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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Enhancing water use efficiency through transversality systemic approach

India Water Foundation (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#SDGAction50349
Description
Description

India Water Foundation, established in New Delhi (India) as a non-profit NGO & think tank emphasizes on familiarizing people regarding the vitalrole water, energy and environment play in human lives, their impact on health, economic growth, livelihoods of the people andcalamities that wreak havoc due to non-judicious harnessing of these natural resources. Generation of this awareness is facilitated through seminars, outreach and personal contact programs etc. As water is an essential component of power generation and food production, therefore, IWF is engaged in ensuring environmental security, water security, energy security and food security which are essential for sustainable development. We are of the conviction that water-related problems cannot be tackled through technological and engineering solutions alone; there is need to include ‘Soft Approach’ of capacity building among the people which is facilitated through sensitizing, incentivizing and galvanizing the people in water and environment related issues. Also, communication gap between Government as policy-maker-cum-custodian of natural resources, especially water resources can be tackled by civil society, serving as a catalyst between government and communities. Actors-Sector synergy across multi-stakeholder platforms is imperative to systematically integrate water resources management into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, which IWF firmly acknowledges in affirmation. The North Eastern part of India is rich in important minerals such as coal, limestone, large forest cover, soil biodiversity, rich flora & fauna and blessed with abundant water bodies. One of the greatest hallmarks of this region is its rich biological, social, and cultural diversity boasting a rich variety of genetic resources, species, and ecosystems of global importance. Socio-cultural dimensions indigenous mountain communities in the Himalayas, especially Eastern Himalayas have strong and diverse spiritual and cultural beliefs regarding biodiversity and its conservation. The indigenous tribe population constitute majority of the total population. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of this region. Even though the region receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, water was wasted as surface runoff. Practice of rampant deforestation, traditional slash and burn cultivation etc. drastically affected hydrological parameters (geogenic factors) viz. rainfall interception, infiltration, soil moisture, water yield, soil loss, floods etc. Unsustainable agricultural practices and mining had affected soil and water quality, making it acidic resulting in environmental degradation which are wholly anthropogenic factors. Community based participation shall be adopted through JalMitras (water friends), having passion for conservation of natural resources, especially water and capacity-building for them shall be facilitated under the guidance and supervision of our experts. Creation of small water reservoirs (JalKunds) and multi-purpose reservoirs will fulfill needs of drinking & domestic water, irrigation, livestock, micro hydel, etc. especially in lean season yielded fruitful results for water-linked missions like farming, forestry, pisciculture, Sericulture. Etc. Development of extensive communication strategies through public awareness on reducing ground and surface water pollution will be leveraged by IWF to sustain improved water-use efficiency practices like reduced water withdrawals from sources, lowered wastewater discharges to decrease pollution in water bodies, optimized energy consumption to deliver environmental benefits.

Expected Impact

We ardently support the realization of Interlinking ‘Think Water –Think Health’ and would like to recommend the inclusion of cross implementation of SDG 3 that calls for Good Health and Well Being and SDG 6 with focus on Water and Sanitation. This has the potential to harness inter-related development priorities in the task of rural development and priorities; bring coordination between multi-stakeholders and help improve the efficacy of even government’s programs as well. Bringing such endeavors under one platform shall help address critical problems and issues. Since water is not a mere a sector but a socio-economic connector and ecosystems are linked with water. It is a key component of sustainable development, we are hopeful the acceleration framework addresses in holistic terms various targets of SDG 6 like water and sanitation; water management, especially water availability & quality in reducing vulnerability; water-use efficiency and strengthening water-linked ecosystem services. We are affirmative that the SDG framework shall enhance the scope towards Cooperation, Collaboration and Convergence through multi-stakeholders such as Government, civil societies, private entities and international agencies. . A ‘Transversal’ shift interlinking vertical linkages between water, energy and environment with horizontal linkages like Health, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, etc must be incorporated and now it is a good opportunity to translate in action at grass root level. Adaptation is a global challenge that requires local solutions. Community resilience is strengthened through healthy ecosystem services and therefore, effective water-driven adaptation interventions should reflect the importance of ‘holistic & integrated water management’, especially water availability & quality. In such a scenario, knowledge-driven approach is required across sectors and actors at local level where indigenous knowledge, Nature based solutions, modern Science based solutions can be leveraged to enhance prosperity. Consideration of water aspects must encompass carrying generic principle of water planning at macro-level but customized with location specific purpose. High prioritization is required towards community pooling under the public trust doctrine towards water and food security, livelihoods, sustainable development etc. Sustainable interventions to reduce Urban-Rural disparity can only be achieved through education, empowerment and ownership by the rural community. Progressive learning through qualitative behavioral change, Knowledge exchange among stakeholders and disseminating scientific literacy holds the key to bring qualitative life among the rural community. To ensure it is achieved, communities need to be trained at the level of grass root institutions and organizations through decentralized approach. It must be ensured to make communities understand that rural economic development is not creating progress but building own capacity in order to collectively improve the socio-economic conditions. The real meaning of Bottom up Approach is the ‘Localization’ of water-related interventions where people’s participation especially women, children, youth and marginalized sections are foremost included.

Partners

The partners are like minded civil societies, Academia, District administration, women, youth etc. The beneficiaries will be the communities

Additional information

The imperatives of implementing SDGS and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change warrant a holistic approach in addressing vagaries emanating from water and climate change concurrently with the help of IWRM, water-energy-food nexus and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches to climate change. In the wake of growing global recognition that water is at the core of climate change, water is climate change and addressing climate change related issues warrant equal focus on addressing water related issues. In the wake of existing approaches to water and climate change, there is growing emphasis on ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change, which also addresses water related problems along with climate change. Thus, along with emphasis on IWRM and nexus approach, equal emphasis and significance is also being attached to ecosystem-based adaptation approach too. The role of ecosystems in helping the people adapt to climate change is gaining increasing wide recognition. Undoubtedly, the concept of EbA along with the notions of working with nature, building with the nature and green infrastructure has different scopes; nonetheless, they follow the same rationale. Healthy ecosystems and the multiple services provided by them constitute the raison d'être of human security and are a sine qua non in any strategy to safeguard against the vagaries of climate change. Apart from envisaging a cautiously worked out network of biodiversity-rich areas, healthy ecosystems also constitute bedrock of green infrastructure that can augment resilience to natural disasters like floods, landslides or storms. The challenges presented by the vagaries of climate change have enhanced the indispensability of sustainable ecosystems. Water is a cross-cutting issue both within and beyond the scope of Agenda 2030. This calls for according priority to the fundamental role of interactions at inter-sectoral level in the implementation of Agenda 2030 at national level and to ensure that measures under the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 are implemented in a coherent and complementary manner by each country. There is need for vigorous incorporation of interactions and joint implementation of the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030, which could initially disrupt sectoral thinking and subsequently make a decisive contribution in terms of driving sustainable development owing to the complementary nature of the measures. Facilitating implementation of this approach warrants smarter decision-making based on the best knowledge available, and commitment to action with other sectors through working partnerships and shared responsibilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_sImgmV6Fs

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Timeline
01 May 2023 (start date)
01 May 2025 (date of completion)
Entity
India Water Foundation
SDGs
Region
  1. Asia and Pacific
Other beneficiaries

Women, youth, farmers, communities, Industry

Countries
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bhutan
India
India
Nepal
Nepal
Contact Information