Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 23: Centre for Sustainability and Environmental Management (CESM), IIM Sirmaur in collaboration with UBA Cell, IIM Sirmaur hosted a national webinar titled ‘The path towards sustainable water management’ to commemorate World Water Day.
The CSEM was established in the year 2019 as initiative of Professor Neelu Rohmetra, Director IIM Sirmaur. The objective behind establishment of the Centre is to promote active research in the field of environment management and sustainability issues and steer efforts and awareness in the similar direction.
The webinar was attended by 150 participants from across the India.
Prof Rohmetra addressed the gathering in the closing session. She highlighted the importance of coexisting in harmony with environment for sustainable positive outcomes. She encouraged the students and faculties to participate in community outreach and welfare programmes as it is equally important to give back and serve the community. She thanked all the guest speakers for sharing their expertise in the area of water management.
She also explained how the planning of upcoming permanent campus of IIM Sirmaur gave special consideration in retaining of trees. “The permanent campus of IIM Sirmaur is designed to make least damage to the flora and fauna present in the vicinity,” she informed.
Earlier, Prof Amrinder Singh welcomed the participants and the speakers and shed light on this year’s theme of “valuing water” and how it is important to educate people about the importance of water and manage this important resource, whereas Prof Arpita Ghosh introduced guest speakers and emphasised on circular economy, adaptive water management, SDG action sixth goal i.e., clean water and sanitation for all.
The first keynote speaker was Prof TR Sreekrishnan, DBEB IIT Delhi. He discussed about the need to revisit systematic use of water resources and treatment technologies. He cited examples of heavy metal contamination observed in drinking water at various parts of India. Emerging contaminants are making microbes to become antibiotic resistant which usually would have takes less than 22 years.
Speaker Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director National Mission for Clean Ganga asked the participants to reflect how to value water and sensitise whole country in conserving water. He emphasised on the importance of quality of drinking water and highlighted the challenges associated with waste water management, whereas Prof C Balomajumder, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Roorkee spoke exclusively on the impact of nitrogen pollution in Yamuna River.
The last speech was delivered by K Sri Harsha, Founder, Kritsnam Technology, a start-up incubated in IIT Kanpur working in sustainable and smart water resource management through the use of IoT.
Prof. Pradipta Patra, faculty at IIM Sirmaur and coordinator UBA IIM Sirmaur gave the formal vote of thanks.
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