India Water Forum 2016

2^nd INDIA WATER FORUM 2013

To carry forward the recommendations from the India Water Forum 2011, and invite comprehensive deliberations on the various aspects of water use efficiency and develop a consensual understanding on the water use management, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is organizing the second ‘India Water Forum’ (IWF 2013) on the theme - ‘Water Use Efficiency’. Water use efficiency has been identified as the most promising approach for ensuring water security. There is a need to devolve ways to achieve the goals of water efficiency, which may cover not only the behavioral changes in human habits on water consumption, but also the structural and operational changes required in various sectors (rural, urban, industrial, agricultural) for optimum utilization of water. More crop per drop and enhanced industrial production per unit of water consumption are the approaches required to be incorporated in the system of water utilization.

The improvement of water efficiency also requires structural changes in the policy and governance structure through innovative tools of promotion, and incentives for efficient water utilization, while simultaneously, dealing with inefficient water consumption through taxes, disincentives, and tariffs. IWF 2013 invites the water actors to discuss and deliberate on these and other related issues on water efficiency. IWF 2013 aims to develop a blue print for an effective mechanism necessary to achieve the objectives of water efficiency. In this context, the forum envisages a series of interactive sessions with policy makers, industrial experts, environmentalists, researchers, academicians, students, and the general public on a common platform. This global convention will showcase advanced knowledge and successful technologies developed in different countries and regions, with the aim of promoting international knowledge network and partnerships for addressing challenges related to water use efficiency, water security and climate change. The convention will explore vast opportunities in developing technically viable and economically feasible solutions for sustainable governance and management of water resources.

India’s National Water Policy (2012) which has been formally launched in April this year envisages suitable policies for water use efficiency in agricultural and industrial sectors, climate change adaptations, adequate water supply and sanitation, robust institutional arrangement and proper water pricing. There is an urgent need for these policies to be translated into actionable programmes. Various thematic sessions in IWF 2013 will deliberate on tangible programmes for the implementation of such policies.

India, with its vast river systems, gigantic Himalayan Glaciers, and oceanic water bodies, sets the perfect stage for knowledge creation and dissemination and has great potential in water resource management and sustainability. Through a global platform like IWF, India will take lead in addressing water resource management and governance challenges which will help the society to move in a common direction and develop strategies and solutions that are applicable on a global scale.

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