~Ahmedabad hosts Bharat Discourses on Water @2047, bringing experts, policymakers and innovators together to promote water conservation, community participation and sustainable water management.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Aug 22 (VNI): Reinforcing the urgent need for collective action on water conservation, Udgam Charitable Trust, in association with the Center for Water Peace (CWP), Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF) and i-Hub, organised ‘Bharat Discourses on Water @2047’ at KCG Auditorium in Ahmedabad.
The national conference brought together policymakers, scientists, water experts, industry leaders, grassroots practitioners and young innovators to deliberate on India’s water challenges and create greater awareness about conservation, responsible consumption and sustainable water management.
Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi emphasised that water must be viewed not merely as a resource but as the foundation of life, ecology and human civilisation. Calling for a ‘Water for All’ vision, he stressed that water security requires a change in mindset, lifestyle and the relationship between people and natural resources. He said collective efforts by communities, institutions, governments and citizens are essential to ensure water availability for every life and future generations.
Padma Shri Umashankar Pandey highlighted the importance of community participation in building a water-secure future. He said solutions to India’s water challenges must emerge from villages, communities and citizens, adding that when people take ownership of local water resources, protect traditional systems and work collectively, water conservation becomes a movement rather than merely a government programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mayur Joshi, Managing Trustee, Udgam Charitable Trust, said water security cannot be achieved by governments alone and requires awareness, behavioural change and collective action. He said the organisation aims to take the conversation beyond conference halls and into communities, making water conservation a shared responsibility.
The conference also highlighted India’s traditional water wisdom, including johads, baolis, kunds and other traditional water-harvesting systems. Discussions covered groundwater conservation, climate resilience, river rejuvenation, urban water security, innovation and water governance.
The event witnessed participation from several eminent leaders and experts, including Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Former President, ICCR; Shri Binay Kumar Singh, Director, SPMRF; Padma Shri Sathpal Singh; Dr. Vivek Kumar, Head, Centre for Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Ami Upadhyay, Hon. Vice Chancellor, BAOU; Shri Dilip Rana IAS, Commissioner of Higher Technical Education, Government of Gujarat; Shri Umakant Umrao, Senior IAS and Principal Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Padma Shri Mahesh Sharma; Shri Chiranjivi Patel; and Shri Vijay Baghel, popularly known as the ‘Greenman of India’.
The deliberations are expected to contribute towards a proposed ‘Bharat Water Manifesto 2047’, carrying the larger message that a water-secure Bharat begins with every drop conserved today. VNI NEWS, Bharat Discourses on Water 2047, Water for All, water conservation, Ahmedabad water conference, sustainable water management, Bharat Water Manifesto 2047, Ahmedabad, Groundwater Conservation, Water Security, Climate Resilience, VNINews, VNINews.com