On World Water Day 2025, the streets of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar witnessed more than just a gathering—it witnessed a promise. A promise of conscious action, collective effort, and sustainable living.

STL’s Walkathon 2025 – Walking for Water Security brought together over 450 participants including government dignitaries, STL employees, local citizens, and environmental enthusiasts. This 5-kilometer walk wasn’t just a symbolic stride—it was a step forward in STL’s ongoing journey of making communities water-secure, self-sustaining, and ecologically balanced.

Why Water Security Matters More Than Ever

Water is no longer just a natural resource—it is a lifeline that sustains economies, ecosystems, and everyday existence. Yet, with climate change, urban sprawl, population pressures, and inefficient usage, India faces one of the most significant water crises of our time.

• Nearly million Indians face high to extreme water stress.

• 21 Indian cities may run out of groundwater by 2030, according to NITI Aayog.
• Agriculture, the backbone of rural India, suffers the most from irregular rainfall and depleting water tables.

This context makes STL’s mission not just important but urgent. Water security isn’t just about availability; it’s about access, efficiency, and sustainability —and STL is stepping up to this challenge.

The Walkathon 2025: Walking with Purpose

The heart of the event was a 5-kilometer walk, charting a route from the Regional Sports Complex to Gajanan Maharaj Temple. This stretch came alive with banners, slogans, community cheers, and shared determination. Participants walked hand-in-hand—symbolizing unity in purpose and urgency in action.

The Walkathon wasn’t just about covering distance; it was about spreading awareness. Each step was a reminder that every drop counts, and that small, consistent efforts can lead to massive impact.

The event saw participation from:

• 100+ STLers from the local plant

• Government representatives from the district and state

• Citizens of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar who have directly benefited from STL’s water and afforestation initiatives

Leaders and Community in Action

Adding momentum and credibility to the movement was the presence of respected leaders and officials:

• Hon. Smt. Meghna Sakore Bordikar, Minister of State for Public Health, Water Supply & Sanitation, Women & Child Development

• Mr. Swami, District Commissioner, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

• Senior officials and local dignitaries who have been instrumental in enabling grassroots action

Their active involvement wasn’t just ceremonial—it was symbolic of how government and industry can come together for the greater good. The minister’s presence also lent strong validation to STL’s impact on rural and urban sustainability.

Transforming Villages: STL’s Water Impact So Far

STL’s sustainability efforts go far beyond a one-day walk. In partnership with the Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF) and district administration, STL has implemented long-term rural water programs designed to empower communities and build resilience.

Here’s a snapshot of STL’s rural water initiatives:

• 1.5 lakh people impacted across over 50 villages
• 100+ water conservation structures built, securing 2.69 million cubic liters of water
• Extensive soil and water conservation to improve groundwater recharge

• 400,000+ trees planted to retain moisture, reduce erosion, and restore green cover

These are not isolated CSR projects—they are integrated interventions that create self-reliant water ecosystems in villages, reducing their dependence on external sources.

Reclaiming Urban Ecosystems: The Kham River Urban Forest

Sustainability doesn’t end at the village gate. STL has also taken significant strides in urban rejuvenation—especially with the Kham River Urban Forest Project, a green lung developed in the heart of the city.

During her visit to the Kham River Urban Forest, Hon. Minister Meghna Sakore Bordikar acknowledged STL’s pioneering work in:

• Afforestation
• Urban water conservation
• Restoring riverine biodiversity

With over 50,000 trees planted, this urban forest is more than just a park—it’s a living, breathing symbol of hope. It demonstrates how even degraded city landscapes can be reclaimed through planning, effort, and care.

Sustainability at STL: Walking the Talk

STL doesn’t treat sustainability as a side project. It is embedded in the core philosophy of how the company operates, manufactures, and innovates.

The company’s environmental vision is rooted in:

• Circular economy principles
• Zero discharge and zero landfill practices
• A goal to leave every community and environment better than they found it

This commitment manifests across all operations and geographies, especially in water-intensive processes. STL has made systemic changes in its own plants and supply chain to drive measurable, traceable, and impactful results.

Zero Waste, Zero Discharge: STL’s Environmental Framework

As a Zero Water Discharge and Zero Waste to Landfill Certified Company, STL walks the talk:

• Advanced wastewater treatment systems across all facilities
• Rainwater harvesting systems to reduce dependence on external water
• Repurposing and reusing packaging materials to eliminate unnecessary waste
• Innovations in waste-to-value conversion, creating usable materials from industrial byproducts

These efforts not only reduce STL’s environmental footprint but set a benchmark for others in the telecom and technology industry.

Beyond One Day: Creating Long-Term Water Resilience

The Walkathon is not a standalone event—it’s part of a larger ecosystem of change STL is cultivating. Through collaborations with government agencies, village development bodies, and NGOs, STL is working toward policy advocacy, education, and behavior change around water usage.

Key long-term goals include:

• Enabling climate-resilient agriculture
• Supporting community ownership of water assets
• Building more eco parks and green corridors
• Launching awareness campaigns in schools and public spaces

These aren’t just ideas on paper. With STL’s proven ability to execute, scale, and sustain large-impact projects, these goals are becoming tangible realities.

The Road Ahead—Together Towards a Water-Secure Future

STL’s Walkathon 2025 was a celebration—but more importantly, it was a call to action. A call to companies, citizens, and governments alike to treat water not just as a resource but as a shared responsibility.

Whether it’s constructing check dams in rural villages, planting trees in urban jungles, or reengineering its own operations to reuse every drop—STL is walking the talk, quite literally.

Let this Walkathon be the beginning of many more conversations, actions, and collaborations. Because every step matters, and every drop counts.

Together, we can—and must—create a water-resilient future.