Science and innovation for catchment management: report of scientific workshop May 2019

Abstract

The India-UK Water Centre (IUKWC) promotes cooperation and collaboration between the complementary priorities of NERC-MoES water security research. This report represents an overview of the participation, activities and conclusions at a Scientific Workshop, held at Warwick Conferences at the University of Warwick, UK from 8th to 10th May, 2019. The workshop was convened by the India-UK Water Centre and led by Mr Ant Parsons (ALP Synergy Ltd) and Dr Kapil Gupta (IIT Bombay). The three-day workshop aimed to explore and build on existing knowledge and research to enhance collaboration and identify pathways to impact (including relevant NERC-MoES Science), identify gaps in research and innovation that are constraining sustainable catchment management, explore innovative approaches to monitoring and management, and consider the potential for SMART Rivers as part of integrated catchment management. The aims of the workshop were met by bringing together early career researchers, seasoned professors and experienced professionals from India and the UK, who covered a wide range of topics across the themes of climate, water quality, water quantity, and land and catchment management. The following report outlines some common challenges, cross-cutting themes and activities required for improving catchment management, potential solutions to catchment management and shares some of the ideas for new collaborative projects that were developed. The report is intended for the workshop participants, India-UK Water Centre members and stakeholders