Experts Brainstorm On Water Sustainability In Indian Institute Technology Guwahati

GUWAHATI: In the backdrop of the Assam deluge that has been taking a toll on human life and animal life, besides severe damage to property, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati is conducting a mission-critical workshop on ‘Seeking Sustainable Solution to Water and State Specific Action Plan (SSAP) for Water Sector of Assam’ on Thursday.

Supported by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, the discussions in the workshop revolved around the themes of – current water requirement, provision, utilization and their future projections; challenges of water availability for current and future scenarios in respective water sectors; strategies for meeting current and future water demand in the country; call for a state-specific action plan for meeting current & future demand of water etc, a press release said.

With the water resources of the country under severe stress with continuous decline in per capita water availability, the workshop discusses the significance of the state-specific action plan to achieve the objectives of the National Water Mission. The SSAP for water sector needs to be formulated based on scientific assessment of the supply and demand side of water resources and vulnerability to climate change, the release said.

The workshop covers critical analysis and solutions like – existing water scenario based on current and past data on supply and demand side; critical review of existing water policies; identifying current and future development needs and challenges, vulnerable areas and communities; evolve and formulate performance indicators for water cycle; formulate annual State Water budgets; document assessment / impact of climate change on state resources, and livelihoods; formulate a strategic action plan including location and context specific contingency plan to manage the impact of climate change; formulate a comprehensive and integrated water plan for water security, safety and sustainability till 2050 through convergence and accountability from Government and non-government organizations, etc.

Welcoming the delegates to the workshop at IIT Guwahati, its Director Prof. TG Sitharam said, “There is no shortage of water in the world, particularly in India; there is a shortage of storage of water close to where water is required. This workshop is being held at our campus at IIT Guwahati at a critical time when the country is going through a severe water crisis at one end, and a deluge in Assam. Strategies to address water conservation and preservation need to be adopted from our traditional water harvesting systems and structures such as Tankas, Dongs, Bavadi, Khadin / Dhora, check-dams, bandharas and cheruvus and explore possible solutions such as sub-surface dykes, sub-surface dams or underground dams or sand dams and coastal reservoirs”.

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