G20 sherpa and former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant flagged off the India's leg of the run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, said German chemical and pharma major Bayer.
Bayer has joined Mina Guli as a campaign partner in its effort to address the global water crisis.
Guli, who is also CEO of non-profit organisation Thirst Foundation driving action on water, has completed 151 of the 200 marathons since May 2022 and moved into India. She will be running five marathons in India. After Delhi, she will run in cities like Varanasi, Thane, and Mumbai, Bayer said in a statement.
After flagging off the marathon run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, Kant said: "Climate change is having a huge impact on countries around the world and especially on developing countries like India. Its adverse effects on agriculture, water resources, forests, etc are quite evident. Coupled with the rapid depletion of many critical natural resources, we face a challenging future".
Hence, it is imperative for countries to come together to achieve the sustainability goals set by the United Nations. India has continuously met its nationally defined contribution targets on sustainability and the government’s efforts at rapidly increasing access to clean water are bearing fruit, he said.
"But water conservation will also require a collaborative effort between, companies, government, and civil society and Run Blue can be an important catalyst in building up this coalition," he said, adding that the Run Blue campaign supported by Bayer will inspire people and encourage social transformation for a better tomorrow.
Beginning her run in India, Guli said the world is experiencing acute water shortages and more than 2 billion people are without access to safe drinking water. India is home to about 18 percent of the world’s population but has only 4 percent of freshwater resources.
"So, it is imperative to conserve water and use it judiciously - and to protect and restore the rivers, lakes, and wetlands that provide it. If we do not act now, all of us will face a severe water crisis. Through my runs in various cities of India and along the Ganga, I hope to raise awareness about water conservation and also inspire companies, governments, and communities to commit to conserving this precious resource - and the freshwater ecosystems that provide it and that underpin our societies and economies," she added. Bayer said it Bayer has made conscious business choices in tandem with its commitment to water conservation and sustainable growth.
In Asia, the partnership between IRRI and direct-seeded rice is contributing to economic and ecological sustainability. At the Vapi manufacturing site, Bayer has installed rainwater harvesting systems, zero liquid discharge wastewater treatment plants, and put an action plan in place to reduce the overall consumption of water.
With the Better Life Farming initiative, Bayer is working with like-minded partners within the agri-industry to promote efficient water management systems and a sustainable ecosystem.
Bayer Pharmaceuticals in South Asia Managing Director Manoj Saxena said the company's decision to partner for the Run Blue campaign comes from its firm commitment towards sustainability, including water. "In our role as a global leader in agriculture and health, Bayer aims to usher in innovations and technologies that will drive sustainable usage of water and encourage its conservation," he added.
