India Water Impact Summit (IWIS)

23.11.2023

India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coahcing in Lucknow 

Why in the news?  

On November 22, 2023, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 8th edition of India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

About the 8th India Water Impact Summit:

• It was organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (CGanga).
• This three-day summit will be held from November 22 to 24, 2023.
• Theme: The theme of IWIS 2023 is 'Development with Land, Water and Rivers'.
• Objective: It aims to bring together scientific experts, stakeholders and government representatives to address the dynamic challenges and opportunities in India's water sector.

Importance of the conference:

• It provides a platform for all stakeholders to gather and collaborate on the issue of river restoration.
• It focuses on establishing community participation and getting the definition and methodology accepted by the community across the country.
• India is playing a leadership role on the issue of climate change and such summits can boost their efforts.
• India is a water stressed country and such a summit can help in solving its water problems.

Major Challenges:

• There has been a rich tradition in India to view and respect rivers as mothers. But this document is important that it is the responsibility of every individual to exploit the valuable resources of the river rather than to protect and care for it.
• Rivers are also important to the country's economy as are various religious institutions prohibited in agriculture.
• India is a country of many small rivers. However, these rivers are facing threats in the valleys.
• Small rivers remain in short supply due to their small watershed area, making them vulnerable to climate change.

Major steps taken by the government in this area:

• Artha Ganga:
  • In 2019, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi introduced a new pillar, Artha Ganga, underlining the need to connect rivers and people through economic bridges

• Innovative River Basin Management Plan:
  • The scheme is guided by the principles of Nirmal (clean), Aviral (continuous flow), Gyan (knowledge), and Jana (public participation).

• Agreement with the Republic of Slovenia:
  • With the MoU signed by former President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Republic of Slovenia in 2019, an agreement was signed with NMCG aimed at facilitating flood mapping and other technical efforts within the Ganga Basin.

• Catch the Rain and Urban River Management Plan:
  • Emphasizing the government's commitment to address urban water challenges through these initiatives, which aim to rejuvenate water bodies and improve water quality.

• To provide efficient use of water in agriculture and animal husbandry, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinch Yojana is launched by the Government of India.
• River Cities Alliance – A Global Step Forward (GRCA)
• Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Clean India Mission.
• Namami Gange program.

India Water Impact Conference:

• This conference was organized for the first time in the year 2012.
• India Water Impact Conference is an annual event.

In this conference, discussions are held to find ideal solutions to some of the biggest water related problems in the country.