India Water Forum 2011

Background and Context

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with the Ministry of Water Resources; Department of Drinking Water and
Sanitation, Ministry of Rural Development; Ministry of Urban Development and Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of
Science & Technology is organizing the first “India Water Forum” (IWF) an annual international water convention to address the
dynamics of water and climate change in the context of India and regionally in South Asia. In its inception year, theme for first India
Water Forum is: ‘Water Security and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities’ which aims to address the various issues
influencing the water security, through expert level consultations and interactions with the various stakeholders for collective action
and knowledge sharing across countries. IWF will explore vast opportunities in developing technically viable and economically
feasible solutions for sustainable governance and management of water resources.

Climate change and its impacts on groundwater, ocean, rivers and glaciers are being felt by fragile ecosystems and vulnerable
societies across the world. Enhancing the adaptive capacity of countries for coping with the impacts, risks and uncertainties of a
changing climate and climate extremes is the most important challenge for our planet. 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 Security and Climate Change.

Objectives

 Share knowledge and experiences of policy makers, utility engineers, water resource development planners, managers,
consultants, academicians, environmentalists, users, technology provider etc. on the theme of Water Resources Development with
climate change
 Increase awareness about the depleting water resources and efforts to conserve and manage it in a way which is environmentally
and socially acceptable
 Provide an opportunity to empower decision makers with right knowledge and its application
 Discuss technological advancement that are taking place in water resources development, water storage, water quality &
purification issues, waste water treatment & reuse etc.
 Develop close working relationship between experts from users and developers of water resources and all other concerned for
future consultations, assessment of problems and for finding out remedial solutions
 Water supply, sanitation and health linkages

Water Convention
The India Water Forum 2011 aims at exploring new strategies & technologies for water security while being eco-friendly and ensuring
sustainable development. IWF 2011 will have a range of thematic sessions to discuss upon various issues on the current status of
water resources and proper management plans that will assist in developing appropriate strategies.
The convention is open to policy makers, industrial experts, researchers and water practitioners for presenting their ideas on the
challenges of climate change for water security and opportunities that should be proposed. Discussions, debates and dissemination of
information by various water sector stake holders aiming at exploring new eco-friendly and sustainable strategies and technologies in
this sector will be promoted through this forum. The technical sessions comprising of various parallel sessions are grouped under the
following thematic areas.

I. Challenges and Opportunities for Global Water Security: An overview

Climate change is the most severe long-term challenge to global water security for the present as well as future generations. Climate
change impacts are exacerbating water security problems worldwide by virtue of their impacts on various natural water resources.
The consequences of climate change are major challenges towards the transition from poverty to prosperity and in turn may also
result in the transition from prosperity to poverty. The session will address these issues from a global perspective and identify the
broad parameters for sustainable adaptation strategies.
II. Water Vulnerabilities, Resilience and Adaptation
This session will focus on vulnerabilities and resilience of natural hydrological systems to climate change, associated risks and
uncertainties. The objective of the session is to build upon the existing knowledge and to learn from successful adaptation strategies
that could lead to informed policy for planned adaptation.

III. Regional Water Security, Resource Use & Allocation

The session will focus on the challenges in water resource use and allocation in view of the increasing water scarcity and regional
water stress combined with the prospective risks of climate change. Discussions would provide insights to various scenarios on
competing water demand amongst the agriculture, industry and domestic sectors. It shall highlight the mechanisms and prospects on
water use, allocation and sharing in different hydro-geological regimes.

IV. Climate Change Impacts on Natural Water Systems

Climate change will continue to have a significant impact on water resources, particularly in the South Asian region, by virtue of its
influence on natural water systems and the hydrological cycle. This session will focus on various components of natural water systems
like melting glaciers and their influence on river flow patterns, rainfall variability and impacts on monsoon system affecting water
availability and sea level rise. The discussions shall deliberate on existing capacities, limitations and knowledge gaps in modeling and
prediction scenarios.

V. Water Quality and Health

Water contamination due to geo-genic and anthropogenic sources continues to be one of the critical challenges adversely affecting the
natural ecosystems, agriculture, human health and productivity. Climate change is anticipated to exacerbate the prevailing pressures
on water quality and availability through salinization, aquifer depletion and disrupted flows. The objective of this session shall be to
discuss and share experiences on the current status and issues that pose substantial risk to the water quality and human health in the
region. The deliberations shall consider solutions to address the gaps and barriers responsible for deteriorating water quality and
health.

VI. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

This session envisages the deliberations on the issues related to water security in rural areas with a focus on equitable access and
decentralized distribution system for water. The session shall also showcase some of the best practices, practical in the context of
rural areas, and highlight the policy and institutional drivers that may enable efficient service delivery.

VII. Water and Food Security

Food security in the developing nations across the globe is a major challenge. It is a complex phenomenon which comprises of range
of factors from access to utilization of the food products .The session will identify the key challenges in managing water for food
security and specifically deliberate on regional disparities in crop-water productivities as also the trade dimensions of food and water
security. It would enable discussion on regional perspectives on water governance for food security.

VIII. Sustainable Cities, Water Supply & Distribution

This session will focus on the impacts of climate change on cities with a focus on equitable access and sustained delivery of urban
services in water supply and distribution. The session shall also showcase some of the successful innovations from various cities for
sustainable water management, and highlight the policy and institutional drivers that enable effective service delivery.

IX. Science and Technology challenges for Water Security

Application of science and technology in improving water use efficiency has a major role in complementing the efforts to ensure water
security of a region. This session shall bring in the latest technological developments and innovations in tackling water
contamination, improving water use efficiency and water conservation. It will also explore the avenues of technological interventions
needed to respond to challenges in water security.
X. Policy, Governance and Regulatory Framework
Effective governance and responsive policies are of paramount importance in defining the course of sustainable water management.
The issue of governance is multidimensional and a holistic institutional framework that encompasses the social, economic, political,
and legal structures is essential. Developing an appropriate and responsive policy framework for governance is essential for ensuring
water sustainability and adaptability to climate change.