Jamshedpur : Tata Steel Foundation has won the CII National Award for Excellence in Water Management 2026 in the Beyond the Fence category for its Kalinganagar Integrated Watershed Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project in Odisha.
The award recognises the project’s efforts to improve water security, strengthen rural livelihoods and promote sustainable natural resource management through community participation.
Watershed Project Covers 12 Villages in Odisha
Located within the catchment of the Brahmani River Basin, the project covers a geographical area of 3,270.87 hectares across 12 villages and nine Gram Panchayats in the Danagadi and Sukinda blocks of Jajpur district, Odisha.
The initiative was designed to address challenges faced by rural communities, including dependence on rainfall, land degradation, low agricultural productivity and livelihood insecurity.
Through an integrated ridge-to-valley watershed management approach, the project has focused on improving irrigation facilities, restoring degraded land and promoting sustainable use of water and other natural resources.
Irrigation Expanded Across 207 Hectares
Over four years, the project has delivered several measurable outcomes. It has brought an additional 207 hectares under irrigation, treated 427 hectares of land and improved the groundwater table by approximately one metre below ground level.
The initiative has also restored 143 hectares of previously uncultivable land for productive agricultural use.
Alongside water conservation, the project has promoted sustainable farming practices, crop diversification and community-led natural resource management to strengthen agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
Household Incomes Rise by 33.13%
According to the Foundation, these interventions have contributed to a 33.13% increase in average annual household income over baseline levels, positively impacting 4,820 people, predominantly from marginalised communities.
The project combines water management with livelihood development, helping communities improve their access to irrigation and make more productive use of agricultural land.
The award recognises the outcomes achieved through this approach and Tata Steel Foundation’s commitment to community-led water stewardship.
National Award Ceremony Attended by Senior Officials
The award ceremony was attended by Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti; Rajeev Kumar Mittal, Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG); and D. Senthil, Joint Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, among other policymakers and sector leaders.
Tata Steel Foundation was represented by Debdoot Mohanty, COO, Tata Steel Foundation; Anant Singh, Head – Agriculture; and other Foundation officials.
Foundation Highlights Community Participation
Commenting on the recognition, Sourav Roy, CEO of Tata Steel Foundation, said:
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of communities and the dedication and technical capability of our teams in addressing water and livelihood challenges in Kalinganagar. Looking ahead, we aim to build on these efforts to strengthen water security, support resilient rural livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development for generations to come.”
The national recognition reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to developing sustainable and scalable solutions for water-related challenges while strengthening community resilience.
Tata Steel Foundation continues to work with local institutions, government agencies and community stakeholders to promote participatory water governance and long-term environmental sustainability.
