Amla Ruia

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Amla Ruia (born 1946) is an Indian environmentalist and social entrepreneur known for her work in water harvesting. She is often called the Water Mother of India.

Early life
Amla Ruia was born in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1946. She began engaging with community issues from a young age. The severe droughts in Rajasthan in the late 1990s and early 2000s inspired her to focus on water conservation.

What she did
In 2003 she founded the Aakar Charitable Trust (ACT) to help drought-prone rural areas by increasing groundwater levels through traditional water harvesting methods such as check dams and ponds. Her approach relies on community involvement: ACT typically funds about 60-70% of the project cost, while the village contributes about 30-40% and participates in construction and maintenance.

Career and impact
- In 2006 Ruia launched a water-harvesting movement in Rajasthan, starting with a check dam in Mundawar. Within three years, local farmers were able to earn significant income from previously barren land.
- By 2017 ACT had built more than 200 check dams in over 115 villages in Rajasthan, with flow-on benefits to about 200 nearby villages.
- By June 2025, through ACT, she had constructed 1,308 water bodies across 11 Indian states, including 814 check dams and 494 ponds on highly degraded arid lands. This transformed thousands of acres of land into irrigated farmland capable of producing up to three crops per year.
- The projects replenished aquifers during the monsoon, revived groundwater, improved soil health, reduced the need for pumping, and lowered fuel use and emissions. In some saline areas, water quality improved and ponds were built where dams were not feasible.
- The program has benefited about 1,258 villages and contributed to livelihoods, with an estimated substantial annual income for beneficiary communities (around Rs 3,475 crore per year). It has also enabled girls to attend school and pursue higher education.

What she’s known for
Amla Ruia is widely recognized as “Paani Mata” or Water Mother for her work in rural water conservation and for uplifting communities through sustainable water management.

Awards and recognition
Ruia has received numerous awards for her work, including:
- Jamnalal Bajaj Award (2025) for Development and Welfare of Women and Children.
- Vishalakshi Award (2025) for sustainable rural development.
- Grihshobha Inspire Award (2025) for water conservation.
- Parmarth Ratna Puraskar (2019) for contributions to alleviating water scarcity.
- India Eye International Human Rights Observer Achievement Award (2018).
- Lakshmipat Singhania National Leadership Award (2011) for community service and social upliftment.
- FICCI FLO IWAAF Award (2008) for contributions to rural women’s welfare.
She has also been featured and praised in various media for her work.

Personal life
Amla Ruia currently lives in Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.