Regional Focus: Central India

Theme: Water Resource Management & Supply in Central India

Venue: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Dates: UEI was held between 28^th February - 2^nd March 2019

The event aimed to address the key scientific needs of the water resource management and supply sector in Central India. The region demonstrates a complex water nexus with high growth-rates in the industrial, agricultural, and energy sectors, as well as escalated domestic water demands. Furthermore, under a changing climate, in the last couple of decades the region has witnessed continuous warming and a decline in precipitation, (though not significant). These demands and variation in climate have a distinct impact on the regional hydrological balance. The efficient management of the water resources in the region requires accurate information on water availability in monsoon and non-monsoon seasons - including consideration of surface and groundwater supplies. The challenge for the policy makers and governmental institutions is to meet the water demands of these growing sectors in the face of changing climate in a sustainable manner, without adversely impacting the environment. This initiative, therefore, aimed to improve the understanding of the hydrology and water management systems in the region; so as to help in the design of a scientifically and socially sound strategy to better monitor and manage water resource in the region.

The specific water resources management sectors which were addressed through this initiative included:

• Water resource and supply management for agriculture
• Water resource and supply management for domestic and industrial uses
• Water resource and supply management for Energy

Delegates in attendance included:

• State and National government Organizations such as Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam, Madhya Pradesh Public Health Engineering Department, Central Ground Water Board, Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Department, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Department of Horticulture, and National Water Development Agency;
• NGOs, private sector, and National Programmes including Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Management, Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation,  Towards Action & Learning (TAAL), The Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation, Centre for Advanced Research and Development and WaterAid
• Scientists from University of the West of England, University of Dundee, Cranfield University, Herriot Watt University, and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in the UK. Academic organisations from India included, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Amity University, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), TERI School of Advanced Studies, Development Alternatives Group, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Madhya Pradesh Centre of Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Banaras Hindu University, ICAR, Indian Institute of Soil Science, and the Water and Land Management Institute.

Event structure:

The UEI took the form of a three day workshop which enabled the communication of relevant joint India–UK scientific outputs to state-level stakeholders. In addition presentations from selected stakeholders that would improve understanding of how scientific outputs are used in water management and policy, were also given.

Outputs