Latest news with #StockholmWaterPrize
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mula has heart disease, but is being treated by dentist: India's waterman on Riverfront Development Project
It was a coincidence that water conservationist Rajendra Singh, who is based in Rajasthan, was in Pune around the time that PCMC demolished entire bungalows in Chikhali because these were built on the blue floodline of the Indrayani river. In 2016, he carried out a day-long fast to support citizens and experts in the city who were demanding that PCMC halt constructions in the blue flood line of the Indrayani River. 'The municipality ignored these demands at the time. Recently, a court ordered the demolition of constructions within the Indrayani River's blue flood line by May 31. Timely attention to the demands to save the Indrayani river could have prevented this situation,' he said. 'I expect that similar demolitions will, eventually, take place on the Mula banks as well,' Singh added. 'This is not the development of a river but the killing of a river. The Mula river is suffering from a heart disease but is being treated by a beauty parlour and a dentist,' said Singh after he visited the Mula river, the site of the Riverfront Development, on Sunday. Singh, who won the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2001 and the Stockholm Water Prize, said to be the water conservation Nobel Prize, is known as the Waterman of India. Singh was visiting Pune after a year. 'I was sad to see that soil had been filled 75 ft into the blue zone on the PCMC side. If this happens on the PMC side as well, the entire river will die. This will increase the risk of flooding,' he said. Singh said that the term 'river rejuvenation' had been coined more than 50 years ago when he, as a 14-year-old had begun to work on revitalising dried and dead rivers. 'The way I did it was by using rainwater and small dams to recharge the aquifers and, thus, raise water levels of the rivers. We managed to revive 23 rivers. For this, more than 12 lakh young people, including more than 6,000 dacoits of the Chambal region, worked with us. Today, the river is still flowing and many dacoits have substituted their guns for agricultural equipment and turned into farmers,' he said. Singh said there was dire need to rejuvenate the rivers of Pune, beginning with cleaning the water, addressing the problem of drains that discharge pollutants in the river, tackling encroachments and preventing extraction. 'I estimate that, if the RFD work continues, PMC and PCMC areas will see heavy flooding and destruction. Then, perhaps, we will return to the correct definition of river rejuvenation,' he said. The conservationist is appealing to people to protect the river. 'This is not a fight against any neta or officer. A river stands for people's lives, cultures, civilisation and the people of Pune should save the rivers that flow through the city,' he said. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
See - Sada Elbalad
20-03-2025
- Science
- See - Sada Elbalad
Hydrologist Günter Blöschl Wins 2025 Stockholm Water Prize
H-Tayea Professor Günter Blöschl, a world-renowned hydrologist and expert in flood risk reduction, water resource management, and climate change impacts on flooding, has been named the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Recognized for his pioneering research, Professor Blöschl has significantly advanced the global understanding of flood scaling, regional hydrology, and sociohydrology, making a lasting impact on the scientific and engineering communities. The Stockholm Water Prize Committee, in its official statement, hailed Professor Blöschl as the world's leading flood hydrologist, emphasizing his groundbreaking contributions to understanding flood risks under climate change and the role of regional flood processes. The committee highlighted how his observation-based research has revealed that the past two decades have been significantly more flood-prone compared to historical records. Reacting to the announcement, Professor Blöschl expressed gratitude, stating: "This is such an honor. It really makes me think about how lucky I am to be working with such brilliant people." Blöschl, a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, currently heads the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management and serves as the Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems, a program he founded over 15 years ago. He also holds a part-time professorship at the University of Bologna. Throughout his career, Professor Blöschl has collaborated with leading global scientists, including previous Stockholm Water Prize laureates Taikan Oki and Andrea Rinaldo. His research has taken him across the world, including extended stays in the US, Canada, and Australia, where he gained valuable perspectives on scientific and societal issues related to water management. Anette Scheibe Lorentzi, Chair of the Stockholm Water Foundation, praised Professor Blöschl's contributions, stating: "With his groundbreaking research, Professor Blöschl has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of flood risk reduction and sustainable water resource management. In the face of a changing climate, this knowledge is more important than ever, and I congratulate him on being awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025." The Stockholm Water Prize, regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Water", is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to water research and management. Professor Blöschl will receive the Stockholm Water Prize 2025 from H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the official patron of the award, during World Water Week in Stockholm in August. About the Stockholm Water Prize The Stockholm Water Prize is supported by leading international partners, including Ålandsbanken, Bacardi, PDJ Foundation, WEF, and Xylem. The prize honors extraordinary achievements in water science, technology, and policy, addressing critical global water challenges. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of floods, Professor Blöschl's work has become more relevant than ever. His innovative research not only improves flood risk management but also shapes global policies for climate resilience and sustainable water resource management. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Ireland Replaces Former Israeli Embassy with Palestinian Museum News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Lifestyle Maguy Farah Reveals 2025 Expectations for Pisces News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
