Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee are jointly organizing the second edition of ‘Roorkee Water Conclave’ on the theme of “Water Security for Sustainable Development” during March 2-4, 2022. In this conclave, 11 National experts and 36 International experts worldwide shall present their keynote address covering various aspects of the theme ranging from management, policy, advanced research techniques, irrigation, water quality, environment, and education.
In the augural session, G Asok Kumar, Director General for the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti, talked about arth Ganga and connecting people with ‘Namami Gange Programme’ of his ministry so that value of water is imbibed by them and they become more respobsible. “About 80-90% water is consumed by agriculture sector alone and the rest by all including drinking water supplies. So even a 10% reduction in agriculture through efficient utilization can leave water equivalent what is available for others, will mean very big for water resources availability. Water has to be a peoples issue from now on.”
Dr. R. K. Gupta Chairman & Ex-Officio Secretary to the GoI CWC, echoed this call by laying emphasis on mass awareness. “Most of our rainfall happens in one month and the real challenge is to store it and make it available throughout the year and importantly distribute it. We need to address regional imbalances and look at water conservation. We need to think about exporting and trading water through water intensive crops as it will jeopardize future generations. We are moving towards small storages and water distribution to drinking achieves water for all by 2024. Low cost technology and changing food habits will be areas that need encouragement.”
Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director IIT Roorkee while outlining the importance of this conference in developing a thinking on water from science to governance, talked about the legacy of his institution in water technology and contribution of its renowned alumni in hydrology related engineering and architecture from Sir William Willcocks to Ajudhia Nath Khosla and Kanwar Sain. “We are fortunate to house National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee with which this initiative which was born in 2020. We want to continue with the legacy of our contribution to water sciences and engineering and this conference gives that opportunity.”
Dr. Jaiveer Tyagi Director, NIH Roorkee in his address emphasized that Indian is water stressed and coupled with climate risk, water security is going to be central to sustenance. “As water issues impact each one of us, we have urgent need of research on emerging rules and targets for protecting renewable water resources and addressing management of water.”
Saying that water is precious and vital resource of sustainability, Dr. V. Ramaswamy, Director, NOAA / GFDL, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey opined that science, management, engineering and climate issues on water have real challenges as its availability and distribution is varied, “it needs lots of sector research, development of planning, management downstream and effect on ecosystems. Then investments including human means futuristic aspects and resilience, servicing, information needs to address the challenges.”
