| Metric | Target 2030 | Performance in FY 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Water harvesting potential created as % of annual freshwater consumption every year | >70% | 431% |
Water stewardship refers to CSR-led Watermark interventions that strengthen water security for communities around our manufacturing locations. These initiatives complement, but are reported separately from, operational water management and replenishment metrics covered in the Environment section.
Watermark initiative
Recognising water is a shared resource, our flagship initiative Watermark centres on collective action to strengthen water security. The programme works with communities, local institutions and implementation partners to restore local water ecosystems, improve water availability and promote responsible water use. It combines supply-side interventions that improve storage, recharge and conveyance with demand-side measures that support efficient and sustainable water use.
In FY 2025-26, Watermark continued to strengthen both scale and community ownership. The initiative benefited 15,361 farmers, including 14,757 small and marginal farmers, reached 155 villages, restored 147 water bodies and created 29,37,913 KL of water harvesting potential. It also supported 5,798 hectares of area under irrigation, improved 250 hectares of farmland through silt application and enabled 92 Water User Groups to support local water governance.
Supply-side interventions
Supply-side interventions focus on strengthening water availability by improving storage, recharge and conveyance. These interventions are selected based on local hydrology, community needs and long-term maintenance considerations, and are implemented in partnership with communities and local institutions.
- Canal lining to reduce seepage losses and improve irrigation water delivery to farms
- Integrated watershed management to reduce runoff, prevent soil erosion and improve recharge potential
- Rejuvenation of ponds, lakes and tanks to restore storage capacity and improve groundwater recharge
- Phycoremediation and other nature-based approaches to improve water quality and reduce contamination risks
- Construction and renovation of check dams to slow surface runoff, reduce soil erosion and enhance recharge
- Development of water harvesting structures to capture rainwater, reduce runoff and strengthen local water availability
- On-farm recharge structures to improve rainwater percolation within farmlands and reduce dependence on groundwater extraction
Supply-side interventions
147
Water bodies restored
29,37,913 KL
Water harvesting potential created
5,798 hectares
Area under irrigation
92
Water User Groups formed
Demand-side interventions
Demand-side interventions focus on improving how available water is used, particularly in agriculture. These initiatives support farmers in adopting practices that reduce water intensity, improve soil moisture retention and enhance climate resilience, while complementing the storage and recharge benefits created through supply-side measures.
- Promotion of micro-irrigation systems to optimise water use and improve irrigation efficiency
- Farmer training and field demonstrations to support adoption of water-efficient agricultural practices
- Convergence with government schemes that support water-efficient agriculture and rural water infrastructure
- Promotion of low water-intensive crops and improved crop varieties suited to local conditions
- Adoption of water-efficient farming practices, including mulching, to reduce evaporation and improve soil moisture retention
Demand-side impact
250 hectares
Farmland improved through silt application
14,757
Small and marginal farmers benefited
15,361
Farmers benefited
155
Villages reached
Rejuvenation of Water Bodies
Siludi Gram Panchayat, Bharuch
62,260 KL
Pond storage capacity restored
39
Farmers benefited
Asian Paints supported the restoration of the Siludi Gram Panchayat village pond in Bharuch district, Gujarat. The intervention focused on restoring storage capacity and strengthening local water availability for farming communities.
The restored pond now supports improved groundwater recharge and irrigation access, helping farmers manage water stress during dry periods. It also improves access to water for crops and livestock, contributing to more resilient rural livelihoods.
Annavali Thangal, Cuddalore
30,160 KL
Water storage potential created
120
Farmer families benefited
Under the Water for Livelihood initiative, Asian Paints supported the rejuvenation of Annavali Thangal, a historic village lake serving farming communities in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The intervention involved desilting the lake, strengthening bunds and restoring water retention capacity to improve agricultural water availability and support long-term water security in the region.
The restored lake has improved storage and groundwater recharge, reduced irrigation time and costs, supported cultivation across multiple seasons and strengthened agricultural productivity. It has also improved access to water for livestock, reduced flood risks and enhanced community resilience during periods of water stress.
Dansoli, Bharuch
14,150 KL
Storage capacity created
20.38 hectares
Area brought under irrigation
15
Farming households benefited
~7,500
Cattle supported with drinking water access
Under the Water for Livelihood – initiative, Asian Paints supported the rejuvenation of a barren ravine on village gauchar land in Dansoli, Bharuch district, Gujarat. The village had historically depended on rainfed farming, with groundwater available at nearly 200 feet, rising salinity and limited functional borewells restricting cultivation largely to a single monsoon cotton crop.
Implemented with AKRSP(I), the intervention followed a participatory process involving village consultations, technical assessments and joint site visits. A 15-member Dansoli Water User Group was formed to lead planning, decision-making and long-term management. During FY 2025-26, the pond was deepened and desilted, and its bunds were strengthened, creating nearly 14,150 KL of storage capacity. Farmers also used excavated fertile soil to enrich their fields.
The restored pond has improved groundwater recharge and help reduce salinity, also supporting drinking water availability for cattle in Dansoli and neighbouring villages. Beyond infrastructure, the Water User Group has emerged as a local institution for equitable water distribution, operation and maintenance, while also supporting kitchen gardens, integrated pest management tools and mango plantation.
