It was a scorching May afternoon in the Kanha Tiger Reserve when Dr. Sarita Subramanian witnessed a sight that would change her life forever. A young tigress crouched by a small, drying puddle, trying to drink from it. Realizing there was barely enough water to quench her thirst, she sank into the shallow pool to cool herself. The scene struck Dr. Sarita deeply. If a powerful predator like a tiger struggled to find water, what about the smaller creatures of the wild? That moment ignited a mission—one that would lead her and her husband, Dr. PV Subramaniam, to transform wildlife conservation in India.
A Pledge to the Wild
Dr. Sarita and Dr. Subramaniam, both dental surgeons from Mumbai, had always been passionate about wildlife. Avid birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, they traveled extensively across India, observing and admiring its rich biodiversity. But they wanted to do more than just appreciate wildlife from a distance—they wanted to take tangible action to protect it.
In 2017, they founded Earth’s Brigade Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting wildlife conservation through direct interventions. Their goal was simple yet revolutionary: address water scarcity in forests using sustainable solutions. Their answer? Solar-powered water pumps.
Revolutionizing Water Access in the Wild
The couple’s solar water pump initiative has since transformed 25 forests and wildlife sanctuaries across seven states. So far, they have successfully installed 170 solar-powered water pumps in critical reserves, including Bandipur and Mudumalai in Karnataka, Corbett in Uttarakhand, Sariska and Mukundra Hills in Rajasthan, and Kanha and Panna in Madhya Pradesh, among others.
These pumps, submerged in borewells or connected to perennial water sources, use solar energy to draw and distribute water through underground pipelines, ensuring that various water bodies remain replenished. The impact? Wild animals now have consistent access to water, reducing the risk of them wandering into human habitats in search of sustenance.
A Complex Yet Rewarding Endeavor
Installing these pumps in remote, restricted, and often dangerous locations wasn’t easy. The couple and their team had to navigate logistical and environmental challenges—sometimes working in crocodile-infested waters, scaling steep cliffs, or setting up pipelines deep within forests. But the results have been nothing short of transformative.
Not only do these water sources provide relief to wildlife, but they also rejuvenate surrounding vegetation, attracting herbivores, which in turn support predator populations. The system restores a natural balance, ensuring that animals can thrive within their ecosystems without unnecessary migration or conflict.
Beyond Wildlife: Supporting Forest Guardians
The benefits of these solar installations extend beyond wildlife. Many of the water lines also supply anti-poaching outposts, alleviating the burden on forest guards who previously had to make strenuous treks to fetch water. With easier access to water, they can focus more on their critical role of protecting the forests.
Diganth Nayak, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Ramnagar Division in Uttarakhand, has worked closely with the Earth’s Brigade Foundation. “The solar pumps have transformed our ability to maintain waterholes and provide for our forest chowkis. Earlier, forest staff struggled to stay in remote posts during the dry season. Now, things are much easier,” he shares. The financial benefits are also significant, as solar-powered pumps eliminate the need for costly, diesel-guzzling water tankers. “Each solar pump saves us about Rs 30,000 annually per waterhole,” Nayak adds.
A Movement Fueled by Passion and Community Support
The success of the initiative has been made possible through corporate CSR funding and generous individual donors. It costs approximately Rs 5 lakh to install a single solar pump, but for Dr. Sarita and her team, every rupee spent is an investment in the future of India’s wildlife.
Their dedication has earned them accolades, including the Green NGO of the Year award at the International Advertising Association’s Olive Crown Awards and the Times Now Amazing Indian award in the Environment and Sustainability category in 2024.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite the hurdles of working in remote landscapes, the couple remains unwavering in their mission to integrate clean energy with wildlife protection. For them, the most rewarding moments come from seeing the impact of their efforts firsthand—like the time they spotted a new litter of tiger cubs near a waterhole they had installed.
Dr. Sarita recalls, “The image of that tigress in Kanha is still etched in my memory. She may never voice her gratitude, but her presence—her very survival—speaks volumes.”
She firmly believes that conservation is not the job of governments alone. “The future of our forests depends on collective action. When ordinary citizens take up the mantle of environmental stewardship, real change happens,” she says.
From the forests of Rajasthan to the canopies of Karnataka, their solar pumps have become silent lifelines, bringing relief to animals, rejuvenating ecosystems, and reducing human-wildlife conflict. And it all began with one thirsty tigress, whose silent plea turned into a powerful movement to protect India’s wild spaces.
With every solar pump they install, Earth’s Brigade Foundation continues to reaffirm a simple yet profound truth: when we give back to nature, nature rewards us in ways we never imagined.