Rajasthan gets more than 130 Cr CSR commitments for water conservation projects

Jaipur, Dec 2025 : Deliberations throughout the day focused on aligning government schemes with CSR initiatives, linking water security with broader development goals such as improving rural livelihoods, doubling farmers’ income, and strengthening climate resilience. Participants identified priority areas for future collaboration, including infrastructure development, technological innovation, capacity-building initiatives, and scalable water conservation models.

The conference saw wide-ranging participation from all sections of society. Academic leaders including Prof. Pushpendra Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor of SKNAU Jobner, and Dr. Vimla Dunkwal from AU Kota, Prof Mahesh Jat from MNIT Jaipur joined the conference.

MoUs of ₹14 crore were executed, including, ₹9 crore from PHD RDF Chamber of Commerce, ₹5 crore from Piramal Foundation and Arpan Seva Sansthan aimed at mobilizing ₹100 crore investment for carbon credits through plantation on 10,000 hectares of wasteland under CSR support.

Further commitments totaling ₹21 crore came from leading corporates—Ambuja Cement (₹10 crore), Dharampal Satyapal Group (₹5 crore), ITC (₹2 crore), Jamnalal Bajaj Trust (₹1 crore), and HPRRL (₹3 crore). The DS Group also agreed for support to village groundwater cooperatives under the MARVI concept.

Representatives from more than 20 corporate houses such as Piramal Foundation, ITC, Ambuja, Shree Cement, DS group, JK Cement, and the Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj Trust contributed their perspectives. Alongside them, 15 leading NGOs including Arpan Seva Sansthan, Ibtada, Pradan, FES, Centre for Micro Finance, Gayatri Seva Sansthan, and Gramin Vikas Trust enriched the dialogue with grassroots experiences.

Educational and research institutions like ICRISAT, MNIT, IIT Roorkee, Kanoria College and Prof. Basant Maheshwari from Western Sydney University also participated, while Padma Shri awardees Shri Laxman Singh and Shri Shyam Sundar Paliwal added their invaluable insights. Officers from water-related departments further strengthened the deliberations, ensuring a holistic approach to the challenges addressed at the conference.

The Government of Rajasthan received commitments of MoUs worth ₹100 crore with leading CSR partners at a high-level State Consultation on “Building Public–Private–People Partnership for a Water-Secure Rajasthan” in Jaipur. The consultation organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Dept of Watershed development & Soil conservation, Government of Rajasthan and the implementing partner Aravali brought together state departments, CSR organisations, and civil society partners to advance the state’s water-security agenda.

The MoU was signed with CSR partners—Piramal Foundation, PHD Chambers, Arpan Seva, HPCL, and ITC—to support the MJSA 2.0 through strengthened rural infrastructure, innovative water-conservation practices, and enhanced capacity building at the panchayat level.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Madan Dilawar, Hon’ble Minister, Panchayati Raj, Government of Rajasthan, said: “By receiving this ₹100-crore MoU commitments with our CSR partners, we are taking a decisive step toward building a water-secure Rajasthan. This collaboration will strengthen rural infrastructure, promote innovation in water conservation, and empower panchayats through enhanced training and capacity building. With the support of active community participation, we are confident that sustainable solutions will emerge and our villages will move closer to true self-reliance.”

In his keynote address, Mr. Dilawar highlighted the critical role of CSR in community-based interventions under MJSA, noting that such partnerships deepen community engagement and reinforce long-term sustainability. “Collaboration will increase community participation in water management, develop sustainable solutions, and give new direction and momentum to our efforts to make the villages of Rajasthan self-reliant,” he added.

Throughout the consultation, participants reaffirmed the importance of integrated partnerships across government departments, corporate entities, and civil society organisations to achieve a water-secure Rajasthan. Discussions centred on mobilising CSR resources to complement government programmes, formalising partnerships, showcasing successful field interventions, and reviewing the state’s progress in watershed development.

Muhammad Junaid, Director, Watershed Development and Soil Conservation, Government of Rajasthan, set the context for the day-long consultation by presenting progress under initiatives such as MJSA and PMKSY. He emphasised the importance of learning from current innovations, “While the first phase of MJSA has been a success story, there is still a lot to do. Showcasing successful interventions, initiatives, and innovations by CSOs and CSR partners in these consultations is important to form future implementation strategies for stakeholders and develop preliminary action plans for sustained engagement.”

The programme began with a welcome and context-setting session, followed by presentations from state departments on watershed achievements and CSR initiatives in Rajasthan. Senior officials from line departments of MJSA.

Paulos Workneh, Chief, WASH Section, UNICEF India Country Office, reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to environmental sustainability. He said: “For UNICEF, climate resilience and environmental sustainability are central to our mission. Our work is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 6 on safe water and sanitation and Goal 13 on climate action. Since 2023, we have partnered with state departments to converge programs for source sustainability and water security at the local level. With strong leadership and collaboration with the Government, initiatives such as this workshop will pave the way toward the outcomes envisioned in Viksit Rajasthan.”

Reaffirming UNICEF’s long-term partnership with the state, Rushabh Hemani, Chief In-Charge and WASH Specialist, UNICEF Jaipur, added: “In line with the vision document of the state government for 2047 of making Rajasthan water secure, this collaboration is a key milestone. UNICEF Rajasthan has divided the intervention into three phases—2030, 2035 and 2047—to achieve the goal. UNICEF remains committed to deepening engagement with all stakeholders. Together, through collective action and shared responsibility, we can ensure a water-secure, climate-resilient Rajasthan for generations to come.”

The consultation also included experience-sharing sessions with organisations such as AIWC Marvi, Arpan Sansthan, Centre for Science and Environment, Centre for Micro Finance, Ambuja Foundation, Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj Foundation, ITC, PHD Chamber of Commerce, Dharampal Satyapal Group, and Shree Cement Foundation. UNICEF presented field insights and facilitated discussions to inform future action planning.