Tech giant Amazon has announced a major water replenishment initiative in the Yamuna River watershed near New Delhi, as part of its initiatives to tackle water scarcity and over-extraction of groundwater.
The project will aim to replenish more than 400 million litres of water annually through the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and the development of new water-saving structures, including groundwater recharge systems.
The project will enable Amazon to make progress towards its stated commitment of returning more water to communities in India than is uses in its direct operations by 2027.
Ecosystem restoration
Amazon has partnered with Hasten Regeneration, a social enterprise and developer of ecosystem restoration projects, on the initiative, with Hasten in turn collaborating with Arpan Seva Sansthan and Clear Water Dynamics on the project.
“This collaborative action is exactly what New Delhi needs to help address its water crisis,” commented Sheeba Sen, co-founder of Hasten Regeneration. “By blending traditional wisdom with scientific rigour, we’re building both water systems and community resilience.
“Our aim is to ensure Amazon’s funding is at its catalytic best, inviting communities as active participants and not just beneficiaries. The 400 million litres we expect to replenish annually represents a vital lifeline for communities across the Yamuna watershed.”
The project, which blends ecosystem restoration with community engagement, will include various workstreams, including the rehabilitation of existing water infrastructure, checking dams and ponds, and constructing new water-saving structures such as percolation pits and recharge shafts.
‘Critical water challenges’
“Our country faces critical water challenges, with groundwater levels in New Delhi declining at an alarming rate,” added Abhinav Singh, vice president, Operations, Amazon India & Australia. “Our project with Hasten Regeneration focuses on revitalising the Yamuna basin through strategic infrastructure rehabilitation and new construction.
“This watershed-level approach not only aims to capture monsoon runoff and replenishes critical aquifers but also empowers local communities as stewards of these vital resources. This initiative represents a significant step toward our goal to replenish more water than we use in India by 2027.”
As well as the Yamuna watershed, Amazon is also collaborating with SayTrees, a local environmental organisation, to undertaken the restoration of Yamare and Sai Reddy Lakes, which will replenish more than 270 million litres of water to the former, and 300 million to the latter. Read more here.
