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RECOMMENDATIONS of International Conference on “Integrated Water Resources Management: Prospects and Challenges”Organised by Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (Deemed University)Sponsored by Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India Coimbatore 8-9, December 2022.
The participants of the Conference from different countries and states of India deliberated for two days on different water problems faced in different parts of the world, especially in the arid zone and solutions to these problems. Several methods and techniques and approaches were highlighted for successfully implementing the integrated water resources management, considering the fact that availability of fresh water is finite and there is a need for participatory approach, particularly the involvement of women. The Conference highlighted the need for application of AI, machine learning, IoT and data analytics for efficient development and management of the water resources.
The keynote addresses in different sessions were delivered by Dr.Manoj Samuel, Executive Director, CWRDM; C, water expert and journalist from California; Dr.Girish Gopinath, Associate Professor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies; Prof. Santosh Thampi, NIT Calicut; Dr. Muralikrishna Iyyanki, Director, JNTU; Prof.L.Elango, Anna University, Chennai; Prof.N.Sajikumar, CEO, WRPM Consultants.
The major recommendations of the Conference are:
1. The water resources management has to focus on sustainable development, allocation and monitoring of water resources, considering social, economic, environmental and institutional objectives.
2. The need for participatory approach in planning and implementation of water resources projects was highlighted considering the fact that freshwater availability is limited and water is an economic good.
3. The importance of river basin/small watershed based water resources development was brought to light and the need for water treatment, rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge highlighted.
4. The session on agricultural water management recommended that efficient use of water for agriculture has to be ensured using modern irrigation practices like drip and sprinkler; the need for estimating the actual crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling using modern computational techniques was emphasized.
5. There was one unique session on application of AI, ML, IoT and sensors for efficient water management.
6. The significance of protecting and conserving the ecosystems, the wetlands in particular was emphasized; the session highlighted the importance of maintaining the environmental flows despite the need for irrigation and drinking water purposes.
7. The experts felt that educational programmes in IWRM should be introduced in institutions of higher education and stress should be given to capacity building and awareness creation.
8. The scientists from different organizations emphasized the need for efficient data management system and the need for resorting to computational techniques, mathematical modelling and system studies to efficiently manage the water resources.
9. Several papers highlighted the importance of emerging technologies like isotopes, remote sensing and GIS and mathematical modelling for better management of natural resources like land, water and bio-resources.
