A noteworthy fact in the CSR spends of the past 5 years is the growing emphasis on healthcare, WASH and environment sustainability (JICA Report). This bodes well for achieving India’s net zero goals by 2070. And given the rise in extreme climatic events in India over the last decade, I would go so far as to say that CSR investment in WASH and climate resilience has now become a necessity. We need only look back to the water shed moment of the Covid-19 pandemic to see the linkages between public health and hygiene and economic growth, when India lost approximately 52 lakh crores within a span of three years (2020-23), which is about 12% of the actual GDP (RBI report). Assuming a growth rate of 7.5%, India will take till 2034-35 to recover from these losses. As a nation we can no longer ignore the impact of public health on our economy, which in turn is impacted by our water and sanitation ecosystem. Inadequate WASH services and infrastructure can put a strain on public health budgets, loss of productivity, disruption of supply chains and also adversely change consumer behaviour and spending patterns. Conversely because of the WASH programs underway under Swachh Bharat Mission – many of the India Sanitation Coalition’s (ISC) programs with corporate partners was on hand washing and hygiene at schools and villages, making Covid related hygiene practices easier to implement.
The Indian government is playing its part through a number of targeted programs aimed at sustainable, inclusive and climate-conscious water and sanitation services, such as SBM, JJM and AMRUT. However, the need of the hour is for the corporate sector to strengthen the government’s hand and look at models of partnership involving public spending, CSR, philanthropic donations or concessional financing. Such collaborations can address long-term sustainability of models while also involving the community at large.
ISC has successfully demonstrated such models through its programs targeted at both urban and rural sanitation. In The Light House Initiative , ISC is working with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, MoJS, wherein the techno-managerial strength of companies is being successfully leveraged to bring sustainable and scalable WASH solutions to rural India . Far sighted corporates pick districts of interest and partner with local governments to implement and deploy under-utilised budgeted funds provided for water and waste management. Another ISC project on Plastic Circularity supported by Godrej is addressing the challenges of PWM in densely populated urban cities by showcasing models that ensure not only plastic circularity but also sustainable livelihoods and well-being of waste workers. Investing in the health of local communities enhances corporate benefits by improving the health and welfare of their workforce.
and fostering goodwill within the villages where they operate. I urge both, the government and private sector, to evaluate and replicate such PPP models for development. After all, corporates thrive and the country benefits when their communities flourish.
Ms Naina Lal Kidwai is Chair, India Sanitation Coalition