Symposium

Water is the most precious natural resources for planet earth, essential for human civilisation, living organisms and natural habitats, with indispensible use in agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. India has been blessed with abundant water resources. However the threat of water stress is looming large for India as growing population and rapid urbanisation puts severe demand on the fragile and finite water resources which are increasingly getting stressed and depleted and groundwater levels reaching critical levels. The Millennium Development Goals require all countries to develop plans for integrated water resources management and efficient water use. Integrated water management is therefore vital for poverty reduction, environmental sustenance and sustainable economic development.

Geospatial technology has been demonstrating its effectiveness in water management as it creates the possibility for spatial identification of major problems and a more objective definition of priority actions. While considerable work has been done regarding surface water availability, there is a further tremendous opportunity to leverage technology as a solution to more efficiently manage water resources to meeting demands of the growing population.

Understanding this need, relevance and importance of geospatial technologies for administrators, India Geospatial Forum is hosting the symposium ”Geospatial for water management” that will bring together experts from the water industry including policy makers, technology users, research institutions, technical agencies, technology providers and consultants to deliberate upon and identify viable technology solutions to address the water challenges, in different spheres ranging from agriculture and irrigation, industrial use, drinking water, response to climate change, and watershed and natural resources management (rivers, lakes).

Objectives

• Provide an insight into applications of geospatial technology in various areas of water management including agriculture and irrigation, industrial use, drinking water, watersheds, natural resources management (rivers, lakes), water quality, water availability assessment.
• To highlight the critical role of geospatial technology in water management for sustainable development of the nation
• To discuss the requisites for successful implementation of the technology
• To demonstrate best practices in use of geospatial technology in effective water management and the benefits
• Discuss the need for relevant policies to facilitate tech implementation
• To present the latest in geospatial technology for water management
• To address challenges faced by users and draw out possible solutions
• Discuss steps required towards capacity building

Speakers