The launch of Project Agastya

		Project Agastya
		INAUGURATION

Home About Us Team Agastya Background Objectives Vision Activities Feedback Registration Newsletter Talks/White Papers e-Groups Photo Gallery		The *25/Bangalore* Foundation, jointly with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation** (UNIDO-ICAMT) has launched an initiative called Project Agastya for *better, more efficient and Sustainable Water Resources Management* in Bangalore. This programme is the one of its kind in India, and is incubated by UNIDO-ICAMT. This Programme was launched through a Workshop on “*Environmental Concerns & Sustainable Solutions for Water Resources Management in Bangalore City” at ICAMT, CMTI Campus, Bangalore on Thursday, 20^th June 2002. See Vision Statement* THE OBJECTIVE : The objective of this Workshop was: a. To create a Forum to develop, initiate & implement Sustainable Solutions for Water Resources Management in Bangalore City. b. To create a Discussion-cum-Working Group consisting of the various stakeholders in Water Management & usage in Bangalore City, to address the problems faced by the consumer of Water resources. c. To launch a series of Awareness Programmes on the scarcity value of water, to promote the significance of a Scientific approach to Water Resources Management. d. To develop new approaches to serving (involving the disadvantaged groups), increase efficiency, improve technical & operational practices, and access new sources of finance. Attended : This Workshop was attended by the various stakeholders of the Water Resources, the Civic authorities, the Corporation, the Press, Consumers (both domestic & commercial) and other like-minded NGOs, the media and members of the 25/Bangalore Foundation. Decisions : The Workshop ended with the launch of a Forum consisting of the various stake-holders of the Water Resources, the Civic authorities, the Corporation, the Press, Consumers (both domestic & commercial) and other like-minded NGOs. It was named “Project Agastya”. All the Participants of the Workshop indicated interest to join the Forum. The Objective of Project Agastya is : To develop, initiate & implement Sustainable Solutions for Clean Water Resources Management in Bangalore. To be a Discussion-cum-Working Group consisting of the various stakeholders in Water Management & usage in Bangalore, to address the problems faced by the consumers of Water resources. To launch a series of Awareness Programmes on the scarcity value of water, to promote the significance of a Scientific approach to Water Resources Management. To develop new approaches to serving (involving the disadvantaged groups), increase efficiency, improve technical & operational practices, and access new sources of finance. Objectives of Project Agastya *Project Agastya* :** Conceived as a Government-Private-Public partnership, Project Agastya includes all the stakeholders in Water Management & usage in Bangalore, as well as representatives of the UNIDO-ICAMT, the 25/Bangalore Foundation, Government Departments & agencies, Research & Educational institutions, bilateral/multilateral agencies & other like-minded NGOs. Project Agastya has the support & participation of the 25/Bangalore Foundation & UNIDO-ICAMT in its activities. During the Inauguration of the Forum, a detailed Plan of Action was presented, which is a result-oriented time-bound activity chart. It clearly defines what *the 25/Bangalore* Foundation** & Project Agastya would do for the first 6 months, and also some broad guidelines for its activities. The rest of the PoA would be drawn-out by the Forum during its first few meetings. It is presumed that it would take at least 3 to 5 years to achieve all the objectives. Mr. S Vasantha Kumar, Advisor, UNIDO-ICAMT, was nominated as the Chairman of Project Agastya, while Mr. Rajeev Kumar, General Secretary, the 25/Bangalore Foundation, was appointed Chief Executive Officer. See full Profile of Office-bearers & Key Executives Structure : The Forum is headed by the Chairman, assisted by a Vice Chairman. