UNESCO supported the 3rd World''s Large Rivers Conference held in New Delhi, India
Author: isi网站管理员-刘成Source: Updated: 2017-07-14

3rd World’s Large Rivers Conference in New Delhi, India

The UNESCO-supported 3rd “International Conference on the Status and Future of the World’s Large Rivers”, initiated by Prof. Helmut Habersack from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria, and organized together with the Indian National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, took place from 18th to 21st of April 2017 and gathered more than 200 scientists and practitioners from all over the world. Besides attractive scientific sessions, interesting technical tours and charming social events, the UNESCO-supported World’s Large Rivers Initiative, which aims to further intensify research and cooperation on large rivers, has been further developed.

The pressures and impacts on the World’s Large Rivers have increased greatly in recent years, as a consequence of their exploitation to meet human needs. Large rivers are particularly exposed to problems of multiple uses, often with conflicting aims. At the global scale, there is no overview assessment of the current status of the World’s Large Rivers, the conflicting demands on such rivers, and likely future anthropogenic impacts, as well as the potential for restoration and the associated problems.

In 2011 the first International Conference on „The Status and Future of the World’s Large Rivers“ in Vienna, Austria, provided a global forum for a wide-ranging discussion of key issues related to research on large rivers and to their effective and sustainable management, involving both scientists and decision makers. This successful event was continued in 2014 in Manaus, Brazil at the fascinating Amazon River. Based on these conferences, a new UNESCO / IHP Initiative (WLRI - World’s Large Rivers Initiative) has been called to life which aims in fostering a global network of programmes and partners related to the work and research at large rivers.

One of the main tasks of this Initiative is to continue the successful series of World’s Large Rivers Conferences. Since we have had five potential venues for the conference in 2017, the applications have been reviewed by an internationally scientifically renowned Advisory Board which opted for India, New Delhi, as the next venue for the World’s Large Rivers Conference.

The technical sessions gave up-to-date insight into the latest scientific findings on the situation and problems of large rivers in the thematic fields of “Hydrology, Hydraulics and Water Quality”, “Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics”, “Ecology and Restoration” as well as “Integrated Management”. Special focus was also given to recent developments and research at Indian rivers facing nowadays challenges. The international and regional character of these sessions attracted a large number of local scientists and gave the opportunity for deep-insight discussions. 

In the evenings, a variety of social events was offered, allowing the conference attendees to make contact with other scientists and researchers. The Welcome Reception on Tuesday, 18th, as well as the Conference Banquet on Friday, 21st of April, took place at the India Habitat Centre and provided a relaxed ambience in a beautiful setting. A very special event was the personal invitation to all conference attendees by Mrs. Dr. Dhvani Sharma, National General Secretary. This charming garden party was also attended by Mr. Ananth Kumar, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs as well as Chemicals and Fertilizers, who was obviously very attracted to the world’s large rivers idea and suggested a strong cooperation with Indian ministries.

On Saturday, 22nd, and Sunday, 23rd, a large number of attendees took the chance to participate in one of the Technical Tours. The Jamuna-Tour brought the participants to the fascinating Taj Mahal situated at the banks of this important river. The second tour featured the Ganges which is the holiest Indian river. In Varanasi, the most important city in Hindu culture, the life of people is directly connected to the river.

The fourth World’s Large Rivers Conference will be held in 2020/2021. The venue will be announced by the end of 2017.

We would be very happy to welcome you at this 4th conference! 

More information can be found on http://worldslargerivers.boku.ac.at.

Opening Ceremony (© WLR)

Opening Ceremony – enlighting the candle (© WLR)

During the Sessions (© WLR)

Group Photo (© WLR)

Minister Ananth Kumar, WLRI-Initiator Helmut Habersack and General Secretary Dhvani Sharma (© WLR)

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