The sewage is separately treated in Sewage Treatment Plants and utilized for irrigation purposes to reduce the demand for fresh water intake. The Company has implemented rain water harvesting projects inside the premises as well as off-site around the sites to conserve water and rejuvenate ground water by adopting ponds in the villages around which we operate. There has been a considerable reduction in terms of water year on year. We have achieved reduction in water consumption of over 60% during the last two decades at our Kota site by adding re-circulating cooling towers instead of once through cooling systems, recycling/reuse of treated effluents, increase in COC in existing cooling towers, integrating water usage across unit process operations etc. We are continuously working on reduction of water consumption and reduction of effluent generation.

As part of its EHS improvement program, the company has instituted aggressive water minimization and recycling programs at Bharuch and Kota facilities. Annually, rainwater harvesting programs at Bharuch and Kota contribute saving of water approximately 65,000 KL and 450,000 KL, respectively. This has not only helped in conserving water but also helped in recharging groundwater, benefiting the community in the vicinity.

The Meetha Sona project based on 3 ‘S’ principles i.e., suitability, scalability and sustainability, has positively impacted 2.5 lakhs farmers. A multi-pronged approach by DCM Shriram Ltd.’s Sugar Business is leading to productivity enhancement, large-scale conservation of water resources and soil health enhancement in the catchment area of our four sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh.

The Company puts continuous efforts in raising awareness among farmers to enhance sugarcane yield, use non-chemical pest control, and promoting use of bio-compost. This helps in providing better returns to the farming community with increased productivity and also enhances soil fertility, and protects and preserves the environment from undue chemicals.