Campus Times | Lucknow

The need for sustainable water management and greater public participation in conservation dominated discussions at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) on Thursday, where environmental experts, policymakers and academicians came together to mark Groundwater Week.

Addressing the gathering, Vice Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal warned that unchecked groundwater extraction, pollution and rising demand are intensifying the water crisis. He said water conservation must become a collective responsibility, urging people to adopt rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and river restoration measures alongside environmental protection.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. A.K. Gupta, Additional Director in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stressed that scientific interventions alone cannot solve the crisis unless they are supported by traditional water conservation practices and community participation. Referring to initiatives such as the Namami Gange Mission and Mission LiFE, he called for stricter regulation of industrial pollution and emphasized the need to replenish natural water resources alongside their use.

Highlighting Indias long standing tradition of water management, Dr. Vinay Kumar Singh, Director of the Uttar Pradesh State Museum, said ancient systems continue to offer relevant lessons for the present. Citing the sophisticated rainwater harvesting network of Dholavira, he advocated integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technologies to build climate resilient water systems.

The programme also featured a tree plantation drive and a museum exhibition showcasing Indias historical water conservation practices, reinforcing the message that protecting water resources requires both policy support and public action. The event was attended by faculty members, researchers, students and officials from the university and the State Museum.