The 4th Earth Care Awards were given away in 2012-13. The awards are aimed at highlighting actions of direct relevance to India to tackle challenges posed by climate change. So far, 32 Climate Crusaders have been recognised by Earth Care Awards.

This is a pilot project in six villages in Vijayanagar. It promotes community involvement in collection, disposal and management of village waste. This has been established following a prolonged dialogue with the community. Village shops have been persuaded to purchase two used drums and every household is given two waste bins for segregating their waste (dry and wet). The community has nominated village men and women for daily collection of wastes. In the coming years, we will process this garbage. So far the total collection is 7148 tons.

The Foundation observed that young children around its plants locations are concerned about the smoke emerging from its chimneys and about the longevity of their river because of the plant effluents. This project enables us to get children to see the plant, discuss their concerns and understand the operations. For the Foundation, this has proved to be an important ice breaking activity in subsequent work with the parents of these children. In 2012-13 we conducted 17 exposure visits in the plant premises. So far, 42 camps covering 1933 students have been acquainted with the rigour measures towards zero effluent discharge followed in the plant premises.

JSW has identified environment and climate change as strategic priority areas and wants to ensure the next generation of JSW employees are prepared for the changes ahead. To provide an overview of climate change issues and mitigation options workshops were conducted in partnership with Earth Watch Institute, Sirsi. Earthwatch is one of the largest environmental engagement and research organizations in the world with over 20 years experience working with business. JSW-Earthwatch ‘Leadership Programme on Climate Change’ has been organized for 6 batches. In 2012-13 a selected group of 12 employees underwent a week long orientation at Sirsi and the project they have developed will lead to process efficiency and savings. The Innovations Initiative is following up with these employees.

A pilot project is initiated in village Talur to enable local community to plan and manage their own water supply system. The specially created village water committee was taken on a study tour to Bhavnagar, Gujarat. We hope this will begin in December 2013.

The effort is being extended beyond the boundaries of our plants and into the communities that we operate in. In Barmer, Rajasthan, for instance, the JSW Foundation works with the Watershed Organisation Trust and the community to revive large tracts of arid land. As a result of the collaborative work, 24 agors (water tanks) have been revived, thus rejuvenating about 95 hectares of land. The total project plan is to cover 132 hectare. The indicators of the success of the project are already visible. The Foundation is also working towards facilitating rainwater harvesting in the plants premises and communities around.