Pune: The "National Level Water Conference" held on October 22 at MIT World Peace University (MIT WPU) highlighted the urgent need for a global environmental culture focused on preserving the Earth.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Willo Foundation, TERRE Policy Centre, Global Nature Fund, and MIT WPU, drew wide participation from environmentalists, students, and researchers from across the country.
The conference featured three sessions and included prominent figures such as Evy Hoch from the Willo Foundation, Dr. Vinita Apte of TERRE Policy Centre, Dr. Ratnadeep Joshi of MIT WPU, Sunil Shastri from Ocean Governance, and Hemant Watve, Managing Director of Wilo Mathur & Platt Pumps Pvt. Ltd.
In her opening remarks, Evy Hoch emphasized the need for a unified approach to environmental preservation, stating, "Despite cultural differences, we share one planet.
Developing an environmental culture that supports sustainable development is vital. Platforms like this Water Conference are critical to conservation efforts."
Dr. Vinita Apte called for resource-rich countries to assist developing nations by providing eco-friendly technologies, warning that future conflicts could be fought over water if environmental concerns aren't addressed.
"Corporate participation in conservation is encouraging," she added, "and collective action will make the difference."
Dr. Ratnadeep Joshi highlighted MIT WPU's commitment to sustainability, describing how the campus incorporates green initiatives like waste management and energy-saving technologies. He advocated for using traditional Indian wisdom to solve modern environmental challenges.
Bharat Kale from MIT’s Centre of Excellence discussed the importance of ensuring water quality in both rural and urban areas, emphasizing that industrial water use must avoid contamination.
Senior researcher Sunil Shastri cautioned against the looming water crisis, stating, "Water is a finite resource. With India holding just 4% of the world’s water, we need urgent conservation measures, especially given the heavy agricultural demand."
Hemant Watve stressed the role of sustainable business practices in environmental preservation and encouraged students to engage in research related to water conservation.
Dr. Ajay Deshpande shared insights from his tenure at the National Green Tribunal (NGT), where he observed that many individuals are unaware of their environmental rights. "A clean environment is not only our right but also our duty," he noted.
The conference also featured contributions from Bharat Kale, Sunil Shastri, Hemant Watve, Dr. Ajay Deshpande, and others, who provided guidance to the participants on various water conservation and environmental issues.