Impact of climate change on water availability in our country is likely to become a central question before national planning agencies: CWPRS would have to play a major role”- Vice President of India
Vice President inaugurates CWPRS (Central Water and Power Research Station) Centenary Celebrations in Pune
Pune, 4th October 2016 : “In the coming years, the impact of climate change on hydrological cycle and the water availability in our country is likely to become a central question before national planning agencies and CWPRS would have to play a major role in developing knowledge, insight and skills to meet the challenges in that regard ” This was said by Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari while delivering the inaugural address during CWPRS Centenary Celebrations today at CWPRS Campus, Khadakwasla, Pune.
While lauding the contribution of CWPRS over the years , the Vice President said that the field of water resources management will have to continue to adapt to the current and future issues facing the allocation of water. Shri Hamid Ansari said that with the growing uncertainties of global climate change and the long term impacts of management actions, the decision-making will be even more difficult. He added that it is likely that ongoing climate change will lead to situations that have not been encountered and as a result , new management strategies will have to be implemented in order to avoid setbacks in the allocation of water resources. He said CWPRS would be required to design, implement and evaluate water management policies and strategies to achieve effective governance of water resources in the country.
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (WR, RD and GR) Sushri Uma Bharti, Union Minister of State (WR, RD and GR) Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan , senior officials Central and State Government also attended the Centenary Celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (WR, RD and GR) Sushri Uma Bharti emphasised upon the role of CWPRS in sustainable development of the society. She said that with water resources getting stressed and the sustainable development goals set by the global community , the role of CWPRS becomes critical in providing optimum solutions through R&D in water and power sector .
In recognition of the contributions of CWPRS in service to the nation, the Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on “Central Water and Power Research Station” and A Coffee Table Book on “CWPRS – Service Research” and a Technical Compendium on “CWPRS Studies on Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project” was also released by the Vice President of India Shri Hamid Ansari along with other guests .
It may be noted that the CWPRS, Pune set up initially as a “Special Irrigation district” in 1916 by the then Bombay Presidency, has continued to serve for 100 years be catering to the Research and Development needs for evolving safe and economical planning and design of water resources structures, river engineering, hydropower generation and coastal engineering projects fulfilling the mandate of ‘Service to the Nation through Research’.
Owing to its receptivity towards incorporating new technology with the changing times, the CWPRS has acquired the stature of a world class water and power research institution. CWPRS has carried out over 5500 research studies and technical reports and contributed immensely in Nation Building through research.
Considering the infrastructure and expertise available, CWPRS has been identified under ‘ World Bank aided National Hydrology Project’, as a Nodal Agency for providing overall guidance on hydro-meteorological and water quality equipments selection, commissioning and quality control to all States/Union Territories. Accordingly, CWPRS is setting a Centenary Complex, since it would comprise many Centres for various instruments. The proposal complex would facilitate setting up of testing, calibration and training facilities for identified Hydro-Met-WQ Instruments including Data Loggers, Telemetry systems, software etc., and development of standard protocols for instrument testing and calibration facilities, so as to support the water resources management program of State Implementing Agencies, etc. CWPRS would also participate in finalization of specification for Hydro-Met-WQ Instruments : assistance in technical bid evaluation and extending technical guidance to State Implementing Agencies in installation and commissioning and other operational issues. An International Seminar on “Real Time Data Acquisition for Integrated Water Resources Management” would also be organized on 7-8 November 2016 in Pune.
