PANEL DISCUSSION CUM MINI WORKSHOP ON WOMEN AND WATER-INNOVATION – SECURITY – MANAGEMENT AT CSIR-IMMT, BBSR
By Sukanta Kumar Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, Feb. 27 : CSIR-IMMT, BBSR conducted a panel discussion cum workshop on women and water-innovation- security-management today (physically/ hybrid mode)
It is estimated that Odisha has plenty of water resources but the myth of water being an infinite resource is breaking due to water scarcity or flooding in traditionally safe. Further these get aggravated with climate change and frequent disaster events as well as mineral contamination in certain areas. Despite efforts by the governments and huge investments, population not having access to adequate quantity of water is increasing in leaps and bounds with every passing year. Keeping in mind the vulnerability of the state to disasters and climate change and its impact on water resources, it is important to initiate a multistake holder and multi-agency dialogue to discuss current availability, preservation, conservation, harvesting and sustainable use.
On this occasion Dr. Narahari Sastri, Director, CSIR-IMMT said that, It is assumed that Odisha has abundant water resources but the myth of water being an infinite resource is being shattered due to water scarcity or traditionally safe floods. Keeping in mind the state’s vulnerability to disasters and climate change and its impact on water resources, it is important to initiate conservation, preservation, and sustainable use. There is no hesitation to say that since women conserve more water, we are very happy to involve women in this movement. I would love to collaborate with the National Business Chamber for Women (NBCW), the Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (WICCI), Water Resources Council (WRC) partnership.
Prof. Geetanjali Dash, Vice-Chancellor, Berhampur University, Odisha said that, I am leading an organization of women, they also form a critical mass. They are in agriculture, caregivers, and home builders, and when it comes to water pumps, women in most parts of the world have to collect water, mostly Odisha women play a significant role in water conservation. By the way, I also know that most of the women in tribal areas, fetch water from a distance of 2 or 3 km, as the hand pumps in most of the village areas have dried up. We never thought that women play a crucial role in water conservation, this kind of awareness should be created. So, this initiative is very beneficial for women and our society. I would love to be a part of this movement and I would love to collaborate.
Keeping this in mind the State wing of National Business Chamber for Women (NBCW), Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, (WICCI), Water Resources Council (WRC) conducted a discussion today at IMMT in partnership with CSIR-IMMT, UNDP, Berhampur University, Odisha, academic institutions and civil society organization.
For the state, the issues identified were in 3 areas of interventions as mentioned below:
(i) Water Management/Water security
(II) Water pollution and
(iii) Women leader in Water
Some of the activities include research (R&D), awareness campaigns, workshops and grassroot projects that would lead to preparation of a “Roadmap on Water Security in Odisha” which is proposed to submit to the Government of Odisha in 2 years’ time.
Dr. Mamata Mohapatra, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-IMMT coordinated the panel discussion cum workshop.
