Released on: March 21, 2008, 1:02 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: 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.

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 India (RANA) for various aspects of water resources
development and management. The Institute has a Center for Desert Development
Technologies (CDDT) and Rain Water Harvesting.

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 and Dean
Work Integrated Learning Programs
Vice President
BITS Alumni Association BITSAA
Pilani (Rajasthan) 333031 India
Phone 91-1596-242210
Fax 91-1596-244183
Email:brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
www.bits-pilani.ac.in