Released on: March 21, 2008, 7:32 pm

Press Release Author: Dr BR Natarajan

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: Water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water
resources are facing increasing demands from, and competition among, users. In 1992,
the UN General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water.
The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of
the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de
Janeiro.

Press Release Body: BITS Pilani has been collaborating with international
organizations like Ben Gurion University Negev Israel's Jacob Blaustein Institute
for Desert Research (BIDR) and Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) for
various aspects of water resources development and management. The Institute has a
Center for Desert Development Technologies (CDDT) and Rain Water Harvesting.

One among the top ranking universities in India today, Birla Institute of Technology
and Science (BITS) Pilani is located in the heart of the Shekhawati region of
Rajasthan which is characterized by its massive rolling sand dunes, excessive heat
of the order of 50 degrees centigrade in May and June with sand temperatures rising
to 70 degrees, dust storms and dust raising winds with velocities 140-150 kmph. The
annual average rainfall is less than 250 mm and 90% of this rain occurs during the
monsoon falling between July and September. Water is scarce but is often found at
depths of 100-200 feet below ground. For the people of Rajasthan, conserving water
is indeed a mission with passion.

The International convention on Water Resources Development and Management has been
scheduled during October 23-26, 2008 at BITS Pilani Rajasthan. The convention plans
to have a two day conference and a two day workshop. The technical sessions in the
conference include Water Resources Development and Management, Technology
Advancement as well as Socio economic aspects. The Workshop will focus on alternate
water resource management schemes, optimization models, public awareness means,
field visits etc.

The proposed convention will be of immense interest and benefit to academicians,
researchers, NGOs, Consultants, State and Central Government Administrators from
Pollution Control Boards, Power Generation - Ground Water - Irrigation - Urban Water
Supply & Sewerage departments.

Several alumni of the Institute have been passionate about water. Vijay Kedia
Mechanical engineer from BITS Pilani is a celebrity for pioneering rain water
harvesting in Aurangabad Maharashtra. Proud to be BITSians Gyanendra Singh, SN
Sanwal, Kushal Sacheti, Pradeep Bishnoi and Rajiv Gupta have been spearheading the
CDDT at BITS Pilani.

For more details about the convention contact Dr Ajit Pratap Singh
aps@bits-pilani.ac.in and apsbits@gmail.com

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani Rajasthan which has set the
industry university collaboration bench mark in India today is one among the top
ranking universities offering degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani,
Dubai, Goa campuses and in the short future at Hyderabad campus apart from an array
of work integrated learning programmes for HRD of a vast spectrum of Indian
corporates. The alumni of the Institute are spread across the globe from Australia
to America.

Web Site: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in

Contact Details: Dr BR Natarajan
Professor & Dean
Work Integrated Learning Programmes
Vice President BITSAA
Phone 91-1596-242210
Fax: 91-1596-244183
Email: brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
WEbsite: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in