Schedule (tentative)
2nd International Conference
River Health: Assessment to Restoration (RHAR-2021)
Talks of the Tributaries : Rivers Varuna and Assi in the Middle Ganga Basin
Detailed Program of RHAR 2021
Day 2: 23.10.2021 (Saturday)
First Session: 10.00 AM -1.30 PM: Data and knowledge sharing on the river Assi
Session1.1: 10.00: 11.30: Keynote Addresses. Application of advance technologies in challenging conditions
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/gyj-uhop-adz
Welcome and Brief about the session: Prof. PK Singh, IIT (BHU)
Session Chair: Prof. Hadas Mamane, Tel-Aviv University
Co- Chair : Prof. Md. Jawed, IITG
Theme: Social and Environmental Objectives: Ensuring environmental flow and bathing water quality near Sankat Mochan ghat of river Assi near Varanasi
· 10.00- 10.10: Introduction about the session, Social and Environmental objectives- PK Singh, IIT (BHU)
· 10.10- 10.25: Prof. Kwang-Guk AN/Dr. Usman Atique, South Korea- Fishes as the indicator of river health
· 10.25-10.40: Prof. Hadas Mamane, Tel-Aviv University, Israel-Application of Biocapsules in contaminant removal.
· 10.40- 10.55: Prof. Rajesh Seth- University of Windsor, Canada- Advanced Oxidation Processes
· 10.55- 11.10: Prof Shiv Prasher, McGill University, Canada- Application of Biochar in river water quality improvements.
· 11.10- 11.25: Prof. Sanjukta Patra, IITG- Application of enzymes in river water quality improvements.
· 11.25-11.30: Discussion and Concluding Remarks.
Summary Report: Prof. Md. Jawed, IITG- Technology options for river Assi.
Session 1.2: 11.30- 01.30 PM: Three Discussion Groups in Parallel Session; Group A: Hydro-geology, Group B: Environmental Technology Team and Group C: Social and Administrative Works Team.
Group A: Hydro-geology
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/gyj-uhop-adz
Theme: Defining the Challenges and Possible Options in river Assi Parallel Sessions
Session Chair: Prof. CSP Ojha, IITR.
Co- Chair: Prof. KNP Raju, BHU
· Prof. KNP Raju, BHU- Geological perspectives of rivers Assi and Varuna
· Prof. Ramakar Jha- E flow estimation for river Assi and Varuna.
· Prof. U K Chaudhary, IIT BHU- Revival of hydrodynamics of river Assi and Varuna.
· Dr Medha Jha, IIT BHU- Geohydrology of river Assi catchment.
· Dr Mansee B. Bhargava - Visions for hydrological revival of river Assi.
· Dr. A.K. Dwivedi, Irrigation – Possibilities of flow augmentation of river Assi through pump canal system from river Ganga. .
· Prof. CSP Ojha/ Mrs. Anjali- Rejuvenating River Assi.
Discussion and Recommendations
Summary Report: Dr. Mansee B. Bhargava/ Dr. Medha Jha
Group B: Environmental Technology Team.
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/zit-vyfh-nua
Session Chair: Prof. Raghav Verma, IIT Mumbai
Co- Chair: Prof. Nadeem Khalil, AMU
Defining the Challenges:
· Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, INTACH, Delhi- River water quality challenges in river Assi
· Dr. A.K. Vidyarthi, CPCB- Recent initiatives Pollution load reduction
· Er. Ram Balak Singh, CPCB, Lucknow
· Er. Kalika Singh, UPPCB, Varanasi- River water quality challenges in river Assi.
Technological Options
· Prof. HS Shankar, IITB- Nala tapping and local treatment options.
· Prof. Raghav Verma, IIT Mumbai- Application of an advanced instrumental system for pollution reduction in river Assi near Varanasi.
Prof. AK Keshri, IIT Delhi- Re-aeration in degraded rivers.
· Dr. Atya Kapley, CSIR-NEERI- In situ nala treatment (RENEU)
· Prof. Nadeem Khalil, AMU- Options of health restoration of river Assi near the city.
· Prof. PK Singh/ Mrs. Ria Ranjan Srivastava, IIT (BHU) - Options for reuse of reclaimed water in the river Assi catchment near Varanasi.
· Dr. Suresh Babu- Wetlands development planning for health restoration river Assi.
