Training on Urban Lake Management - Towards Water and Environment Sustainability

Date: September 21-23, 2015

Water bodies in the form of lakes, ponds, tanks and wetlands are an integral part of the hydrological cycle. Properly managed lakes in urban areas have an important role as a source of water supply, controlling run-off and groundwater recharge. These water bodies also host a wide variety of flora and fauna, provide recreation spaces and improve micro climate in the built environment. With rapid urbanization and expansion of city boundaries, a number of lakes in urban areas are facing issues of over exploitation, encroachment, discharge of industrial effluents /domestic sewage and uncontrolled siltation. This results in the destruction of the water body and its catchment area. For prevention of pollution, conservation and restoration of lakes, the government has come up with different policies and acts.

The fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution of India Article 51 a – states ‘it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures’. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is an umbrella Act under which the Central Government can notify steps to be taken by states for ensuring protection, conservation of the environment, including lakes and other bodies.

Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) plays an important role in the restoration of lakes/water bodies in India. MoEF has formulated the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and developed guidelines in 2008. In the 12th five year plan, one of the main strategic attention is towards the restoration of 0.1 million ha. of wetlands/inland lakes and water bodies by 2017. The emphasis is on sustainable solutions towards revival and protection of water bodies and recharging ground water. 

Ministry of Urban Development has also taken steps for prevention of pollution, conservation and restoration of lakes in urban areas. In 2013, the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO), the technical wing of the Ministry, has come up with an advisory on conservation and restoration of water bodies.

Aim: Capacity enhancement of city officials on conservation, restoration and management of lakes for water and environmental sustainability in urban areas.

Objectives:

• Improved knowledge on urban lake management – the concepts, tools and techniques.

• Develop skills in mapping of lake (and its catchment) and cleaning of urban lakes.

• Understanding of lakes as a source of urban water supply and groundwater recharge. 

• Update on existing and upcoming policies/guidelines/reforms on urban lake management and the way forward

• Awareness on potential and benefits of conservation, restoration and management of lakes 

Target Groups: City officials from urban local bodies, development authorities, water supply and sewerage boards and public health department (from target states) involved in conserving, restoring and management of water bodies, planning and management actions for wise use of lakes and water bodies aimed at achieving healthy and sustainable urban development. 

Participation of faculty/trainer/ researcher from Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies; other Centre of Excellence and officials of – TCPO, NIUA, CPWD, NCR Planning Board and HUDCO is encouraged by Ministry of Urban Development to also take benefit from the training programme.

Venue
CSE, Anil Agarwal Environment Institute (AAETI)
38, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi

No Registration Fees.
Boarding/lodging will be provided by organizers to all the training participants. Only TA/DA has to be sanctioned by nominating state governments/ institutions.

For further information kindly contact:

Dr. Mahreen Matto (Training Coordinator)
Programme Officer, Water Programme
Centre for Science and Environment
41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area New Delhi-110062, India
Email: mahreen@cseindia.org
Tel: +91 (011) 29955124
Fax: +91 (011) 29955879

Dr. Suresh Kumar Rohilla
Programme Director
Water Programme
Email: srohilla@cseindia.org

 

FEEDBACK

“The training was relevant to my work and will definitely take it forward by implementing the topics/techniques covered in the course. Also there is a need for all the urban local bodies, environmental departments and drainage departments to undergo this course/training” Sanjay Narayan Kulkarni, Executive Engineer (Environment), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Pune, Maharashtra -------------------------------------------------------------------- “CSE has an excellent training infrastructure. I will approach to my authority and will explain the benefits and cost effective approaches of lake management” Sanjoy Chowdhury, Asst Engineer (Civil), Project Management Unit, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata -------------------------------------------------------------------- “The training programme was very useful. CSE should move ahead and arrange an advanced level of training and e-learning courses on ‘Urban lake management’ with topics on ‘how to increase the water table in lakes and catchment area’ also covered” Sandip Krishnasinh Kor, Asst. Engineer, BMC Mumbai, Kapurbawdi, Thane, Maharashtra -------------------------------------------------------------------- “The training was well structured. The programme has enhanced my knowledge regarding urban lake management. However it should be extended to minimum of 4 days” Laxman Hanmanta Chalwadi, Dy. Engineer, Solapur Municipal Corporation, Solapur, Maharashtra -------------------------------------------------------------------- “The objective achieved from the training was how to revive the polluted urban lakes. I recommend engineers of civil bodies/government bodies to attend the course and gain knowledge and awareness about lake management” Shirish P Patil, Sub Engineer (civil), Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Ghatkopar, Mumbai -------------------------------------------------------------------- “The training programme is a splendid achievement for me and hope to implement something from the training in my city” Mahendrakumar P Patel, Junior Engineer, Surat Municipal Corporation, Public Parks & Garden dept. Surat, Gujarat