The growing water scarcity has become one of the most alarming global trends, threatening ecosystems, disrupting wildlife habitats, and endangering the livelihoods of tribal communities that have relied on natural water sources for generations. According to UNICEF, "half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity by as early as 2025.” This poses an existential threat to wildlife, local communities, tribes, plants, and ecological functions. Amid this crisis, a silver lining emerges with more corporate companies ramping up their efforts to conserve wildlife and biodiversity through water stewardship.
As part of its commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability, the Virtusa Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Virtusa Corporation, has successfully installed 10 solar-powered borewells in the heart of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve, a sanctuary for rare flora and fauna, covers 2,611 square kilometers across Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts. These automated borewells, powered by clean energy, ensure a consistent water supply for tigers, wild boars, nilgai, and blackbuck without human intervention.
The borewell initiative demonstrates our dedication to sustainability and biodiversity conservation, which extends beyond just protecting the environment. Mr. Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer of Virtusa, emphasizes this initiative's importance in ecosystem preservation while "building a more sustainable future that enhances community welfare and empowers the local population."
Summer water scarcity is a major issue we cannot ignore. In addressing this crisis, Virtusa's borewell project reduces our carbon footprint.
The local tribe in the area, best known as the Chechus, lacks basic access to drinking water and sanitation. By ensuring a reliable water source, the project supports their livelihoods and contributes to ecological sustainability by maintaining a balanced regional water supply.
Virtusa is committed to reducing our environmental footprint, achieving a net-zero future, and fostering inclusive communities. This commitment is reflected in our achievements, including (a) Our CDP A-ratings for climate change disclosure for 2021-2023, (b) our EcoVadis Gold medal (2023-2024), and (c) Recent validation of its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
This validation, encompassing Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions, highlights Virtusa's unwavering commitment to addressing climate change.
The borewell initiative reinforces the company’s role as a responsible corporate leader dedicated to environmental sustainability and community engagement. Additionally, Virtusa has invested in several biodiversity projects, including the restoration of degraded plots in the Kanneliya-Dediyagala Nakiyadeniya Biosphere Reserve and the Anavilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary.
Over the last few years, Virtusa has undertaken several lake restoration initiatives to improve water quality for local communities. One such project was the Alli Kulam pond rejuvenation initiative, which enhanced biodiversity and provided a clean and safe habitat for wildlife and residents. To learn more about Virtusa's CSR efforts, read the full sustainability report here.
At Virtusa, we believe technology can change the world, and we are empowering our employees to do just that. Through the Virtusa Foundation, we connect Virtusans with a spark for doing good with non-government organizations needing support.
We focus on socially relevant causes, including education, empowerment of marginalized communities, rural sports, environmental sustainability, technology incubation with academic institutions, protection of the national heritage, art and culture, and more.