In a landmark achievement for the cooperative sector, Sumul Dairy has become the first cooperative union in India to receive international Water Credits for its pioneering rainwater recharge initiative.
The recognition was awarded for a project implemented across 100 Dairy Cooperative Societies in Surat and Tapi districts, reinforcing the role of cooperatives in sustainable water management.
Under the initiative, nearly 25 million litres of rainwater have been recharged into groundwater systems, generating around 25,000 Water Credits. The project introduces an innovative model that links water conservation with economic benefits, enabling cooperative societies to potentially earn additional revenue through the trading of water credits while ensuring long-term groundwater sustainability.
The initiative supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15). By utilizing existing infrastructure and adopting a low-cost, low-maintenance approach, Sumul Dairy has created a scalable and replicable model for water-stressed regions across the country.
The achievement highlights the growing role of cooperatives in tackling environmental challenges such as groundwater depletion.