Carlsberg India has announced that it has expanded its collaboration partnership with WaterAid India, to support water conservation projects in the areas surrounding Carlsberg breweries in Kolkata, Aurangabad, and Hyderabad.
The partnership, which was originally established in 2023, now extends to 30 villages, known as Gram Panchayats, across West Bengal, Telangana, and Maharashtra. According to Carlsberg, the partnership’s efforts directly benefit 51,000 individuals.
Water conservation projects
Among the measures being implemented as part of the partnership are groundwater recharge, improving water-use efficiency, and promoting sustainable water management practices, which collectively save more than 320,000 cubic meters of water annually.
‘Recognising water as a key ingredient in brewing, Carlsberg is committed to replenishing the same amount of water it consumes at its breweries through off-site projects with local communities and ecosystems,’ Carlsberg said in a statement. ‘The programme includes tangible conservation measures, awareness campaigns, training sessions, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.’
Water availability
Carlsberg’s three-year plan with WaterAid seeks to address some of the critical issues that impact water availability, including the over-extraction of groundwater for agricultural use and disruptions in rainfall patterns caused by climate change.
It also plans to revitalise lakes and ponds to encourage natural water flow, utilise rainwater to recharge deep aquifers and ensure long-term water security, and implement rooftop rainwater harvesting for drinking and domestic use, among other measures.
“Our collaboration with WaterAid fosters a resilient future by promoting community-led water conservation efforts,” commented Nilesh Patel, managing director of Carlsberg India. “Staying true to our philosophy of brewing for a better tomorrow, we are dedicated to building a lasting and sustainable future for the communities around our breweries.”
Elsewhere, VK Madhavan, chief executive of WaterAid India, added that the partnership “strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring a reliable supply of drinking water, particularly in water-stressed regions”. Read more here.
