Water Experts Dive into Conservation on the Occasion of FINISH Mondial India’s 15th Anniversary
By FINISH Mondial India team
Water experts, with over 140 years of combined experience, gathered at the 15th anniversary of the FINISH Mondial India Roundtable, titled “Bridging Gaps for a Water-Ready Future,” to address the global challenge of dwindling water reserves. As we all know, future conflicts may be fought over water rather than conventional resources. The guest speakers explored various aspects of conservation to tackle this pressing issue.
Mr. Rajesh Gupta, former Director of the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), kicked off the discussions by highlighting key aspects of watershed management, emphasising the opportunities it presents in addressing water shortages. He concluded by stating, “The management of watersheds provides a means to achieve sustainable land and water management. Poor water management is a major cause of land and water degradation, especially in rural areas.”
Dr. Venkatesh Dutta from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University offered valuable insights into water resource conservation and the circular economy. He emphasised the gaps in the water cycle’s circularity, where much water is wasted. He advocated the mantra of “use, reuse, and return to nature,” a practice that would reclaim water, build climate resilience, and minimise water waste. He also reminded the audience that potable water, often taken for granted, is an invaluable resource frequently wasted on activities such as flushing, washing utensils, and watering gardens, where lower-quality water could suffice.
SanTech Hackathon 2024 winner Mr. Ravi Kumar then provided deep insights into household wastewater management, sharing how he and his team developed the humus bioreactor to clean greywater. He stressed the dangers of improper greywater disposal, which can accumulate and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pathogens. He also highlighted the runoff of greywater into lakes and rivers, which serve as primary water sources for many nearby communities.
Stephen Birungy, from FINISH Mondial Uganda and Secretary of the Technical Working Group, shared his experiences improving sanitation and hygiene conditions. He proudly noted the construction of 1.8 million toilets in Uganda, which not only improved living conditions but also provided a steady income for those involved. He also discussed the organisation of the annual sanitation hackathon, which addresses sanitation challenges innovatively while providing participants with financial recognition and networking opportunities to advance their careers.
Abhishek Chaudhuri, MD of FINISH Services Management Company (FSMC), discussed the challenges related to the safe disposal of wet organic waste, with a focus on co-composting. While co-composting helps mitigate the issue of dealing with faecal waste, the lack of quality standards and proper infrastructure for producing usable compost make it difficult to scale. Additionally, the stigma associated with human waste further hinders long-term sustainability.
Vidhi Agarwal, President of Techno Group of Institutions, presented three case studies involving Lupin Ltd, Bosch Ltd, and Tata Chemicals, showcasing how corporate social responsibility, combined with other stakeholders, especially local communities, can help address water quality challenges. She highlighted solutions such as rainwater harvesting and well-organised plantation efforts.
Concluding the session, Ms. Kalika Mohapatra, Project Coordinator at FINISH Mondial, Bhubaneswar, raised concerns about the high fluoride content in water resources, which can cause various health issues ranging from dental problems to neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. She emphasised the importance of rainwater harvesting and the need for awareness campaigns to tackle these issues.
The 3½-hour session, smoothly conducted by Ms. Joohi Khushbu, captivated over 100 online participants, who remained engaged throughout the event.
For more details, you can revisit the live stream.