SYLLABUS

GS-3: Environment Conservation

Context: 

Recently, Pune-based scientist Dr Himanshu Kulkarni became the first individual from the Indian subcontinent to receive the International Water Prize 2025.

About the International Water Prize 2025

• The honour was announced in 2024 and formally presented on 15 September 2025.
• The award includes a trophy and a cash prize of USD 25,000.
• Dr. Kulkarni was recognised for his pioneering work in groundwater governance and aquifer-based water management, with a strong focus on community partnerships.
• The University of Oklahoma (OU) WaTER Center gives its International Water Prize through an internal nomination and selection process, not public nominations, with past recipients highlighted at their annual conference. 

About Dr Himanshu Kulkarni

• He is the founder, Trustee and Secretary of ACWADAM (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management), Pune, which pioneered community-led groundwater management.
• He also served as Co-Chair of a Working Group for NITI Aayog’s 12^th Plan and contributed to the National Aquifer Mapping Program.
• He advocated for groundwater as a common pool resource, promoting community partnerships for sustainable management.
• He dedicated his career to strengthening water governance frameworks in India through research, policy input, and institution building.

International Water Prize

The award is a biennial recognition, instituted in 2009 by the WaTER Center at the University of Oklahoma, USA.

• WaTER Center aims to promote peace by advancing health, education, and economic development through sustainable water and sanitation solutions for impoverished regions, using innovative teaching, research, and service/leadership activities.

It specifically focuses on the fields of water supply and sanitation in emerging and developing regions.

The prize is designed to honour outstanding contributions through research, teaching, or service in addressing water-related challenges.

Its goal is to improve access to clean water and sanitation for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations.

Source:
pune 
Indian Express
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