Training programme on urban lake management

For registration click here

Limited part/full scholarship available

Part I - Basic - Theory, science, practice, tools, approaches, Regulatory framework 
Date: October 15 to 18

Field visits
Date: October 19 to 21

Part II - Advanced - Studio on Urban Lake Management Plan
Date: October 22 to 25

Venue:  Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI), Nimli, Rajasthan

About the Training
Water bodies in the form of lakes, ponds, tanks and other wetlands are an integral part of the hydrological cycle. Properly managed wetlands, especially lakes, in urban areas have an important role as a source of water supply, controlling run-off and groundwater recharge. These water bodies also host a wide variety of flora and fauna, provide recreation spaces and improve micro climate in the built environment. With rapid urbanization and expansion of city boundaries, a number of wetlands in urban areas are facing issues of over exploitation, encroachment, discharge of industrial effluents /domestic sewage and uncontrolled siltation. This results in the destruction of the water body and its catchment area. For prevention of pollution, conservation and restoration of wetlands, the government has come up with different policies and acts. 

The fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution of India Article 51 a – states ‘it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures’. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is an umbrella Act under which the Central Government can notify steps to be taken by states for ensuring protection, conservation of the environment, including wetlands. 

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) plays an important role in the restoration of lakes/water bodies in India. MoEF has formulated the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and developed guidelines in 2008. In the 12th five year plan, one of the main strategic attention is towards the restoration of 0.1 million ha. of wetlands/inland lakes and water bodies by 2017. Further, in 2016 the guideline was also formulated under integrated programme called the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) merging of the National Lake Conservation Plan and the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has also taken steps for prevention of pollution, conservation and restoration of lakes in urban areas. In 2013, the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO), the technical wing of the Ministry, has come up with an advisoryon conservation and restoration of water bodies. 

Realising the fact that context matters and the challenges and solutions would be unique for each lake’s management, the School of Water and Waste, AAETI, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is organizing a second round of training on "urban lake management plan" from 15th – 25thOctober, 2019. The training is based on demand and understanding the need of building capacity of stakeholders for developing urban lake management plans. The trainingincludes a step further focusing on providing hands-on practice based sessions forthose who are directly involved in lake management. Participants areencouraged to come up with their own case examples to showcase/discuss respective cases.

The 10 days short term residential training is being organized at CSE’s newly built state-of-art facility, AAETI at Nimli, Rajasthan. AAETI is a learning, training and innovation centre designed to find appropriate and affordable solutions to some of the most pressing environmental problems.

Refer to details of previous similar training programme organised by CSE: Click here Part –I, Part-II

Aim
The aim of the training is to develop capacity of various stakeholders on conservation, restoration, planning and management of wetlands for water and environmental sustainability in urban areas.

Objectives

• Improved knowledge on urban wetlands management – the concepts, tools and techniques.
• Develop skills in mapping of wetlands (and its catchment) and cleaning of urban lakes/wetlands.
• Understanding of wetlands as a source of urban water supply, groundwater recharge and wastewater treatment
• Prepare Urban Wetland /Lake /Flood plain Management Plan.

Training Methodology
The trainings style is considerably based on the ‘Harvard Case Method’, which conveys teaching messages through interactive practical work done by trainees. The trainings will be focused on experiential learning – including individual/group interaction, practical group exercises, interaction with experts, discussions, field visit and documentary films to highlight the best management practices successfully implemented. Furthermore, the trainings are complimented by sessions and discussions on existing case studies which demonstrate the recommended actions and interventions for sustainable water and sanitation management.

Field Visit
The training programmewill have dedicated sessions for field visits to have practical visibility of the best management practices for Urban Wetlands Management. 

Training Methodology
Classroom lectures, field visits, presentations, case studies, group exercises, assignments and discussions

Training Coordinators

Shivali Jainer
Programme Manager
Water Programme
+91-11-40616000 (Ext: 244)
Email: shivali@cseindia.org

Dhruv Pasricha
Sr. Research Associate
Water Programme
+91-11-40616000 (Ext: 322) 
Email: dhruv.pasricha@cseindia.org

Training Director

Dr. Suresh Kumar Rohilla
Senior Director & Academic Director (School of Water and Waste, Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute - AAETI)
Email: srohilla@cseindia.org