Latest news with #IWRM
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Integrated water management crucial for growth, climate resilience: Fadillah
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's ability to support its fast-growing digital economy including the rapid expansion of water-intensive data centres hinges on strengthening the country's water infrastructure and implementing long-term, integrated water resource planning, says Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. 'Water is now considered the new oil. It's a strategic resource,' he said, stressing the need for a stable and sufficient water supply not only for the public but also to attract high-impact investments like data centres. These facilities rely heavily on water to cool their systems, and demand is expected to rise as global firms increasingly choose Malaysia as a regional hub. Fadillah warned that growing pressure from climate change and industrial demand could strain existing water infrastructure if a coordinated approach is not adopted. 'This situation places added pressure on water systems, which are not yet fully equipped to handle extreme and unpredictable weather events. Without a comprehensive and integrated approach, the risk of clean water supply disruptions will continue to rise, ultimately affecting public well-being and national development,' he said at the Malaysia Water Forum 2025 today. He outlined three key approaches to accelerate Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based. A comprehensive approach means managing all aspects of water—from supply and quality to irrigation, flooding, and ecosystem conservation—holistically. Inclusivity involves participation from all stakeholders: government, private sector, academia, civil society, and grassroots communities. He cited the 2025 National-level World Water Day celebration as an example of inclusive advocacy that brought together students, religious leaders, civil servants and industry players on a shared platform. The evidence-based approach, he added, requires decisions and programmes to be guided by scientific data, impact assessments, and clear performance indicators. While Malaysia has made strides with policies such as the National Water Resources Policy 2012 and the National Water Policy 2024, Fadillah acknowledged persistent gaps in implementation. He pointed to fragmented agency roles, limited enforcement capacity, underfunded infrastructure, and a general lack of public awareness and technical expertise as barriers to meaningful reform. Among key past efforts, he highlighted the formation of the Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) in 1993 to promote stakeholder collaboration, and the establishment of the Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) in 1999 as a model for state-level water governance. Malaysia's commitment also extends to the global level, with Fadillah reaffirming the country's support for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially SDG 6 on clean water access and SDG 17 on cross-sector partnerships. 'More than two billion people globally still lack access to clean and safe water,' he said, underlining the urgency of building a resilient governance model that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability and public welfare. - Bernama
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Fadillah: Comprehensive, Inclusive And Evidence-based Approach To Accelerate IWRM
PUTRAJAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said three key approaches - comprehensive, inclusive and evidence-based - have been outlined to accelerate the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in a more systematic and effective manner. He said that under a comprehensive approach, water management must be implemented holistically, covering aspects such as supply, quality, irrigation, flooding, and ecosystem conservation. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, added that the inclusive approach emphasises active participation from all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, educational institutions, and grassroots communities, which he described as crucial.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
River basin mgmt norms get govt nod
T'puram: Nearly seven years after the catastrophic 2018 floods exposed Kerala's institutional unpreparedness, state cabinet cleared a comprehensive river basin conservation and management (RBCM) framework. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This move, long in the making, formalises the state's first basin-level governance mechanism to implement integrated water resources management (IWRM) across all 44 rivers. The decision seeks to correct the systemic inertia and fragmented water governance that worsened the impact of climate-induced disasters. The note also observes that poor management and lack of institutional capacity led to "sub-optimal and ad hoc response, from one disaster/emergency to another". The framework will establish a multi-tier governance structure involving a high-level apex committee chaired by chief minister, a steering committee led by chief secretary and river basin level committees anchored by district collectors. These committees will prepare long-term basin plans and year-wise action plans, while facilitating coordination across departments dealing with irrigation, forests, environment, urban drainage, disaster management and groundwater. Govt acknowledged that the consequences of past neglect haven't been limited to flooding alone. The new structure will bring clarity and accountability, claim govt the framework also provides for a legally backed financial system, including a pooled fund to support technology integration, inter-basin coordination and unfunded but critical interventions not covered under routine budgets. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The planning process will involve both long-term vision and adaptive short-term action. Each river basin will prepare a comprehensive master plan "tailored to natural hydrological boundaries" and reflecting the ecological, social and economic priorities of the region. An annual action plan will break the long-term vision into year-wise, measurable activities covering pollution control, flood preparedness, sustainable agriculture and more. These will be aligned with departmental schemes where possible but in cases where plans fall outside approved mandates, an "augmentation plan" will be invoked using the special pool fund. What distinguishes RBCM is its grounding in legislative authority, particularly Chapter XIV of Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, 2003, which allows for the creation of river basin-level boards.
