SCSI-HC and PJTSAU have jointly organized the World Water Day - 2024 at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi on 22-03-2024

The Soil Conservation Society of India – Hyderabad Chapter (SCSI-HC) and Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) have jointly organized the World Water Day - 2024 at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, on the theme of Water for Peace. Dr. K. Srinivas Reddy, Principal Scientist, CRIDA and Chairman, Soil Conservation Society of India Hyderabad Chapter, Dr. G. Manoj Kumar, Associate Dean, CAE, Kandi and Secretary, SCSI-HC, Dr. K. B. V. N. Phanindra, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT-Hyderabad, Dr. S.A. Hussain, Senior Professor, Er. M. Srinivasulu, Head (SWCE) and Dr. N. Hari, Head (IRDE) have graced the occasion. The Associate Dean and Secretary, Soil Conservation Society of India Hyderabad Chapter, briefly addressed about the formation, importance and objectives of Soil Conservation Society of India Hyderabad Chapter (SCSI-HC). On 25-03-2019, SCSI-HC was launched at WTC, PJTSAU by Dr. V. Praveen Rao, the then V.C., Patron, Dr. K.S. Reddy, Chairman and Dr. G. Manoj Kumar, Secretary with more than 50 life members. The objectives of SCSI are to survey and assess the natural resources of this country, implementation of integrated watershed management approach by people’s involvement and the government, and for the development and management of micro water resources for bio-production. Then, he emphasized about the significance of World Water Day, that United Nation’s theme for this year is “Water for Prosperity and Peace”. He shed light on the objectives regarding how water can either foster peace or incite conflicts between nations and how water can lead us out of crisis. He mentioned the critical role on how water plays in global geopolitics and the necessity for sustainable water management practices. Dr. KS Reddy (Chairman, Soil Conservation Society of India, Hyderabad Chapter and Principal Scientist ICAR- CRIDA, Hyderabad) explained the importance of SCSI and highlighted the urgent need to conserve water resources, drawing attention to pressing issues faced by cities like Bangalore and Chennai. He cautioned that Hyderabad could potentially face similar challenges if proactive measures aren't taken to conserve water.Continuing the discourse on water conservation and management, Dr.Phanindra, delivered a comprehensive speech on “An overview of Water in India - Availability, Management and Challenges”, and explained in detail about the hydrological cycle, figures and statistics of global water resources, demand-supply dynamics, and strategies for conservation and replenishment of groundwater. He emphasized the importance of adopting management techniques and different models, including the utilization of remote sensing technology, to address water scarcity issues effectively. On this occasion, to create awareness on water, essay writing and painting competitions were conducted among the students and prizes were distributed for the winners. In the formal vote of thanks, it is mention that, more than 200 members (SCSI-HC – life members, staff and students) have actively participated in the celebrations and made this event a grand success. The World Water Day celebration at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Kandi, Sangareddy, served as a platform for management and conservation towards addressing the pressing challenges related to water sustainability. It reinforced the commitment of the institution to promote responsible water stewardship for a better future.