Innovative ideas emerge at World Water Summit

BANGALORE:  At the first Bangalore World Water Summit, innovative ideas to solve the water woes facing the nation and the world at large were discussed. With world thinkers and policy makers meeting together, the day concluded on a high note with many conducive solutions.Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Institution Minister Jagadish Shettar  along with Higher Education Minister Dr VS Acharya inaugurated the event.President of the International Water Association Dr Glen T Daigger, President of Bangalore World Water Summit (also advisor to Chief Minister and Chariman CSD)Dr A Ravindra and Dr Sudhir Krishna, Secretary of Ministry of Urban Development were present. Shettar emphasized on the project undertaken in Hubli-Dharward, that emerged as the most successfully implemented project in the state. “The multi-village scheme in Karnataka covers more than 100 villages. The Hubli-Dharward project is the largest in Karnataka and after sanctioning more funds we were able to come up with this project, that helps supply water all round the clock in 8 of the 67 wards. The rest would take about `1,700 crore and we have placed a proposal to get more funds from the World Bank which is pending before the Central Government,” he added.President of the International Water Association, Dr Glen T Daigger placed 10 core trends transforming the global water world. “We are transitioning from period of water abundance to water scarcity. By 2050, nearly half of human population will experience scarcity and the population of earth will be 10 billion. Scientists estimate that we are crossing planetary boundaries and new technologies and approaches are required to return to sustainability. The urban utilities across the globe are not sustainable,” he said.Meanwhile, noted researchers in the field, Dr KE Seetharam, Professor M K Ramesh, Professor Dinesh Mehta and Thippeswamy presented their solutions and papers at the event.Ending the first day of the summit, speakers noted all the main suggestions and in the presence of policy makers  gathered from the  Ministry of Water Resources, these points were laid down for Centre’s deliberation.