Vedanta Boosts Water Security in Kalahandi, Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of World Environment Day, Vedanta Aluminium has highlighted its growing water stewardship and watershed development initiatives in Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, aimed at improving water security, enhancing irrigation facilities and supporting sustainable rural livelihoods.

The company said it has created more than 18 lakh cubic metres of water storage and groundwater recharge capacity around its Lanjigarh refinery, significantly improving access to water for farming and household use in water-stressed areas.

As part of its integrated watershed and community water management programme, Vedanta has revived over 73 water bodies across 26 villages and enabled irrigation across more than 1,600 acres of farmland, benefiting over 4,000 people. The initiatives are helping address long-standing water scarcity challenges in one of Odisha’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Residents of the beneficiary villages have reported improved access to water throughout the year. “Water used to be a daily struggle, especially during the dry months. The restoration of water bodies has ensured water availability closer to our homes and reduced our hardship,” said Karbi Majhi of Banigaon village.

The interventions include scientific rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, farm ponds, check dams and community-led water management systems designed to improve soil moisture retention and reduce runoff losses. Improved irrigation facilities have also supported agricultural productivity and crop diversification in the largely agrarian Kalahandi district.

“Earlier, farming depended entirely on rainfall. With irrigation now available, we can cultivate more confidently and even grow an additional crop, bringing stability to our income,” said farmer Dhananjaya Patra of Batelima village.

In a further step towards strengthening regional water security, Vedanta Aluminium has developed a hydrogeological blueprint for the Sijimali region. Scientific assessments indicate the potential to increase local water availability by up to 200 per cent through improved rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and soil conservation measures.

The proposed plan includes contour bunding, check dams, settling ponds, slope stabilisation structures and a 7.5-kilometre drainage network aimed at improving rainwater capture and storage. The company stated that adequate safeguards have been incorporated to protect groundwater resources, with proposed activities planned at depths significantly above local aquifers.

Complementing its water conservation initiatives, Vedanta has undertaken a large-scale afforestation programme, planting more than 2.2 million trees across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. The plantation drive is expected to improve soil stability, enhance moisture retention and strengthen biodiversity in the region.

Vedanta Aluminium said its water stewardship initiatives are part of a broader commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation and responsible resource management, with a focus on improving long-term ecological and community resilience.