Safe and sustainable technologies and strategies for integrated freshwater resource management: report of scientific workshop June 2019

The India-UK Water Centre (IUKWC) promotes cooperation and collaboration between the complementary priorities of NERC-MoES water security research. The Water-Food-Energy Nexus is a dynamic system in which to realise the safe and sustainable development of freshwater resources that is urgently required due to rising global population, rapid urbanization, changing diets and economic growth. Freshwater is one of the most important natural resources and one of the largest in terms of consumption for the production of food and energy, as well as for drinking. When water resources are polluted and unavailable for drinking, energy, agriculture, certain intra-connections of all three may drive the system in a downward spiral towards a worse situation at both local and global levels. The Water-Food-Energy Nexus is connected to socio-economic development in regions where surface water resources plays a key role. Today the focus is on safe and sustainable technologies and strategies for integrated water resource management, including catchment management, pollution remediation, sustainable agriculture, alternative energy systems, ecosystem conservation, safe water supply and sanitation. Solutions have to be affordable, safe and energy efficient. This report represents an overview of the participation, activities and conclusions at a Scientific Workshop held at JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru from the 25th to the 28th of June, 2019, convened by the IUKWC and led by Dr. Shivaraju H. Puttaiah, JSSAHER, and Dr D. L. Jenkins, University of Plymouth. The report is intended for the workshop participants, India-UK Water Centre members and stakeholders.