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Sustainable, Equitable Access to Water
Providing every Bengalurean enough water for their needs, at a price they can afford
Speakers
Bengaluru is rapidly losing its groundwater. The city’s water bodies have reduced in numbers to give way to buildings and infrastructure projects. Come summer and Bengalureans can be seen obsessively discussing water, or rather the lack of it. While rains bring momentary relief, what about the long-term demands? Little has been done to find local solutions. Just 1,20,000 buildings have implemented rainwater harvesting as of May 2019, a report states. Meanwhile, big projects are on the anvil – like getting water from Yettinahole or Sharavati.
Access to water is a human right – how can we provide every citizen with enough water for their needs, at a price they can afford? How much of Cauvery’s water can be used by Bengaluru? Who has right to that water? How much of groundwater can we use and reuse? What should we pay for that? How can policy help? While citizens are enthusiastic about lake restoration, rainwater harvesting, and recharging of wells, among many other things, what more can be done? There are several regulatory issues involved in urban water management that need institutional and governance related solutions, are mere technical solutions enough?
In a bid to address the city’s urban challenges, Bangalore International Centre in collaboration with Citizen Matters and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy are organising the “Bengaluru Solutions” series to discuss solutions for Bengaluru’s urban water management.
Part of the public engagement series on Bengaluru Solutions, anchored by Citizen Matters and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
Speakers
Tushar Giri Nath
Tushar Giri Nath is a member of the Indian Administrative Services and is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). He has previously served as the Secretary, in the commerce and Industries Department, Bengaluru.
Vishwanath Srikantaiah
Vishwanath Srikantaiah is an expert on water conservation and a Bangalore resident. A Civil Engineer and Urban Planner by qualification, Vishwanath worked with Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) for 14 years before dedicating himself full-time to solving water issues facing urban and rural communities. He is a Trustee at Biome Environmental Trust, an organisation assisting communities in water and sanitation solutions; Popularly known as Zenrainman on social media channels, his insightful articles on water and environmental issues frequently appear in mainstream news publications.
Bhargavi S Rao
Bhargavi S Rao works on the intersections of community action with law, policy, planning and governance as an Independent Researcher and Consultant. She has 25 years of experience across research, advocacy, campaign and teaching on a variety of human rights, governance and people-centred efforts in areas of environmental and social justice. She has worked with the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Environment Support Group, the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science and as a lecturer and teacher. She was Co-Director, International Honours Programme, (Boston University and SIT World Learning), Minnesota Studies in International Development, University of Minnesota and currently teaches on many faculty led Study Abroad programmes from USA, UK, Europe and China. She is guest faculty and speaker at many universities abroad, local educational institutions and corporates.
Shashank Atreya
Shashank Atreya is a Research Fellow at Vidhi, Karnataka. He works primarily with the Karnataka Government to advise various departments in the areas of municipal governance, urban development, urban transport and education.
Meera K
Meera K co-founded Citizen Matters, an award winning digital news media focusing on critical urban issues, ideas and solutions for cities. She also initiated Open City, an urban data platform and Co Media Lab, a community newsroom and resource centre. Meera is the founder trustee at the Oorvani Foundation, a non-profit trust for a free and independent media. Meera is also an Ashoka Fellow, recognised for her work building open knowledge platforms that allow citizens to collaborate and improve their cities.
