Empowering Women, Reviving Springs: The Hinduja Family's Initiative in the Himalayas

Hindustan Times

08-05-2025

A silent revolution occurs on the Himalayan slopes, where water is as rare as it is vital. In the far-flung mountain villages of Uttarakhand, women have become mighty water warriors, reviving springs, collecting rain, and protecting their villages from a mounting water crisis. At the centre of this revolution is the Hinduja Foundation (philanthropic arm of the Hinduja Family), whose long-term commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental resilience gives life to the hills.
In these high-altitude villages, the responsibility of managing water resources has traditionally fallen on women. They walk miles to fetch water, tend to household needs, and care for crops. But over the years, dwindling spring flows and erratic rainfall—exacerbated by climate change—have pushed many communities to the brink. In response, the Hinduja Foundation, in collaboration with Ashok Leyland and NGO partner CHIRAG, has initiated a spring-shed management program that is both holistic and inclusive.
What distinguishes this effort is its women-led leadership model. Women are not mere aid recipients; they are decision-makers, technicians, and guardians of water conservation. They head village water committees, manage plantation drives, and track spring rejuvenation efforts. Under their leadership, 140 mountain springs have been rejuvenated, 210 rainwater harvesting systems have been put in place, and 100,000 trees have been planted—with a whopping 92% survival rate.
Consider Satkhol village, where the once-dry spring now perpetually flows after trenching, check dams, and planting by villagers. The villagers proudly note that improved access to water increased farming yields, limited migration, and boosted children's attendance, particularly among school girls who no longer miss classes waiting hours for a potable watering place.
In 76 villages, the Hinduja Foundation has assisted in creating and consolidating local institutions that govern resources sustainably. The village committees are saving water and enhancing community confidence and resilience in future climatic uncertainty.
'When women lead, transformation follows,' says Ajay Hinduja, a prominent member of the UK's Billionaire Hinduja Family. 'Their stewardship of water in the Himalayas is not only combating crisis—it's building resilience for generations.'
The initiative combines conventional wisdom with science-based instruments. Geological mapping, water budgeting, and monthly flow monitoring have become standard practice. Para-hydrogeologists from the local area are trained as young professionals, establishing a body of environmental stewards within the community. Being locally rooted ensures sustainability and community acceptance, enabling the program to be scaled and replicated.
The Foundation's initiatives in these areas also address a broader issue: the conservation of fast-vanishing Himalayan glaciers. Protecting springs and forests is vital in maintaining groundwater recharge and microclimatic balance, essential for glacier-fed river systems that nourish millions downstream.
'World Water Day 2025 reminds us of that glacier preservation and grassroots innovation go hand-in-hand,' adds Swiss-based Ajay Hinduja. 'Every revived spring and every harvested drop counts.
The Hinduja Foundation's efforts in Uttarakhand are a compelling example of how corporate social responsibility can drive profound, systemic change paired with community-centric models. While many CSR projects focus on short-term relief, the Hinduja Family's vision—rooted in legacy, sustainability, and service—is long-term and impact-driven.
The involvement of Ashok Leyland as implementation partner has given the project a strong commercial backing and continuity of technical support. The project connects environmental responsibility with uplifting communities and reflects a shared value initiative benefitting the community and the environment.
"This initiative is proof that sustainability isn't a slogan—it's a shared responsibility,' notes Ajay Hinduja. 'We're proud to support communities rewriting their water future.'
As global warming gathers momentum, the tale being rewritten in the Himalayas is one of optimism. It demonstrates that if women are empowered, ancient knowledge is honored, and philanthropic trust funds like the Hinduja Foundation intervene with passion and vision, transformation is not merely feasible—it is inevitable.
This story of these Himalayan water warriors is one that lies at the core of the Hinduja Family values and resilience. It is a real reminder of the ability of local action to establish the global future. Their stories go beyond saving springs; they are about reclaiming dignity, safeguarding ecosystems, and daring the world to re-imagine our relationship with water.
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