Second-generation leaders from HK received special recognition from the jury in 2024.
Rajesh Dholakia (extreme right),
Brijesh Dholakia (third from right), and
Hitarth Dholakia (second from left).

 

 

Recognised for Landmark Contributions to Life Below Water & Life On Land

Surat, Gujarat, India, August 2025 – Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (HK), a global leader in diamond manufacturing and sustainability innovation, has received the Jewellery World Awards (JWA) Sustainability Award 2025 in the Environmental Stewardship category. This honour recognises HK’s impactful work for Life Below Water and Life On Land. Together, these efforts show a rare and well-rounded contribution to ecological restoration from the diamond industry.

Previously, HK also received the Jury’s Special Recognition for Environmental Stewardship at JWA 2024. At that time, its pioneering initiatives gained global appreciation for delivering measurable, community-led environmental impact.

As part of the 2024 JWA Sustainability Awards event, Mr. Brijesh Dholakia, a second-generation leader at Hari Krishna Exports, joined the panel discussion “Jewels of a Sustainable Future.” Reflecting the company’s values, he said: “Sustainability should not be a choice; it should be a necessity.”

This year’s award confirms that HK continues to lead by example, turning recognition into responsibility and ambition into action.

A Year of Measurable Environmental Impact

As climate stress increases, 2024 became a defining year for HK’s conservation work. These initiatives are led by its philanthropic arm, the Dholakia Foundation. The projects directly support several UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 6, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15.

Life Below Water: From Lakes to Livelihoods

HK’s Mission River initiative has revived more than 164 water bodies and conserved nearly 36 billion litres of water in drought-prone Gujarat. In 2024, several major projects stood out.

Bharatmata Sarovar, inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now stores 4 billion litres. As a result, a once-barren area has turned into a freshwater ecosystem that supports migratory birds like Painted Storks and Herons.

The Kalwa River in Junagadh was restored to reduce monsoon flooding and improve water quality along an 8-kilometre stretch.

Saraswati River in Patan was ecologically restored. Communities can now continue ancient Vedic rituals that had been disrupted by water scarcity.

Banaskantha Artificial Lake is helping reverse groundwater salinity in a border region and supports both villagers and border security forces.

Together, these projects restored biodiversity, reduced waterborne diseases, and improved livelihoods for over 300,000 farmers.

Life On Land: Tree by Tree, a Climate Legacy

Through Mission 102030, HK has planted 3.6 million trees so far. Of these, 500,000 were planted in 2024 alone. In 2025, the effort continues with 269,354 trees already planted.

High-survival plantation clusters in Bharuch, Surat, and Amreli now serve as microhabitats and carbon sinks.

Key Innovations

These include Miyawaki forests in urban areas, AI-based geo-tagging and survival tracking, and agroforestry models that connect tree plantation with food security.

As a result, green cover increased by 27% in targeted regions. Surface temperatures dropped by 2–3°C, and native birds and pollinators returned.

Community at the Core

HK’s environmental model depends on local partnerships. Farmers helped build check dams and lakes by contributing fuel, while HK provided heavy machinery. Students, NGOs, and global partners also joined environmental education and awareness programmes.

HK worked with Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Kutch University, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to strengthen scientific and global impact.

A Legacy of Ethical Leadership

This award marks HK’s most significant sustainability recognition to date. Founder and Chairman Savjibhai Dholakia, a recipient of the Padma Shri, has long placed environmental responsibility at the heart of HK’s values. The company also plants a sapling in the name of every visitor who visits HK’s trade show booth.

“As diamond manufacturers, we understand pressure. However, unlike diamonds, the Earth cannot continue to endure pressure. This recognition by JWA proves that luxury and sustainability must go hand in hand,” said Mr. Hitarth Dholakia.

About Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Founded in 1992, Hari Krishna Exports is one of India’s largest diamond exporting companies, with a presence in over 107 countries. Through integrated operations in Surat and Mumbai, HK combines craftsmanship, innovation, and ethical sourcing. Its CSR model, led by the Dholakia Foundation, aligns with all 17 UN SDGs, supporting environmental restoration, education, and inclusive growth.