PA/03/12 1 February 2012
Australia and India – working together on water
The Australian High Commission is pleased to welcome three senior environmental visitors to India this week. Globally renowned water expert Dr Don Blackmore, former Premier of South Australia the Hon Mike Rann, and senior climate change official Dr Subho Banerjee, all descend on Delhi this week for the 2012 Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.
As well as presenting at the Summit, each has a program of calls with senior Indian counterparts, exploring opportunities for increased cooperation between Australia and India in areas such as water management and energy efficiency.
Taking advantage of the presence of Dr Blackmore, Mr Rann, and Dr Banerjee, Australian High Commissioner Peter N. Varghese AO today hosted an expert panel discussion on water scarcity. The panel included two distinguished experts from India: Mr Ashok Jaitly, mentor of the Water Group and all activities relating to Water and Sanitation at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); and Dr Alok K. Sikka who is currently Technical Expert (Watershed Development) at the National Rainfed Area Authority.
The panel discussion provided an excellent platform to share Australia’s expertise and experience in developing policy solutions and reform, at both a state and federal level. It was also an opportunity to consider the impacts of climate change on water in Australia and India, and the role of government in responding to issues of water security, quality and management.
The panel’s Chair, Australian High Commissioner Peter N. Varghese AO said “As the driest inhabited continent on earth, Australia has come to see water as a scarce and precious resource which requires careful management and planning. We see similarities in terms of what India is trying to do, be it with regard to developing river basin plans, pollution control or increasing the efficiency of water use in Indian agriculture. Water management is a natural area of collaboration between our two countries and one in which Australia is keen to intensify engagement with India”.
The panel was attended by a range of water experts based in India from the Indian government, non-government organisations, research institutions, diplomatic representatives and international institutions.
Dr Blackmore, who is in India as the Australia India Council Environment Speaker for 2011-12, will also visit Varanasi, Kanpur and Hyderabad.