Business Standard
20-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Reclaiming Water, Restoring Hope for Kolar: The Art of Living & Ashirvad
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 20: In the drought-worn landscape of Kolar, Karnataka, a quiet revolution has taken root. Not with slogans or grand announcements; but with stone, soil, science and spirit. "The root cause of poverty in villages is the lack of water. Solve the water problem, and prosperity returns," - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Inspired by world renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Kolar Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Project (April 2024 to March 2025) by The Art of Living Social Projects and Ashirwad by Aliaxis is the story of how a corporate vision, a humanitarian mission, and community participation converged to address one of India's most critical environmental challenges: groundwater depletion. Led by The Art of Living Social Projects, in partnership with Ashirwad by Aliaxis, this year-long initiative set out with a simple but transformative objective - to recharge the earth beneath Kolar's feet and reignite hope in its people. Kolar's Crisis: A Deepening Dryness Once famed for its gold mines, Kolar today faces a far rarer commodity - water. Since the 1960s, unsustainable groundwater extraction has left vast parts of the district parched. Borewells now plunge 1,500 to 2,000 feet deep in search of moisture. Agriculture falters, women walk miles for water, and youth migrate as traditional water systems collapse. According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and NITI Aayog's Water Index, Kolar is among India's most 'overexploited' groundwater zones. This is more than an ecological problem. It's a human crisis, disrupting livelihoods, health, and rural dignity. Primary Goals: Turning Vision Into Action The partnership responded with a scientific and human centered solution - a replicable IWRM model rooted in participatory design, data-driven planning, and grassroots empowerment. 1. Scientific Site Identification Using geological and aquifer mapping (aligned with CGWB standards), potential recharge zones were meticulously selected through multi-parametric analysis. 2. Recharge Structure Construction Following the successful JalTara model, each intervention site paired a Boulder Check (to slow runoff) with a strategically placed Recharge Well (to percolate water into aquifers). 3. Water Literacy & Community Capacity Building Training deepened public understanding of water cycles, aquifer behaviour, and the importance of recharge. Youth and elders alike engaged, many for the first time, in local hydrology. 4. Ownership & Decentralisation Elected Representatives (ERs) and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) were involved throughout - from planning to post-construction monitoring. 5. Monitoring & Documentation Impact dashboards, infiltration tests, and site photographs ensured transparency, while GIS-based maps empowered Gram Panchayats to oversee their own resources. 6. Scalable Sustainability With Kolar as a pilot site, this model is poised for replication across drought-prone districts in Karnataka and beyond. Project Highlights (April 2024 - March 2025): * 135 pairs of Boulder Checks (BCs) and Recharge Wells (RCWs) constructed across 26 villages, reaching 10,000+ residents * Comprehensive geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological surveys for optimal site selection * Water Literacy Training Programmes conducted in every Gram Panchayat * MoU-based execution with strong Gram Panchayat involvement and formal handovers This was not just civil work, it was community work. Beyond Numbers: A Human Story While metrics quantify impact, the spirit of the project lives in the people it touched. Farmers Reclaim Confidence In Arabikothanur and Harati, villagers saw something they hadn't in years - water staying in the soil after a rain. "We had accepted drought as normal. Now we see water in our land - and that is not just water, it is hope." Farmer, Arabikothanur GP Youth and Awareness Water Literacy sessions awakened curiosity among students. "This is the first time I've understood where water goes after it rains." Student Volunteer, Harati GP Panchayat Ownership Local leaders felt seen and empowered."This is the first time a CSR project came and stayed with us till the end - not just for inauguration." Elected Representative, Shapur GP Women in Water Leadership For many women, restored wells meant reclaimed time and energy. "If the well near my house works again, it saves my legs, my time, and my life." Woman Farmer, Bethani Village Seva Meets Science: A New Development Paradigm This project became a model of mindful collaboration, where: * Contractors saw the work as duty, not just deployment * Villagers offered voluntary help without being asked * Corporate partners, scientists, and community members walked together - not in parallel, but in unison Looking Ahead: A Replicable Movement The Kolar IWRM Project has done more than restore water - it has revived trust, participation, and shared responsibility. As a benchmark model, it offers a compelling case for how scientific precision and spiritual intention can co-create sustainable impact. This wasn't a project for the people. It was a project with the people. And through them. The Art of Living Social Projects is committed to creating lasting societal impact through transformative initiatives. With a focus on holistic development, the organisation continues to uplift individuals and communities - earning recognition and accolades along the way. Follow: Like:
Fashion Value Chain
