Tirupathi, March 22, 2015

Reaffirming its commitment towards Water Stewardship and Water Management, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., today, dedicated a water conservation project in the premises of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University and Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College. The initiative is aimed at improving the availability of water and ground water recharge in the catchment area.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, IAS, Vice Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University & Principal Secretary – Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Dept, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh dedicated the project in the presence of Prof. T. S. Chandrasekhara Rao, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prof. P. Sudhakara Reddy, registrar, Prof. D.Sreenivasulu, Associate Dean, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Dr. N.P. Eswara Reddy, Associate Dean, Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University Hyderabad, and Senior executives from Hindustan Coca-Cola, faculty and students.

NGO partner ROPE (Rural Organization for Poverty Eradication), has implemented the project.

According to Mr .M Pardha Saradhi, Zonal Head – Public Affairs & Communications, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, “At Hindustan Coca-Cola, we have always been aware of the role water plays in the communities in which we operate. It is our endeavour to put forth resources for water stewardship and at the same time, create awareness amongst stakeholders to help maintain the facilities.”

“In Andhra Pradesh, over the years, under the water stewardship initiatives, various water replenishment projects have been undertaken with an aim towards replenishing ground water and this is yet another in the same direction’, he further added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Manmohan Singh, IAS, Vice Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University & Principal Secretary – Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Dept., Govt. of Andhra Pradesh said “We appreciate the efforts of Hindustan Coca-Cola for this initiative. This project will help to increase the impounding capacities at the check dams, farm ponds, Gabion Structures, Check Walls, Percolation tanks and also control the velocity of the run off through Contour Bunds. The stored water will not only be useful for the crop survival irrigation in the campus but also helps in for live demonstration of projects to the students and farmers groups visit the campuses about the importance of ground water recharge and which resulting into improvement in quality and quantity of ground water and bore well yields”.

Prof.T.S.Chandrasekhara Rao, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prof. P.Sudhakara Reddy, Registrar of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University appreciated the efforts of HCCBPL towards providing a long term water recharge initiatives within the campus and also requested them to extend their continuous support in this arena.

Dr. N.P. Eswara Reddy, Associate Dean, Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupathi, said, “it is good to see a company like Hindustan Coca-Cola coming forward in a significant way to work in the area of ground water recharge. All water user groups need to take note of declining ground water situation and take corrective actions in terms of adopting better water management as well as water recharge practices.”

Mr.B.R.S.Reddy, Factory Manager, Mr. S.P.V.Ramana, Sales Manager, Venugopala Rao Sreeram H.R Manager, HCCBPL, and Munichandra Reddy, President of ROPE participated in the ceremony.

About Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, is the largest bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in India. It is part of the The Coca-Cola Company’s Bottling Investment Group (BiG) and responsible for the manufacture, package, sale and distribution of beverages under the trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. The Company has always placed high value on good citizenship. For further information on the Company’s India operations and its products, please visit www.hindustancoca-cola.com.