Prof. AK Keshri, IIT Delhi- Re-aeration in degraded rivers.
Identification of sites including ponds in river Assi catchments for Bio remediation/ phytoremediation of contaminants:
· Prof. UN Rai, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow
· Prof. AS Raghubanshi, IESD, BHU
· Prof. Kavita Sah, IESD, BHU
· Dr. V.K. Mishra, IESD, BHU
· Dr Prashant Singh, BHU
Summary Report: Prof. UN Rai/ Prof. Naddem Khalil
Group C: Social and Administrative Works Team
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/dpq-rkrw-hen
Session Chair: Shri R.N Singh, IPS
Co- Chair: Shri Yogendra Giri, Shanti Kunj, Hardwar
Objective: To develop a public bathing ghat near Sankat Mochan Bridge on river Assi
· Shri R.N Singh, IPS - Social mobilization for river Assi health restoration.
· Prof. Rana P.B. Singh, BHU- Cultural perspectives of river Assi and Varuna.
· Prof. PK Mishra, VC, Jharkhand Technical University- Social cooperation for health restoration of river Assi.
· Dr Anurag Ohri, IIT BHU- Spatial decisions to restore river Assi.
· Shri Alok Shukla, CII State Head- Role of Private Sector in Industrial Management.
· Shri Yogendra Kumar Giri, Shantikunj Hardwar- Experiences from river restoration works from Madhya Pradesh.
· Dr. Bhupendra Singh Bisht- Land use planning for sustainable Resource Development in River Assi.
· Dr. Avadhesh Pratap, Water Law Expert- River space restoration.
· Dr. Sanjay Rai, Varanasi- Social challenges in restoration of river Assi.
· Er. Awadhesh Narayan Singh- Administrative divisions in the Assi catchment and municipal agencies involved.
· Er. Ramesh Singh- Water supply and waste water management scenario in river Assi catchment- how to complete water cycle in the catchment.
· Dr. Meena Kumari Jangir, Traditional wisdom for river health restoration near city areas.
· Shri Atul Jain, Connecting with people for river health restoration.
· Dr. Sujith Koonan, Improved environmental sanitation for river health restoration.
Summary: Prof. Rana P.B. Singh, BHU
Second Session: 2.30 PM-5.30 PM: Recommendations and Way Forwards
Session 2.1: (2.30- 3.30 PM)
Joining Link : https://meet.google.com/gyj-uhop-adz
Welcome and Brief about the session: Prof. PK Singh, IIT (BHU)
Session Chair: Dr. Prithvish Nag, Ex- Surveyor General of India
Co-Chair: Prof. HS Shankar, IITM
River Varuna
Hydrogeology: Prof. V. Dutta, BBAU
ETT: Dr. Atya Kalpey, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur
Dr. V.K. Mishra, IESD, BHU
River Assi
Hydrogeology: Prof. CSP Ojha, IITR and Dr Mansee B. Bhargava
ETT: Prof. HS Shankar, IITB and Prof. UN Rai, CSIR, Lucknow
SAW: Shri R.N Singh and Dr. Sanjay Rai
Session 2.2: Way Forwards : RHAR 2023: (3.30- 4.30 PM)
Joining Link : https://meet.google.com/gyj-uhop-adz
Session Chair: Prof. V. Tare, IIT Kanpur
Co-Chair: : Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, INTACH
Present status and challenges in tributaries to be focused:
1. River Gomti : Prof. V. Dutta, BBAU, Lucknow
2. River Saryu: Prof. S. Shukla/ Dr. V.K. Chaudhary, RMLAU, Ayodhya
3. River Tapti: Prof. Govind Pandey, MMMTU Gorakhpur
4. River Ramganga: Dr. Suresh Kumar, IIT Kanpur
5. River Hindon: Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, INTACH/ Dr. V. Shinde, NIUA
Suggestive Cooperation and Action Plans for different organizations for river health restoration in next five years:
1. IIT (BHU) and associated technical research institutions
2. cGanga
3. MJS
4. NMCG
5. CPCB/ UPPCB
6. Department of Irrigation, UP
7. Municipal Corporation, Varanasi
8. WRG 2030/ World Bank/ Other Financial Institutions
Valedictory Session
Vote of Thanks: Prof. PK Singh, Convener, RHAR 2021.