The Central Water Commission chairman RK Jain stressed on the need to formulate new mechanisms to address the challenges that lie ahead in the wake of the impact of global warming on water resources. He was speaking at the inaugural session of Roorkee Water Conclave organised by Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee in collaboration with National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee on Wednesday. The first edition of this bi-annual event which will conclude on February 28 is focused on hydrological aspects of climate change.
Jain said, “India has about four per cent of world’s freshwater resources despite having only 2.4% land area making it a better placed country on the global average. But due to high population, temporal and excessive variability we are facing very high stress as far as water is concerned. The planning and projections of the past have failed miserably. We need to formulate new mechanisms to address the challenges that lie ahead.”
IIT Roorkee visiting professor VP Singh said, “This series will go a long way in contributing and sustaining the rich culture of excellence for which Roorkee has come to be known worldwide. The schedule and programmes suggest a possibility of quite a few invigorating sessions and paper presentations which will present great learning experience. This will prove to be beneficial for both the academicians and students, even I look forward to gaining from the stimulating sessions.”