|
India Updates
The quarterly newsletter of the India office
(July - September, 2023) |
|
|---|
|
|
NATURE+: Moving toward a cyan and sustainable future in India!
In 2020, the World Economic Forum revealed a game-changing report,
The Future of Nature and Business, predicting nearly 400 million jobs by 2030 through a nature-positive economy. This challenges the notion that environmental conservation hinders business. The key lies in seizing opportunities like land restoration, agricultural recycling, and freshwater enhancement. These actions promise a healthier planet and rural wealth. While global efforts are vital, community-level change is the cradle of a green-and-blue economy. CGIAR's NATURE+ Initiative is at the forefront, providing science and planning to empower these transformations. This report paints a compelling picture where environmental care fuels economic growth, highlighting a path to prosperity and sustainability. We envision a green and blue (cyan!) economic future for rural areas in Western India. A cyan future will benefit nature and local economies and make agrarian communities more resilient to environmental and market shocks. Read our latest blog here.
|
|
|---|
|
IWMI researchers meeting with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
IWMI researchers led by Dr Alok Sikka collaborated with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in an Orientation Workshop on July 7, 2023, in Delhi, to craft proposals for Drought Mitigation under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund. This promises to be a game-changer for 12 drought-prone states, fostering resilience and sustainable development. |
|
|
|
Expert Consultation on Groundwater Flow Modeling under TAFSSA
An Expert Consultation on Groundwater Flow Modeling in Nalanda, South Bihar, was organised on July 26, 2023, as part of CGIAR Initiative on Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA). The event promised to foster collaborative discussions and knowledge exchange, aiming to enhance our comprehension of groundwater dynamics. |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Sikka chaired a technical session on Water Security within Urban Environments
Dr. Alok Sikka, Country Representative, IWMI, chaired a technical session on Water Security at the International Conference on Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Development in the Global South, organized by the Institute for Human Development in collaboration with NITI Aayog on August 10, 2023, in Delhi. During this engaging event, participants delivered impressive presentations, shedding light on critical aspects of water security within urban environments. The conference provided a platform for thought-provoking discussions and valuable insights into ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban development.
|
|
|
|
IWMI at G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting
Dr. Alok Sikka, presented at Solar Energy for Universal Energy Access on July 20, 2023, in Goa, held as part of the G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting and hosted by the International Solar Alliance and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. His presentation centred around exploring innovative business models aimed at solarising agriculture and seamlessly integrating solar irrigation with micro-irrigation systems. This event provided a dynamic platform for sharing ideas and insights on leveraging solar energy to achieve universal energy access, addressing critical sustainability challenges. |
|
|
|
|
India Representative of IWMI, Dr Alok Sikka, released a report titled, ‘Farmer Responses to Solar Irrigation in India’ on 26 July 2023 in Delhi. The report documents key findings from a novel modelling study by WELL Labs Executive Director Dr. Veena Srinivasan. Check the report highlights here.
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Event - World Water Week 2023 |
|
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and U.S. Department of State (USDoS) co-hosted a panel discussion on Addressing Water Security Challenges in the Himalayan Region on 24 August, 2023 at the World Water Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, featured introductory remarks by Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, U.S. Department of State, Dr. Rebecca Peters, International Water Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of State and Sh. G Asok Kumar, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, and an expert panel moderated by Dr. Alok Sikka of IWMI. Panellists include Tsechu Dolma, founder of the Mountain Resiliency Project; Dr. Manohara Khadka, Nepal Country Representative for IWMI; and Dr. Lobsang Yangtso, Senior Researcher for the International Tibet Network. The discussion followed up by a Q&A session and with closing remarks by Dr. Mark Smith, Director General of IWMI. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
The CGIAR initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS), led by IWMI in India, aims to unify various initiatives, partners, and stakeholders for a more significant policy impact in India. A consultation event was recently organised in Delhi where initiative representatives shared their activities, laying the groundwork for potential synergistic collaborations. Read here. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Underground transfer of floods for irrigation or UTFI is an innovative new approach to Managed Aquifer Recharge. Could it help improve Water Security and lessen flood and drought severity? Read here. |
|
|
|
|
Researchers involved in CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology visited Narayanganj and Niwas block in Mandla District in Madhya Pradesh along with partners, and interacted with Farmers and self-help group (SHG) members and tested the HOLPA tool with local farmers. |
|
|
|
IWMI Researcher visited Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh, delving into Atal Bhujal Yojana Scheme challenges. Engaging with farmers, panchayat members, Jan Abhiyan Parishad coordinators, and DPMU experts as part of CGIAR Initiative of NEXUS Gains and National Polices and Strategies. |
|
|
|
|
From September 13th to 15th, IWMI India held a three-day team retreat in Neemrana, Rajasthan. The primary objective of this retreat was to strengthen teamwork, enhance coordination among teams, and ultimately generate more effective outcomes for the organization. Additionally, project teams had the opportunity to showcase their projects, outlining their accomplishments, challenges, and future directions. An external agency facilitated enjoyable team activities designed to improve coordination and foster team-building.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Early Career Researcher (ECR) Webinar Series |
|
- Jain SK, Sikka AK and Alam MF (2023) Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus in India—A review of relevant studies, policies, and programmes.
Front. Water 5:1128198. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1128198
- Smith, M.D., Sikka, A., Dirwai, T.L. & Mabhaudhi, T. (2023) Research and innovation in agricultural water management for a water-secure world.
Irrigation and Drainage, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2872
- Taneja, Garima; Katyaini, S.; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Chaturvedi, K.; Mitra, Archisman; Verma, Shilp; Bassi, N. 2023.
Proceedings of the Workshop of the Stakeholder Consultation on Policy Coherence among Food, Land, and Water Systems in India, New Delhi, India, 16 June 2023. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS). 10p. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/131408
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2023.
Water accounting in practice: from basin to field-level applications and training. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2p. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/131404
- Gomes, S. L.; Hermans, L. M.; Chakraborty, Shreya; Luft, S.; Butsch, C.; Banerjee, P. S. 2023. Comparative analysis of local adaptation processes in the future across peri-urban India to support transformations to sustainability.
Global Environmental Change, 82:102721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102721
|
|
|---|
|
You are receiving this email as a result of your contact information being submitted to us during an interaction with us. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please use the Unsubscribe or Manage Subscription links at the bottom of this email. You could also email iwmi-comms@cgiar.org and ask to be removed from this mailing list. |
|
|---|
|
For more information on IWMI's research for development,
_________________________________________
IWMI is a CGIAR Research Center |
|
|---|
|
|
|
| |
|  |
|
|
|
|
