In New Delhi, the 8th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari.

The 8th Edition of the Indian Water Impact Summit (IWIS) was recently opened in New Delhi on November 22, 2023 by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The three-day summit, which took place from November 22 to 24, 2023, was organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga). It brought together government representatives, stakeholders, and scientific experts to discuss the opportunities and dynamic challenges facing India's water sector.

The Vision of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for Sustainability

The Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, made a powerful speech in which he emphasized the critical roles that ethics, ecology, the environment, and economics play in forming a sustainable future. Citing the potential development of the Zuari River in Goa as a model for increasing tourism and generating revenue, he promoted the conversion of knowledge into wealth through innovation and waste into wealth.

Other Speakers Point of view

Minister Igor Papic stressed the importance of combining social science and humanities into technology development in order to promote a comprehensive strategy.

The dedication of Namami Gange to purifying and revitalizing the Ganga and its tributaries was reaffirmed by G. Asok Kumar, DG-NMCG.

Debashree addressed the challenges brought about by climate change by highlighting important issues and strategies related to water security and management.

Adress India's Challenges in Water Security

The Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, listed the main obstacles to water security and management. She talked about how the government has made significant investments in clean water and sanitation through major initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission. Ms. Mukherjee highlighted how climate change affects water cycles and offered solutions that prioritize river health, agricultural water use efficiency, and comprehensive management.

Department of Holistic Technologies

Slovenia's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Igor Papic, advocated for a comprehensive strategy for technology development that would benefit society as a whole. He emphasized the importance of water as a basic natural resource and its role in sustainable management, emphasizing the need to include social science and the humanities. Global issues like water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate change were discussed by Shri Papic.

Technological Innovation displayed at CITIS

Technology presentations, an exhibition, and creative solutions in the areas of water, energy, waste, food, agriculture, and transportation were featured at the concurrent India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) and the First CITIS Summit. The Jalaj Stall became a major draw, representing the excitement around investigating cutting-edge water solutions. Sessions on "Samarth Ganga and Productive Land-I" and "Lifestyle for & Economics of River-I" were held on the first day of IWIS.

Global Initiatives and International Collaboration

On December 10, 2023, in Dubai, during COP28, Shri. G. Asok Kumar made an announcement regarding the Global River Cities Alliance's (GRCA) impending launch. He stressed the need for cities to come together on a global scale to turn rivers into agents of change for urban water management. Shri Kumar outlined the accomplishments of NMCG in terms of reducing pollution, managing river basins efficiently, and fostering a relationship between people and rivers. With the establishment of the Global Cities Alliance and the extension of cooperative projects by NMCG to 140 rivers, the government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling urban water issues.