The Valedictory Session of the 8th India Water Week (IWW) 2024 was organized today in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil, with the August presence of Minister of State Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary. Secretary (DoWR, RD & GR), Smt. Debashree Mukherjee delivered the welcome address during the session.
Shri C.R. Paatil delivered the valedictory address and expressed his appreciation for all the participants from around the globe as well as across the country. The Minister also acknowledged the tireless efforts for successfully organizing the event by the dedicated team of officers from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, its two Departments viz. DoWR, RD & GR and DoDWS and its various organizations viz. NWDA, CWC, CGWB, NIH, NMCG, NRCD, NWIC, CSMRS, CWPRS, WAPCOS etc. He expressed confidence that the collective deliberations and outcomes of the 8th India Water Week will go a long way towards addressing the unique water issues of India through a collaborative and innovative approach.
A brief on the 8th IWW 2024 was presented by Shri Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti. He enumerated various important recommendations that emerged from the 8th IWW 2024 on the various facets of water sector viz. Collaboration & Cooperation for Water Security, Integrated Water Resources Development & Management, Challenges in Water Sector Infrastructure, Risk and New Approaches to Climate Resilience, Groundwater Sustainability and Management, Water Governance and Financing, Water related Disasters and its Management etc.
During the session, Bhu-neer portal of CGWA for ground water regulation was e-launched. Further important publications viz; National register of Major and Medium irrigation projects in India, Assessment of water resources in India, Compendium of sedimentation of reservoirs in India by CWC and Coffee Table book of Heliborne survey conducted by CGWB were also released during the session.
Exhibitor’s awards were also given under four categories.
1. Category I- Best Central Ministry/Organization- CWPRS, Pune
2. Category II– Best State Government- Kerala
3. Category III– Best Industry- Ion-exchange India ltd
4. Category IV– Best Startup- Blueverse India Pvt ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra
The event was inaugurated on 17th September, 2024 by Hon’ble President of India. Continuing with the same spirit of the last two days, Day-3 also showed great zeal and enthusiasm among participants who turned up in large numbers.
An important part of the Day-3 of the event was Water Leaders’ Forum in which seven sessions covering themes on partnerships on accelerating innovation in water sector; integrated flood management; partnership and cooperation for integrated water resources management; public private partnership in water sector; sustainable water management for industry & businesses; partnerships for climate action in water sector; circularity in waste water management were held with a lot of insightful deliberations amongst the panelists and participants.
Further, seven sessions of Water Conventions with three themes viz; water governance and financing, water related disaster and its management and challenges in water sector infrastructure were held with the active participation of stakeholders which offered a diverse and comprehensive perspective with a multifaceted approach and innovative ideas for the future highlighting current challenges in water management.
Two sessions of Practitioners’ Forum were held today on the topics achieving universal access to drinking water in rural areas; synergizing actions for ecological sustainability and human wellbeing, with experts sharing their experiences and practical lessons.
A big attraction of Day-3 was the Startup Forum, which is a dynamic platform for innovative thinkers and private entrepreneurs in the water sector who presented Smart water tools and technologies; showcasing cutting-edge solutions across a variety of crucial areas of the water sector. In all nine startups presented their innovative solutions in the water sector.
Various Fora / sessions that started on Day-1 of the event with huge participation of delegates, experts, policy makers, industry, researchers etc. successfully concluded today.
The Exhibition, spanning 4,800 square meters and featuring over 143 exhibitors, has been a remarkable part of the entire event.
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VM