FICCI

Four students Tapodhan Singla (14107), Rahul Rapariya (14073), Sumeet Singh (14101) and Varun Vashishtha (14112) of Computer Science Engineering Department from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon attended the seminar on“Water Risk and Water Stewardship”organized by FICCI on 20th and 21st August 2014 at Tansen Marg, New Delhi.

FICCI is one of India’s key industry associations. FICCI’s Water Mission aims to encourage industry to take concrete and measurable steps towards water conservation, such as optimal water usage and minimal wastage. It seeks to drive the water conservation and sustainability agenda across the FICCI membership, with a focus on those industry sectors where water is either a key input or its consumption is otherwise significant. FICCI, in collaboration with the Columbia Water Center, has contributed to documenting and raising awareness about India’s deepening water crisis with a preliminary study of water risks 27 industrial sectors. The survey documents growing awareness of water risks among industry and the emerging responses. FICCI’s Water Mission also documents best practices in water stewardship in water-intensivesectors.

On the first day Mr. Upmanu Lall, Director, Columbia Water Center as the keynote speakerstarted the session by giving a brief introduction about theWater risks in India on the rise. This session will aim to build the common understanding of increasing water risks India is facing today and in the future and explore the opportunities and benefits of risk sharing.Explore the strategies, which should be developed for a sustainable use of water across sectors. It aimed to highlight diverse perspectives of industry, CSOs, internationalorganizations, and State government.

On the second daythe session was taken by Ms. Kathleen Dominique, Environmental Economist, OECD, and Mr. Ian Makin, Principal Water Resources Specialist, ADB (Retired), about the best water management practices Indian industries are employing to achieve water use efficiency. The session also aimed at opportunities and benefits of using technology to achieve clean water and water use efficiency. Industries have realised that inadequate water availability and poor water quality have potential to threaten their business operations, supply chainand ultimately business continuity.

The event was very informative and beneficial for the attendees.