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), assisted by a group of Directors, Dy. Directors & Asst. Directors, handles the day-to-day affairs. There is a Finance Committee lead by a Chairman, Vice Chairman & Convenor, with five Executive members. The objectives of the Forum would be achieved/implemented by its functional groups, which would be formed based on the functional divisions of the Forum Every activity within the functional parameters would be the responsibility of the respective Functional Groups. Each Functional Group is lead by a Chairman, Vice Chairman & Convenor, with five Executive members, supported by a team of Experts & Volunteers. The Chairman, Vice Chairman & Convenor of the respective Functional Groups reports to the CEO through the Directors/Asst. Directors. PLAN OF ACTION Mr. Rajeev Kumar, CEO, presented the Plan of Action : 1. A DETAILED STUDY OF THE WATER RESOURCES SITUATION IN BANGALORE. A secondary survey/research assisted by the various stakeholders, likeminded Organizations, etc. A primary study of the situation in the Industrial domain & the Domestic domain. To develop a sustainable system for a better, more efficient Water Resources Management for Bangalore. *- 6 months* 2. ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BY STUDENTS. To facilitate deployment of factual information for the application of environmental sound life style and practices amongst various stakeholders in domestic, industrial and services sector at Bangalore through younger generation with the support of community. To promote awareness about on the scarcity value of water, to promote the significance of a Scientific approach to Water Resources Management among the domestic consumers of Water & Energy. In association with Research & Educational Institutions, bilateral agencies, Government depts., Civic bodies, Financial Institutions, etc. *- being launched in September ’02.* 3. MODEL UNITS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES. This Project involves in identifying units that can be developed into model units for eco-adaptability, clean/efficient practices/technologies, efficient utilities & waste management, good housekeeping practices, etc. The technical team of Project Agastya would help in transforming & maintaining the standards of these units. They would act as a showcase for the media, public, the industry & the policy makers to refer, plan & implement eco-friendly programmes & practices. This Project involves domestic units, industry units, Educational & Research institutions, the stakeholders of water resources in Bangalore & the Policy makers. We have also developed an initiative to bring other like-minded individuals & Organisations together & work as a team. In association with the public, bilateral agencies, Government depts., Civic bodies, Financial Institutions, etc. To assist the Industry, Government agencies, Civic bodies, the domestic consumers, investors acquire cleaner technology/techniques & there by improve their efficiency. *- to be initiated in August ’02.* 4. CLEAN TECHNOLOGY CAMPAIGN FOR WATER . In association with bilateral agencies, Government depts., Civic bodies, Financial Institutions, etc. Expected partner countries : France, UK, USA, Australia, Swiss, etc. To assist the Industry, Government agencies, Civic bodies, the domestic consumers, investors acquire cleaner technology/techniques & there by improve their efficiency. *- being launched in September ’02.* *Also :* Lectures, Exhibitions, Promotion & Events in new/clean practices. Better/Scientific approach to Tanks/Watershed Management. An interactive news column in leading newspapers. A directory of NGOs, Organisations (incl. Companies, R&D centres & Academia), Financial Sources, experts & expertise in Water Resources Management & Clean Technology. - During the Programme, several Government Departments/Agencies, Other NGOs & Associations offered support & co-operation to Project Agastya & its programmes. Some of them are : The Departments of Ecology & Environment, Watershed Development, Mines & Geology and Urban Development. The following Organisations also declared their involvement, support & co-operation : Central Water Commission (CWC), Bangalore Mahanagara Pallike (BMP), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), The Indo French Cell for Water Sciences (IFCWS), The Embassy of France India, The British Council & The British Library, KRVP, the Confederation of Indian Industries, the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FKCCI), Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Alliance to Save Energy (USA), Suez Corp. (France) and the Rainwater Club. For more details please contact : Mr. S Vasantha Kumar, Chairman – Project Agastya (& Advisor, UNIDO-ICAMT). Ph : 3478109, 3478110, 3479832. Fax: (080) 347 5450 email: svkumar@icamt.org Mr. Rajeev Kumar, Chief Executive Officer – Project Agastya & General Secretary, The 25/Bangalore Foundation. Ph : 333 5590 (R) email : the25bangalore@rediffmail.com, rajarajeevkumar@indiatimes.com Mr. Renji Abraham, Director (Hon.) – Project Agastya. Mobile : 98440 36522 Ph : 558 4613. Mr. U Jagannatha, Director (Hon.) – Project Agastya. Ph : 98452 50590.