The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 22, 2025
On World Water Day, Vedanta Limited reaffirms its commitment to sustainability with an ambitious goal — achieving Net Water Positivity by 2030. Leading the way in responsible water stewardship, several of its businesses, including Cairn Oil & Gas, Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), Sesa Goa, Black Mountain Mines, and FACOR, have already been certified as water positive, underscoring Vedanta’s leadership in sustainable water management.
With a sharp focus on reducing freshwater dependency and maximizing conservation, Vedanta has implemented Internal Water Pricing across its business units, driving accountability and efficiency. Since FY21, the company has successfully reduced freshwater consumption by 3 per cent, with HZL pioneering a zero-discharge policy and targeting a 25 per cent cut in freshwater use by 2025. The company’s 60 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant in Udaipur is another major milestone, recycling treated water for industrial use and significantly easing pressure on freshwater resources.
Beyond operational efficiencies, Vedanta is transforming lives through community-driven water initiatives. Hindustan Zinc’s Drinking Water and Water Augmentation project is providing safe drinking water in Rajasthan — one of India’s most water-stressed regions. In collaboration with Neer Amrit LLP, the initiative has deployed RO/ATM water stations and water tankers across multiple districts, ensuring clean water access for thousands. Meanwhile, Cairn Oil & Gas’ Jeevan Amrit Project has installed 124 RO plants, supplying 6.9 million liters of potable water and benefiting over 11,429 families in FY 2024.
Emphasizinf the company’s dedication to water conservation, Deshnee Naidoo, CEO of Vedanta Resources, said: “At Vedanta, every drop of water is invaluable — not just for our operations but for the communities and ecosystems we serve. Our commitment to Net Water Positivity by 2030 reflects our relentless pursuit of responsible resource management. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, optimizing freshwater use, and investing in transformative community projects, we are not just reducing our water footprint — we are creating a lasting impact. Sustainability is ingrained in our business, and we will continue setting new ESG benchmarks to build a water-secure future for all.”
Vedanta is also making significant strides in groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting. HZL’s Rampura Agucha Mine is spearheading a groundwater recharge initiative with an 8.7 million m³ capacity, while Cairn Oil & Gas is constructing rainwater harvesting structures expected to contribute 2.5 million m³ of freshwater annually by 2025. Additionally, Vedanta Aluminium’s watershed management project in Lanjigarh is ensuring 34.5 lakh m³ of water storage for agriculture and local communities.
These efforts have solidified Vedanta’s position as a leader in water sustainability. HZL has been certified 2.41x water positive by DNV, while Sesa Goa and Cairn have earned Net Water Positive certification from TÜV. By driving innovation, large-scale conservation, and impactful community programs, Vedanta is not only conserving water — it is revitalizing ecosystems, empowering communities, and setting new benchmarks for sustainable resource management.
