Water Science PolicyWater is an essential element of life as well as the ecosystem, we live in. Without it, life cannot be imagined on this earth. Freshwater comprises only 2-3% of total amount of water found on this earth. Thus this resource has to be used judiciously. According to UN World Water Report 2018, the global demand for water is increasing at the rate of 1% per year and it will continue to grow in future as well. A major chunk of growth in demand for water will come from developing and emerging economies such as India and China. Global water cycle is getting disrupted due to climate change also. Other factors which have led to increase in water consumption include intensified agriculture and rapid urbanization. The report further states that water pollution has worsened in almost all rivers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. There are new demands on water from rising urbanization and rapidly expanding industrial activities. Water scarcity is a key challenge before the world and its mitigation is pivotal from environmental, economic and social sustainability point of view. As the water crisis deepens, the old solutions appear to be ineffective in tackling this global threat.
The major focus of Goal 6 of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is also about ensuring the availability and proper management of water resources. The World Water Report 2018 states that more than 2 billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water and more than 4 billion people don't have access to safe sanitation. Thus access to safe drinking water is a challenge which needs effective and immediate redressal.
India too faces an imminent water crisis and it figures among the most water stressed countries in the world. More than a million people in India don't have access to safe drinking water, and majority of others face regular water shortages. Many cities in India are currently also experiencing acute water shortages. According to the official estimates, India which has 18% of world's population, has only 4% of total freshwater resources. More than half of India's rivers are highly polluted whereas others are at levels which are considered unsafe by current global and national standards. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has doubled the number of polluted rivers from 121 to 275 in the last five years. The situation with groundwater is equally alarming with scientific findings showing fast depletion of groundwater especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. A very recent NASA study which is published in nature in May 2018 only, has also shown India among the global hotspots where overuse of water resources has caused a serious decline in the availability of freshwater especially in North India. Scientists and environmentalists also predict occurrence of frequent and severe droughts across several states in the coming years. In the midst of all this crisis, there is dearth of qualified professionals needed for bringing effective transformation in governance of India's water sector. Water crisis is going to deepen further in the near future due to rising urbanization, expanding infrastructural projects and climate change, and India will need more and more trained professionals in the field of water policy and water management, to meet the growing challenge of water scarcity. Keeping in view such scenario, special courses on water policy and water management, focusing on both theoretical as well as practical aspects, are offered by various universities and research institutes in India as well as abroad. The aim of such courses is to produce human resource, trained in dealing with water and water related issues, and help formulate as well as implement an effective and efficient water science policy which is based on sound science and rigorous data, thus ensuring sustainable water management pathways.
Water science policy is studied and practiced under the broader framework of science-policy. The science-policy interface is a methodological process, which involves exchange of information between scientists, policy makers, practitioners and sometimes public also, so that scientific findings and data is integrated in policy making. Insights from both natural as well as social sciences is prerequisite for inclusive, holistic and rigorous policies. 'Water Science Policy' by incorporating scientific, social, economic and institutional perspectives, contributes in managing both water quantity as well as quality, thus ensuring that every citizen gets access to safe drinking water, while at the same time ensuring an optimum use of water in agricultural as well as industrial sector.
Scope:Water Science Policy professionals can find work opportunities at both policy as well as practice levels in various agencies and bodies, both at Central and State levels (e.g. Central Water Commission, Central Soil and Material Research Station, Central Ground Water Board, Flood Control Commissions, River Boards, National Projects Construction Corporation Limited, Environment Departments, State Agricultural Departments, Public Works Departments (PWDs), Planning Commissions, Urban Development and Housing & Rural Development Sector etc.) Besides they can work in NGOs, international advocacy bodies, think tanks and also as independent researchers.
The major focus of Goal 6 of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is also about ensuring the availability and proper management of water resources. The World Water Report 2018 states that more than 2 billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water and more than 4 billion people don't have access to safe sanitation. Thus access to safe drinking water is a challenge which needs effective and immediate redressal.
India too faces an imminent water crisis and it figures among the most water stressed countries in the world. More than a million people in India don't have access to safe drinking water, and majority of others face regular water shortages. Many cities in India are currently also experiencing acute water shortages. According to the official estimates, India which has 18% of world's population, has only 4% of total freshwater resources. More than half of India's rivers are highly polluted whereas others are at levels which are considered unsafe by current global and national standards. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has doubled the number of polluted rivers from 121 to 275 in the last five years. The situation with groundwater is equally alarming with scientific findings showing fast depletion of groundwater especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. A very recent NASA study which is published in nature in May 2018 only, has also shown India among the global hotspots where overuse of water resources has caused a serious decline in the availability of freshwater especially in North India. Scientists and environmentalists also predict occurrence of frequent and severe droughts across several states in the coming years. In the midst of all this crisis, there is dearth of qualified professionals needed for bringing effective transformation in governance of India's water sector. Water crisis is going to deepen further in the near future due to rising urbanization, expanding infrastructural projects and climate change, and India will need more and more trained professionals in the field of water policy and water management, to meet the growing challenge of water scarcity. Keeping in view such scenario, special courses on water policy and water management, focusing on both theoretical as well as practical aspects, are offered by various universities and research institutes in India as well as abroad. The aim of such courses is to produce human resource, trained in dealing with water and water related issues, and help formulate as well as implement an effective and efficient water science policy which is based on sound science and rigorous data, thus ensuring sustainable water management pathways.
Water science policy is studied and practiced under the broader framework of science-policy. The science-policy interface is a methodological process, which involves exchange of information between scientists, policy makers, practitioners and sometimes public also, so that scientific findings and data is integrated in policy making. Insights from both natural as well as social sciences is prerequisite for inclusive, holistic and rigorous policies. 'Water Science Policy' by incorporating scientific, social, economic and institutional perspectives, contributes in managing both water quantity as well as quality, thus ensuring that every citizen gets access to safe drinking water, while at the same time ensuring an optimum use of water in agricultural as well as industrial sector.
Scope:Water Science Policy professionals can find work opportunities at both policy as well as practice levels in various agencies and bodies, both at Central and State levels (e.g. Central Water Commission, Central Soil and Material Research Station, Central Ground Water Board, Flood Control Commissions, River Boards, National Projects Construction Corporation Limited, Environment Departments, State Agricultural Departments, Public Works Departments (PWDs), Planning Commissions, Urban Development and Housing & Rural Development Sector etc.) Besides they can work in NGOs, international advocacy bodies, think tanks and also as independent researchers.
No comments:
Post a Comment