The Godavari Initiative’s regional consultation

The Godavari Initiative (TGI), in collaboration with Diageo India as the founding corporate partner hosted a Regional Consultation on Collective Action for the Godavari River Basin on 23rd September 2024, in Nashik. The consultation brought together corporates, industrial bodies and associations, government agencies, civil society organisations, and academia to tackle the urgent ecological challenges faced by the Godavari River and its surrounding regions.

The event was held in the presence of Shashikant Patil, Deputy Engineer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation; Sanjay Sonawane, Vice President North Maharashtra, Maharashtra Chambers of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA); Dhananjay Bele, President, Nashik Industries and Manufacturers Association; Shri Lalit Boob; President, Ambad Industries and Manufacturers' Association from leading industry bodies. The consultation also witnessed presence from leading corporates that are present in the Nashik region, around the Godavari River basin.

Launched earlier in Mumbai with Mukesh Sinha, Chairman, Godavari River Management Board, TGI is a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing the resilience of the Godavari Basin in Maharashtra through collective action, knowledge sharing, and sustainable water management practices.

Navdeep Singh Mehram, Head – CSR & Sustainability, Diageo India said, "At Diageo India, water stewardship has been a longstanding priority for us under our ‘Spirit of Progress’ ESG action plan. Initiatives like this consultation are critical because they bring together government, industries, nonprofits, academia, and communities—to collaborate on practical solutions. We are proud to be a founding corporate partner of this initiative, and believe, collective action is the way forward to restore Godavari’s ecological balance and ensure its sustainability for future generations.”

As next steps, the TGI team will share an outcome document with all key participants to ensure continued engagement, followed up with direct consultations with relevant stakeholders to discuss action plans. This moment is a crucial step in preserving Nashik's water resources for future generations.