• The 8th IWIS emphasised on sustainable development issues related to land and water

• The MoU was signed between India and Slovenia on space science technology and satellite usage for river basin management

Kanpur, November 26, 2023: The 8th India Water Impact Summit recently hosted 3-days summit 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. The summit was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India; Mr. Igor Papič, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation from the Republic of Slovenia in the presence of Ms Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR Ministry of Jal Shakti; Shri G. Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG; Dr. Vinod Tare, Founding head of cGanga and Professor at IIT Kanpur, and Mr. Sanmit Ahuja, an expert of cGanga, IIT Kanpur. The theme of 8th India Water Impact Summit was 'Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers,' aimed at uniting scientific experts, stakeholders, and government representatives to address dynamic challenges and opportunities in India's water sector.

Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India highlighted collaborative projects in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, focusing on utilizing crop residues to reduce pollution in Delhi. Mr. Igor Papič, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation from the Republic of Slovenia emphasized global cooperation for addressing water security and environmental protection. Ms 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 emphasized the importance of developing modern methods for water collection and monitoring.

The second day saw a significant agreement between India and Slovenia on space science technology and satellite usage for river basin management. The MoU was signed between Dr. Vinod Tare, Founding head of cGanga IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Tomaž Rodič, Director, Slovenian Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies, Slovenia to implement the best technologies in river basin management. The agreement focuses on cooperation in space science technology and satellite usage for river basin management. The second day’s thematic sessions covered agricultural waste management, lifestyle and economics, and the use of digital tools for effective river monitoring.

Prof. S Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur, expressing his 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."

Commenting on 8th IWIS, Dr. Vinod Tare, Founding head of cGanga and Professor at IIT Kanpur 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 water-related challenges and solutions."

The last day of the summit jointly organized with the Climate Investment and Impact Summit, witnessed the presentation of numerous new initiatives by the industry including the concept of the "Internet of Underwater Things" a revolutionary approach to underwater networks, drawing significant attention. Dr. Vinod Tare highlighted the establishment of cGanga IIT Kanpur and the delegation of responsibilities for basin management of six major rivers to top academic institutions. The discussion during the Climate Investment and Impact Summit focused on the financial and social aspects of new technologies, stressing the need for a comprehensive perspective toward solutions. The session was moderated by Mr. Sanmit Ahuja, an expert of cGanga, IIT Kanpur.

The sessions were also addressed by Shri G. Asok Kumar, Director General, NMCG; Michael Buckley, Head of the Sustainability Division of the European Union; and Mr. Guneet Banga, Executive Director of The Caravel Group. The 8th IWIS summit concluded by showcasing their commitment to sustainable water management.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 570 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.