20-06-2025
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
Reclaiming Water, Restoring Hope for Kolar: The Art of Living & Ashirvad
In the drought-worn landscape of Kolar, Karnataka, a quiet revolution has taken root. Not with slogans or grand announcements; but with stone, soil, science and spirit. 'The root cause of poverty in villages is the lack of water. Solve the water problem, and prosperity returns,' – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Inspired by world renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Kolar Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Project (April 2024 to March 2025) by The Art of Living Social Projects and Ashirwad by Aliaxis is the story of how a corporate vision, a humanitarian mission, and community participation converged to address one of India's most critical environmental challenges: groundwater depletion. Led by The Art of Living Social Projects, in partnership with Ashirwad by Aliaxis, this year-long initiative set out with a simple but transformative objective – to recharge the earth beneath Kolar's feet and reignite hope in its people. Kolar's Crisis: A Deepening Dryness Once famed for its gold mines, Kolar today faces a far rarer commodity – water. Since the 1960s, unsustainable groundwater extraction has left vast parts of the district parched. Borewells now plunge 1,500 to 2,000 feet deep in search of moisture. Agriculture falters, women walk miles for water, and youth migrate as traditional water systems collapse. According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and NITI Aayog's Water Index, Kolar is among India's most 'overexploited' groundwater zones. This is more than an ecological problem. It's a human crisis, disrupting livelihoods, health, and rural dignity. Primary Goals: Turning Vision Into Action The partnership responded with a scientific and human centered solution – a replicable IWRM model rooted in participatory design, data-driven planning, and grassroots empowerment. Scientific Site Identification Using geological and aquifer mapping (aligned with CGWB standards), potential recharge zones were meticulously selected through multi-parametric analysis. Recharge Structure Construction Following the successful JalTara model, each intervention site paired a Boulder Check (to slow runoff) with a strategically placed Recharge Well (to percolate water into aquifers). This boulder check dam increases soul moisture & minimizes erosion Water Literacy & Community Capacity Building Training deepened public understanding of water cycles, aquifer behaviour, and the importance of recharge. Youth and elders alike engaged, many for the first time, in local hydrology. Ownership & Decentralisation Elected Representatives (ERs) and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) were involved throughout – from planning to post-construction monitoring. Monitoring & Documentation Impact dashboards, infiltration tests, and site photographs ensured transparency, while GIS-based maps empowered Gram Panchayats to oversee their own resources. Scalable Sustainability With Kolar as a pilot site, this model is poised for replication across drought-prone districts in Karnataka and beyond. Project Highlights (April 2024 – March 2025): 135 pairs of Boulder Checks (BCs) and Recharge Wells (RCWs) constructed across 26 villages, reaching 10,000+ residents Comprehensive geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological surveys for optimal site selection Water Literacy Training Programmes conducted in every Gram Panchayat MoU-based execution with strong Gram Panchayat involvement and formal handovers This was not just civil work, it was community work. Beyond Numbers: A Human Story While metrics quantify impact, the spirit of the project lives in the people it touched. Farmers Reclaim Confidence In Arabikothanur and Harati, villagers saw something they hadn't in years – water staying in the soil after a rain. 'We had accepted drought as normal. Now we see water in our land – and that is not just water, it is hope.' Farmer, Arabikothanur GP Youth and Awareness Water Literacy sessions awakened curiosity among students. 'This is the first time I've understood where water goes after it rains.' Student Volunteer, Harati GP Panchayat Ownership Local leaders felt seen and empowered.'This is the first time a CSR project came and stayed with us till the end – not just for inauguration.' Elected Representative, Shapur GP Women in Water Leadership For many women, restored wells meant reclaimed time and energy. 'If the well near my house works again, it saves my legs, my time, and my life.' Woman Farmer, Bethani Village Seva Meets Science: A New Development Paradigm This project became a model of mindful collaboration, where: Contractors saw the work as duty, not just deployment Villagers offered voluntary help without being asked Corporate partners, scientists, and community members walked together – not in parallel, but in unison Looking Ahead: A Replicable Movement The Kolar IWRM Project has done more than restore water – it has revived trust, participation, and shared responsibility. As a benchmark model, it offers a compelling case for how scientific precision and spiritual intention can co-create sustainable impact. This wasn't a project for the people. It was a project with the people. And through them. About The Art of Living Social Projects The Art of Living Social Projects is committed to creating lasting societal impact through transformative initiatives. With a focus on holistic development, the organisation continues to uplift individuals and communities – earning recognition and accolades along the way. Follow: Like: Post: Message:
