Sustainable Development Of Water Resources In Northeast India

Papers presented at a symposium on 'Sustainable development of water resources in Barak Valley', held at Assam University on 24th March 2010.

This book covers themes related to the geosphere, biosphere, sociosphere and ecosphere dealing with changing geographical, environmental and socio-economic realities to plan a sustainable future for the northeast region (NER) of India. The NER consists of eight states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim—and they carry political, economic and social importance. The book integrates the past, present and future of geospheric attributes incorporating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to meet the demands for improving human wellbeing under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. The key SDGs, as in food and agriculture, health, education, water, energy and other overarching goals of the region, have yet to incorporate providing sustainable jobs and promoting equality and inclusive development, although there have been a few studies in that regard. The challenges to achieve SDGs in the NER are formidable compared to the rest of India. The NER has put a great deal of effort into achieving the SDGs, mainly in poverty (SDG-1), good health (SDG-3), education (SDG-4), gender (SDG-5), decent work (SDG-8) and reduced inequalities (SDG-10), similar to the rest of the country. However, the standard development indicators such as road length, access to health care, power consumption and other measures are far below the national average. A multi-pronged strategy has played a pivotal role in the region, but development strategy to attain the SDGs 2030 must be more inclusive in empowering people with maximising self-governance, considering the resources, needs and aspirations of the people. This book evaluates the performance of the SDGs and fills in the gaps. It includes case studies focusing on different SDGs using advanced cartographic, statistical and GIS techniques and methods. It also provides unique findings that serve as valuable resources for planners and policy-makers so that a sustainable future in Northeast India can be achieved.

Papers In The Volume Address Issues Relating To Water Resources Sustainable Livelihoods And Eco-System Sciences In India-Emerging Problems Of Urban And Industrial Pollution, Analyse Institution Of Water Management And Aquatic Eco-System. Also Point Out Future Challenges And Directions For Policy Makers.

Groundwater is the most important source of domestic, industrial, and agricultural water and also a finite resource. Population growth has created an unprecedented demand for water, with the situation most critical in the developing world, where several million people depend on contaminated groundwater for drinking purposes. Geogenic contaminants,

Resolving these problems is crucial for the future.

As a society, we are undergoing a number of interconnected changes, from burgeoning populations and rising standards of living, to widespread urbanisation and rapid environmental degradation, all under a changing climate. Together, these changes are having significant impacts on our freshwater systems. Rapid innovation is needed to adapt our water management practices and technologies in order to meet water requirements while maintaining and, where needed, restoring, the ecosystems that provide us with life sustaining services, so that the resource is also protected for the future. This book shows why and how emerging scientific knowledge and new technologies can support sustainable management and use of freshwater resources. It provides an introduction to what new science is out there, where it can contribute to sustainable water resources management, and what the next critical science gaps are that need to be filled. Designed to be accessible, yet comprehensive, the book is targeted at people interested in water resource management, but who may not be scientific experts in the various areas. The book takes an integrated, whole-system view, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral working and the need for practitioners and researchers to work together to co-design and co-development future projects. It combines current scientific understanding with cases studies of application in the real world and includes chapters covering topics including: · The management of agricultural water demand using soil moisture measurements; · Enhancement of flood risk management and drought decision-making; · Monitoring river water quality and restoring urban lakes; and · Improved river basin planning. While the research presented was conducted in an Indian context, the scientific developments and potential solutions outlined are applicable to other parts of the world facing similar water challenges. Emerging Science for Sustainable Water Resources Management is edited by Dr Sunita Sarkar and Prof. Harry Dixon of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. It is an output from the 'Sustainable Use of Natural Resources to Improve Human Health and Support Economic Development' (SUNRISE) programme funded by the Natural Environment Research Council [award number NE/R000131/1]. The support and the contributions of Indian partner organisations to enable the active input of their staff towards this publication is acknowledged. Suggested citation: Sarkar S & Dixon H (Eds) 2021 Emerging Science for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A guide for water professionals and practitioners in India. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology 94pp.

The book embodies the groundwater issues and challenges in India focusing its sustainable use. It is a compilation of papers presented by the eminent experts from Government departments, academia, research institutes, NGOs and stakeholders who assembled at Kurukshetra on 21st August, 2015 in the event of Bhujal Manthan or “Churning of Groundwater” organized for the first time by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, the apex Ministry of Water Resource under Government of India. India, as a country, is the highest groundwater extractor in the world. Its service towards attaining the food and clean drinking water security is well documented. This volume addresses the issues of aquifer characterization, groundwater contamination, groundwater resource availability and its sustainable management through community participation in pan-India scenario. This book provides a unique opportunity for its readers to understand groundwater domain in India in its entire gamut. The papers included in the volume were selected carefully from the presentations made in the following four broad topics during the Manthan; (i) groundwater quality, (ii) conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, (iii) management intervention and sustainable use of this resource, and (iv) groundwater problems and application of various techniques. The book contains 20 papers including an introductory chapter by the editors. The content of the book is enriched by contributions from eminent researchers and activists in groundwater domain, like Prof. Tushar Shah, Prof. Himanshu Kulkarni, Dr. D. K. Chadha, Dr. Bharat Sharma and others. The recommendations in the individual papers are of immense significance for keeping the groundwater of the country clean and sustainable. The volume will help the readers to understand the groundwater issues of the country and also assist policy makers to prepare strategies for its better governance and management with environmentally sustainable ways.

Papers presented at theNational Seminar on Natural Resources and Tribal Communities in Northeast India, held at Pasighat during 7-8 February 2006.