By 2030, India’s demand for water could be double available supply (Composite Water Management Index, NITI Aayog, 2018). Nearly 40% of the population may lack access to drinking water. The crisis is real, and solving it is only possible through collaboration.
At the heart of India’s water challenge are farming communities, who are among the worst affected by water insecurity, yet hold deep, practical knowledge that is critical to managing water sustainably. When communities lead water management, it doesn’t just conserve water; it can also empower women to take ownership of budgeting, conservation, and local decision-making.
In this essential episode of Decoding Impact, Rathish Balakrishnan and Dr Shraman Jha break down:
- What water security really means
- How data enables smarter water decisions
- How to design community-led interventions that work
- Why livelihoods and conservation don’t have to be trade-offs
Grounded in real-world experiences and case studies, this must-watch discussion reinforces the importance of centring communities. When impact practitioners work with communities in ways that resonate with their lived realities, it could unlock pathways to lasting water security
Key topics discussed:
1. India’s water gaps and the vision of Hindustan Unilever Foundation
2. Why water shortage remains an “invisible” problem
3. Understanding the facets of water security
4. The regional realities of water in India
5. Engaging communities through water data and demonstration
6. How rural women are championing water budgets
7. The Bhil Tribe’s beautiful tradition of Halma
8. The availability of effective water data
9. Aligning diverse stakeholders, defining meaningful metrics to track water security outcomes, and exploring collaboration models for collective action
10. The power of having a common agenda, while maintaining independent action
