CII Foundation (CIIF) was set up by CII in 2011 to undertake a wide range of developmental and charitable activities pan India by enabling industry for infusing inclusive development. CIIF works towards inclusive development by providing a meaningful bridge between marginalized communities and donors, especially corporates by providing strategic guidance on CSR and developing and managing high impact programmes. The thematic areas of CIIF include: Early
Childhood Education, Women Empowerment; Climate Change Resilience; Disaster Relief and
Rehabilitation. In this effort, the Foundation works together with corporates, governments, communities, and civil society institutions to channelize their collective resources towards social and community development.
In Maharashtra, CII Foundation in partnership with CIITriveni Water Institute (CII-TWI), initiated water resource mapping, planning and conservation program across villages in six districts. In 2017, CII’s WATSCAN Tool was applied in Aurangabad district for undertaking water resource assessment at the district’s watershed level. The Water Planning & Assessment Tool (WATSCAN) is an IT driven, GIS and Remote Sensing based information system for comprehensive watershed evaluation. The tool scientifically identifies are as of high & low water generation, accumulation and losses, which further helps in creating strategies for an improved water scenario.
On the basis of findings from the water resource mapping, CIIF and CII-TWI have undertaken an on-ground intervention to manage the supply-demand mismatch and create widespread awareness on water management in four water scarce villages in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. The four water scarce villages- Paithan Kheda, Shivnai, Keshapuri and Pangra in Paithan Taluk are also covered under Jalayukt Shivar Abhiyan and Social Transformation Mission. The key interventions include installation of Automatic Weather Stations, constructing check dams, cement nala bunds (CNB), gabion dam and trench with recharge shafts. The community is actively engaged through regular interactions to ensure sustainability of the implemented strategies. Interdepartmental coalition has also been instrumental in identifying and bridging the supplyAbout CII Foundation demand gaps for optimal generation and usage of water resources
To enable measurement of real time data on rainfall and temperature, two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been installed at Group Gram Panchayat Offices in Pangra and Paithan Kheda villages. This data is periodically being collected and will be further used to analyse climatic conditions, sensitize farmers and build awareness on improved crop management.
NRM workshop to promote NRM mode
CII directed efforts towards encouraging companies to be impact oriented, with a focus on initiatives aimed at making an integral contribution to development. Possibilities of corporate engagement towards replicating and mainstreaming Natural Resource Management (NRM) models through CSR was explored. A Roundtable brought together the key stakeholders to promote, present and demonstrate pilot models, driven under the GIZ-NABARD Umbrella Programme for Natural- Resource Management (UPNRM).