Water Conservation Off Campus

Building Water Sustainable Communities

Amrita is empowering over 1,200 communities across India, driving sustainability and resilience at the grassroots level. A core focus of this mission is water security, with the implementation of 300+ water distribution and filtration systems, ensuring access to clean, safe water and fostering healthier, more resilient communities nationwide.

Highlights

Water Distribution Systems Implemented: 13
Clean Drinking Water Systems Established: 342
Water-Wise Communities Engaged: 752
Community Awareness Sessions Conducted: 4,230
Ponds Rejuvenated: 33
Wells Rejuvenated: 147
Check Dams Constructed: 477
Rainwater Harvesting Projects Initiated: 82
Manhole Cleaning Hours Completed: 258

Community Level Awareness Programs

In a continued effort to enhance water sustainability and contribute to water conservation, in March 2023, on the occasion of World Water Day, Amrita conducted awareness drives in the communities around our campus. One such initiative took place in Alappad, Keral, India, where the university conducted community-level awareness programs aimed at fostering sustainable water management practices among residents.

The primary goal of the initiative was to educate the local population about the importance of water conservation and to equip them with the knowledge and tools to maintain clean and sustainable water sources. This program emphasized practical measures for water conservation at the household and community levels.

Residents participated in workshops that highlighted the importance of preserving water and reducing wastage. Discussions focused on the benefits of sustainable water practices, such as rainwater harvesting and maintaining clean water sources.

The program included hands-on demonstrations on how to measure water quality, helping residents identify contamination and take corrective actions. Strategies for reducing daily water consumption were shared, including efficient use of water in activities like cooking, cleaning, and irrigation. Practical tips, such as fixing leaks and using water-saving fixtures, were disseminated.

Residents were encouraged to adopt habits that contribute to long-term water conservation, such as reusing water where possible and avoiding unnecessary wastage.

By engaging directly with local populations and addressing critical issues like water conservation, the university not only promotes awareness but also inspires actionable change for a better future.

Protecting Local Water Bodies through Cleanliness Drives

Amrita University continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability through hands-on initiatives. One of its notable efforts took place in the last week of September 2023, when faculty and students organized a week-long series of cleanup drives targeting local water bodies near the university’s campuses. These drives aimed to enhance the cleanliness and ecological health of these vital natural resources while raising awareness about the importance of preserving water ecosystems.

The cleanup drives were conducted with the active participation of faculty and students, who worked collaboratively to remove various types of waste, including plastics, non-biodegradable materials, and other pollutants that had accumulated in and around the water bodies.

The participants devoted their time and energy to restoring these water bodies to their natural state, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cleanliness to sustain aquatic life and ensure the availability of clean water for surrounding communities.

Beyond the physical cleanup efforts, the initiative incorporated educational components. Students and faculty engaged with nearby communities to discuss the detrimental effects of water pollution and the role each individual can play in maintaining clean and healthy ecosystems. These interactions emphasized the need for responsible waste disposal and collective action to safeguard water resources.

The cleanup drives had an immediate positive impact on the local environment. The removal of waste significantly improved the aesthetic appeal and ecological quality of the water bodies, benefiting both the aquatic ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. Furthermore, the initiative fostered a sense of environmental stewardship among participants, who gained valuable insights into the challenges of water conservation and pollution management. The engagement with local residents also created a ripple effect of awareness, encouraging broader participation in sustainability efforts.

C-Chaupal: A Community Gathering for Water Conservation by C20’s SRC Working Group

In a step towards fostering community-driven water conservation, the Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) Working Group of C20 (Civil 20) organized C-Chaupals to raise awareness and inspire actionable change. Multiple events were held in UP, Rajasthan and Hayana brought together local stakeholders, environmental experts, and government representatives to discuss sustainable water management practices and policies.
The event educated the local community about the urgent need for water conservation amidst growing global challenges such as climate change and urbanization. Also, shared practical knowledge on water management techniques like rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, and efficient irrigation. The event urged for collaboration among diverse stakeholders to design localized, actionable solutions.

The event kicked off with interactive talks by experts who simplified complex issues such as groundwater depletion, water contamination, and the impact of deforestation on water cycles. Local Success Stories: Farmers and local leaders shared inspiring stories of innovative water-saving techniques, such as micro-irrigation and the revival of traditional water bodies. Skill-Building Workshops: Practical demonstrations on rainwater harvesting methods and constructing check dams drew considerable interest from attendees. School children participated in creative activities like poster-making and debates, ensuring the message of water conservation reached the next generation.

The C-Chaupal enabled people to recognize water as a shared resource requiring collective stewardship. The discussions culminated in the formulation of a community-specific water conservation action plan.
The C-Chaupal initiative underscores the importance of community involvement in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The C-Chaupal on water conservation exemplifies how traditional community gatherings can be reimagined to address modern environmental challenges.

Innovative Water Management Scheme for Safer Drainage Systems in UP, India

Researchers with the working group for Sustainable and Resilient Communities collaborated with locals in Nagla Chandi to find a solution, especially for wastewater that was flooding the primary school compound and affecting the Jivamritam system for safe drinking water.

From February 4 to 9, 2023, a team from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham visited Nagla Chandi, a small village in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura District. One of the major problems is the mismanagement of drainage systems, which causes wastewater to flow through shallow drains and get collected in a pond adjacent to the wall of the village’s only Government primary school.

The results are frequent flooding in the school compound, which also affects the Jivamritam drinking water treatment system there. Jivamritam was installed by the Ashram in 2019 to provide the community with safe drinking water. The pond’s proximity to the school wall also compromises its integrity and puts the children at risk.

The team from the university included researchers with the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, who are under the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development. They are also contributing to the Civil 20 Working Group for Sustainable & Resilient Communities that is an initiative of the Indian Government’s G20 Presidency.

Taking part were Martin Kanyagui, E4LIFE PhD Scholar; Renjith Mohan, Live-in-Labs® Coordinator; Dr. Yogesh Velankar, Program Director, UNESCO Chair and Faculty member; and Dr. Sajithkumar K.J., Senior Research Scientist. The larger mission is to follow up on ongoing research and development to advance sustainable development in the community.