Press release from Business Wire India
Source: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 02:57 PM IST (09:27 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment, People, Politics; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Energy companies, Information technology, Water; Technology
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TERI in Consonance with the Ministry of Water Resources Organizes 'India Water Forum - 2011' to Discuss 'Water Security & Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities`
New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, April 13, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Shri M Hamid Ansari, Hon'ble Vice President of India inaugurated the "India Water Forum" (IWF) that was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in consonance with the Ministry of Water Resources and the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Government of India. This annual international water convention aims to address the dynamics of water and climate change, exploring new strategies & technologies in the sector while being eco-friendly and ensuring sustainable development.
Also present at the inaugural session was Mr. Salman Khurshid, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Water Resources Government of India, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of New and Renewal Energy, Government of India; Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General, The Energy & Resources Institute and Mr. Rakesh Johri, Senior Fellow, TERI & Organising Secretary, IWF and other domain specialists.
Nearly 350 participants- policy makers, industrial experts, researchers and water practitioners- from Europe and Asia have come together to discuss and deliberate on this critical and increasing problem being faced cutting across all boundaries.
Shri. M. Hamid Ansari Vice President of India inaugurated the forum and expressed his happiness to be a part of this convention. In his inaugural speech he emphasized 'on the essential role water plays in our life and the need for adopting better governance to tackle the key challenges that are stemming from changing demographics, shifting geo-politics, wide-spread poverty and under-development, climate change phenomena and shifting weather patterns, and the elements of globalization and its attendant consequences'.
He further stressed that 'those formulating public policy regarding this vital resource must therefore cater to essential requirement and ensure sustainability of eco systems so that there is availability of adequate water for every one. Prevention of greed, of waste and of conspicuous consumption must remain high on their agenda'.
The ground reality of the water situation in India was further elaborated by Shri Salman Khurshid, Hon'ble Union Minister of Water Resources. Taking off from where Shri Ansari left, the Hon'ble Minister too 'emphasized the need to understand that water is a natural resource for all and is essential for economic development. Demand for water is bound to increase, therefore it is important to develop the resource in a sustainable manner since we cannot create more water that what Mother Nature has provided us but can manage water optimally to mitigate the impact of inadequate availability of water'. He further added, 'the need for a fast and immediate action and spoke about the five goals identified by the National Water Mission', which are:
1. Preparation of a comprehensive water data base in public domain
2. Promotion of citizen and state actions for water conservation, augmentation and conservation
3. Increase water use efficiency by 20%
4. Focus attention of vulnerable areas and
5. Promotion of basin level integrated water resource management
In his address Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy 'emphasized the need for accountability by all if we are to mitigate this precious commodity from being perishing. Depleting ground water, lack of fresh drinking water, unscientific usage of water for irrigation is a growing concern. He further, added that if today we do not take up the issue, it is a possibility that deserts will become greener than our land blessed with abundance of water resources, mighty rivers, mountains and all'.
'The India Water Forum has been organized in the context of these pressing issues, which will impact human welfare', said, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director-General, TERI. 'Water scarcity as a result of climate change is showing far-reaching global security concerns already. At one level the world's water is like the world's wealth but the problem is that some countries get a lot more than others. This causes an imbalance, which leads to water shortages thereby generating enormous impact on human health, malnutrition, infectious disease from water contamination and poses a great danger for disruption and security with communities fighting over this precious resource. He further added the issue of water presents a set of complex challenges and has to be dealt with extreme ingenuity and will need governance to ensure welfare of the society'.
Water is an integral component for economic development of any country and plays a significant role in ensuring livelihood to billions. The demand for freshwater has already gone beyond the supply and the situation of plentiful water resources in the past is fast changing to one of water scarcity. Climate change is further aggravating the stress on water resources. Given the gravity of the situation, this convention holds great significance for collective action and knowledge sharing across countries, said, Col. Rakesh Johri, Senior Fellow, TERI & Organizing Secretary, IWF
With a futuristic outlook, the three day convention will address following key issues:
Challenges and Opportunities for Global Water Security
Water Vulnerabilities, Resilience and Adaptation
Regional Water Security, Resource Use & Allocation
Climate Change Impacts on Natural Water Systems
Water Quality and Health
Rural Water Supply & Sanitation
Water and Food Security
Sustainable Cities, Water Supply & Distribution
Science and Technology Challenges for Water Security
Policy, Governance and Regulatory Framework
About TERI:
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) was established in 1974. A dynamic and flexible organization, activities in TERI ranges from microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state-no sphere of human endeavour is unfamiliar to TERI. The organization works on formulating local and national level strategies to suggesting global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues. Headed by world-renowned economist Dr R K Pachauri also the head of the Nobel Prize winning UN Climate panel, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. TERI is headquartered in New Delhi; TERI has established regional offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Guwahati and Mukhteshwer in the Himalaya's and International centers in Japan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Washington DC, and London.
CONTACT DETAILS
Rajiv Chhibber, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), +91 9810426698, rajivc@teri.res.in
Lalima Bose, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), +91 9810161449, lalima.bose@teri.res.in
Anjali Berry, Sampark Public Relations, +91 9891526436
Sonia Sharma, Sampark Public Relations, +91 9540026278
KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE, POLITICS, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, ENERGY, WATER, TECHNOLOGY
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