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To mark this occasion and celebrate the theme for the event ‘Water-Save Water, Save Life’, a short cultural programme and a painting competition for children was also organised. The winner participants were rewarded by Rao Inderjit Singh.
The project has been accomplished with the partnership of the residents of
Hamilton Court, Windsor Court and Regency Park-II and association with Enrich
Agro Food Products Pvt Ltd, UN Habitat, FORCE – NGO, dedicated to the cause of
water management and Coca-Cola India. The project has been technically assisted
by Central Ground Water Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, Rao
Inderjit Singh commented, “Water crisis is a global challenge that requires
immediate attention. It is heartening to see NGO’s and corporates are
collaborating to undertake initiatives in the realm of water. Rain water
harvesting has emerged as a viable option to redirect rain water into the
ground, which otherwise goes waste. We expect more such public-private
partnerships in the aspect of water recycling to meet the water challenges of
the future.”
Five rainwater harvesting structures were inaugurated and
dedicated to the residents of Hamilton Court, Windsor Court and Regency Park-II.
The recharge structures will enable 20,000 cubic metres of water annually to
percolate in to the earth. The RWH project will harvest water from a catchment
area of 99,734 sq m.
According to, Praveen Aggarwal, GM, Public Affairs
and Communication, Coca-Cola India, “Water conservation and environment
management today requires a participative and collaborative approach. Each
stakeholder in the society must contribute to the best of his ability for
sustainability of the earth. I am thankful to all the partners involved in this
rainwater harvesting project who have helped us to strive towards fostering more
efforts aimed at environment conservation”.
Scientific studies have
revealed that the groundwater in Gurgaon has fallen by about two metres since
2006 and it is apprehended that Gurgaon may run out of groundwater by 2017. Such
rainwater harvesting projects are set up with the aim to help replenish the
groundwater and prevent the water scarcity in the area.
Speaking on the
occasion, Jyoti Sharma, president, FORCE, said, “Our fresh water resource is
limited. However, every citizen of the country can today make a difference
through responsible behaviour coupled with increased awareness. Society at large
needs to adopt water conservation techniques. We have successful examples of
RWAs in Gurgaon that have utilised RWH techniques to their advantage.”
Speaking at the function, Rakesh Kochhar, president, Federation of RWAs
of Hamilton Court, Windsor Court and Regency Park – II, said, “This project is
an example of public-private citizen partnership and I thank our partners for
being a part of this project. I hope that this rainwater harvesting project
becomes an example for others to adopt the model.
Also present on the occasion were Praveen Kumar - additional district commissioner of Gurgaon, Dr D Chakraborty - scientist ministry of water resources, Dr Kulwant Singh, chief technical advisor of UN Habitat Office Bearers of the DLF City Residents’ Welfare Associations and other technical experts and community leaders.
Coca-Cola India has recently announced partnership with SOS Children’s Village, an NGO that looks after destitute children to ensure sustainable water resources by undertaking rainwater harvesting (RWH) projects at 39 SOS locations spread across the country. Over the years Coca-Cola India has been involved in rainwater harvesting projects to protect, preserve and enhance the environment. The Company in partnership with NGOs, Central and State Ground Water Authorities, RWA’s market associations, schools has installed close to 400 rainwater harvesting structures across the country. The Company’s efforts have been recognised by various authorities including the government of Delhi who have honoured Coca-Cola India with the Bhagidari award for their rain water harvesting work for four consecutive years starting in 2003
