The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) marked its centenary year with the inauguration of a freshwater lake in Gujarat, underscoring the jewellery industry’s role in supporting sustainable development.

The project, named Lake CIBJO, was formally inaugurated on World Water Day 2026 (March 22) near Luvariya village in Gujarat’s drought-prone Saurashtra region. Developed by the Dholakia Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Hari Krishna Group, the lake forms part of the Gagadiya river rejuvenation initiative aimed at strengthening regional water security.

Spread across 15 acres, the lake has a storage capacity of 156 million litres. It is expected to support five nearby villages and benefit around 12,000 farmers by improving groundwater levels and enabling multi-cropping.

The inauguration was led by Gaetano Cavalieri, alongside Savjibhai Dholakia. Also present were Gujarat Minister of State Kaushikbhai Kantibhai Vekariya, Member of Parliament Bharatbhai Sutariya, and several members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, along with diplomatic representatives and industry stakeholders.

“I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to CIBJO during its Centenary Year that it be associated with a development project that illustrates how the jewellery industry is able to able to improve lives of peoples and societies,” said Cavalieri.

Drawing a parallel with the vision behind the project, he added that what began as a dream has transformed barren land into a thriving ecosystem supporting water availability, greenery, wildlife and community life.

Speaking at the event, Dholakia highlighted the importance of long-term environmental stewardship. He noted that water conservation initiatives led jointly by local communities and the foundation have enabled farmers—previously limited to a single crop cycle—to achieve up to three cropping cycles annually.

Water scarcity remains a critical challenge in India, particularly in rural regions dependent on agriculture. With an estimated 600 million people facing high to extreme water stress, projects such as Lake CIBJO aim to improve resilience and support sustainable livelihoods.

Cavalieri added that the initiative demonstrates how industry can balance growth with responsibility, reinforcing the role of business in driving positive social and environmental impact.