 kilolitres of water can be recharged every year by treating 91,250 kilolitres of wastewater. At Mojabad’s pond in Pataudi block, where the same technology is being used, 15,300 kilolitres of water can be recharged every year, authorities said. At Khentawas pond in Farrukhnagar block, 26,397 kilolitres of water can be recharged every year. At Daulatabad pond, 50465 kilolitres of water can be recharged every year.
GuruJal installed a piezometer at the Mojabad pond in 2020, and the team said it is planning to install more such meters at every pond under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a central scheme for water conservation. A piezometer is a device that can measure the groundwater level and give daily updates.
In January 2020, the groundwater level at the Mojabad pond was 39.5m. In two years, the water level at this pond has increased by two metres and was measured at 37.2m on Friday morning, authorities said.
Experts working on groundwater conservation, however, said that these systems can work in the long run only if the community is involved.
Fawzia Tarannum, assistant professor, department of regional water studies, TERI School of Advanced Studies, said that these technologies can work for up to 15-20 years, helping groundwater recharge, providing water for cattle and agricultural use, only provided there is a proper maintenance mechanism.
“Be it root zone or bio-filter technology, the important factors to be considered prior to installation are the estimation of the total wastewater generation, proper forecasting of increase in wastewater, choosing the right technology depending on the quality of wastewater, efficiency of the treatment system, and a sustainability plan for operation and maintenance. A community-based planning and governance system should be instituted prior to commencing the project. Community should not be looked at as just the beneficiaries but should be considered as equal partners in decision-making and implementation of the project. Outreach programmes must be undertaken to understand the community dynamics and to bring them on board. For effective participation, it is important for community to understand the benefits that they shall derive from the project. Pond rejuvenation should actually be a social, cultural, ecological and recreational revival. Ecosystems with recreational spots, benches or community spaces can be made, so that people feel the need to preserve the water body,” said Tarannum.
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