In a significant recognition of its environmental stewardship, Banas Dairy has been honored with the prestigious National Water Award for its exceptional contributions to water conservation and management in Gujarat.
Presidential Honor for Water Conservation
Banas Dairy Chairman Shankar Chaudhary received the award from President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The sixth edition of the National Water Awards, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, celebrated the dairy's innovative approach to water security.
The dairy giant, which claims the title of Asia's largest dairy operation, was specifically recognized in the 'Best Industrial Unit' category for its comprehensive water conservation campaign that effectively implemented the concept of 'Janbhagidari' or public participation under the 'Sahakhar se Samriddhi' initiative.
Massive Water Conservation Infrastructure
The scale of Banas Dairy's water conservation achievements is remarkable. The organization has completed construction of more than 325 new lakes and established over 30,000 percolating wells across Banaskantha district, creating substantial water harvesting capacity.
Beyond these community-focused projects, the dairy has also implemented advanced water reuse systems within its own processing plants, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to water management that spans both agricultural and industrial operations.
Dedication to Farmers and Environmental Mission
Chairman Shankar Chaudhary, who also serves as the Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker, dedicated this national honor to the thousands of farmers and cattle rearers of Banaskantha district. He emphasized how the dairy has successfully implemented Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Catch the Rain' campaign through effective public participation.
'Banas Dairy is not only committed to milk production but also to environment and water security,' Chaudhary stated during the award ceremony. He further expressed that this recognition would motivate the organization to continue and expand its excellent work in water conservation, with continuous efforts planned for the future.
The National Water Award serves as a testament to how industrial organizations can play a crucial role in addressing India's water challenges while supporting agricultural communities and maintaining environmental sustainability.
