July 21, 2025 | Mumbai : The Godavari Initiative (TGI) was
spotlighted as a leading example of a place-driven collective action at the
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Global Water Stewardship Forum, held on
June 24–25, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
TGI featured in the session on Collective Action, which explored
emerging models of collaboration across geographies, sectors, and governance
systems.
Representing Diageo, a founding partner and Basin Champion- David
Onyango, Global Partnerships & Advocacy Manager, shared insights on how the
initiative is evolving as a basin-scale effort in India’s Godavari River Basin,
one of the country’s most vital and complex river systems.
The presentation highlighted TGI’s three-pillar framework:
- Gyan (Knowledge)
- Karm (On-ground
Implementation) - Jan (Community
Engagement and Awareness)
This structure enables multi-stakeholder partnerships across
government, industry, and local communities to address interconnected
challenges such as groundwater depletion, biodiversity loss, and fragmented
governance.
Key examples included:
- Nature-based Solutions
(NbS) pilots on afforestation, wetland rejuvenation, and groundwater
recharge - Formal engagement with
district, state, and national government agencies - The launch of the
WaterWise Platform to promote water stewardship among MSMEs
TGI’s role in supporting a more sustainable Simhastha Kumbh 2027 in Nashik,
through collaboration with the Nashik Municipal Corporation, was also
highlighted. The Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings,
drawing millions of pilgrims to sacred rivers across India. The initiative
presents a unique opportunity to align ecological restoration with cultural and
civic planning at scale, ensuring that environmental sustainability is embedded
in the event’s infrastructure and legacy.
The session concluded with a call for corporations to actively engage
in basin-level transformation by investing in long-term, trust-based
partnerships that drive systemic impact.
About AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum
The AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum is a premier international
platform for advancing water stewardship. It brings together members,
implementers, and practitioners to share insights, reflect on evolving
practices, and explore new directions through dialogue and collaboration.
About The Godavari Initiative
The Godavari Initiative (TGI) is a multi-stakeholder platform dedicated
to sustainable river basin management in India. It unites corporates,
government agencies, civil society, and communities to restore the Godavari
River through nature-based solutions, data-driven planning, and inclusive engagement.
Contact:
The Godavari Initiative
secretariat@thegodavariinitiative.in
https://thegodavariinitiative.in/
