India and Slovenia have reached an agreement on space science technology and satellite usage for river basin management. The agreement focuses on cooperation in space science technology and satellite usage for river basin management.
The agreement was reached during the three-day 8th India Water Impact Summit hosted under the joint aegis of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga), IIT Kanpur, at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
At the event, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the importance of ecological initiatives, citing the availability of good experiments and technology. He outlined two significant philosophies for the future – conversion of knowledge into wealth and the conversion of waste into wealth.
The summit brought together scientific experts, stakeholders and government representatives to address the challenges and opportunities in the country’s water sector. In the inaugural address, Gadkari also highlighted collaborative projects in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, focusing on utilising crop residues to reduce pollution in Delhi. He provided examples, including the potential development of the Zuari river in Goa, emphasising the boost to tourism and revenue generation.
Speaking on the occasion, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR Ministry of Jal Shakti, urged the youth at the 8th IWIS to address India’s dual challenges of floods in the north and water scarcity in the south. She emphasised the importance of developing modern methods for water collection and monitoring.
The second day of the summit concluded on November 24.The thematic sessions covered agricultural waste management, lifestyle and economics, and the use of digital tools for effective river monitoring.
Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur, Professor S Ganesh while expressing enthusiasm about the summit’s success said, “cGanga at IIT Kanpur has been undertaking rigorous initiatives to ensure responsible water management and conservation under the objectives of river science and river basin management. Our efforts demonstrate our commitment to environmental protection. The MoU signed with Slovenia is a significant step, and the summit’s success is a reflection of the collective efforts toward advancing water management and environmental conservation.”
Founding head of cGanga, Vinod Tare said, “The 8th India Water Impact Summit has not only nurtured significant partnerships but has also set the stage for innovative solutions. The MoU signed with Slovenia, focusing on space science technology and satellite utilization for river basin management, stands as a testament to our commitment. The 8th IWIS, under the aegis of NMCG & cGanga, shared the responsibility in addressing waterrelated challenges and solutions.”
