Special Lecture at BBAU on Environmental Challenges: From River Culture to Water Conservation

Lucknow: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University organized a special lecture on 19 August under the aegis of the Institutions Innovation Council on the theme “Solving 21st Century Problems Using Science Communication, Technology & Innovation.” Prof. Venkatesh Datta, Head, Department of Environmental Science, BBAU, was the keynote speaker. Prof. Mahendra Kumar Padhi, Prof. Rachana Gangwar, Dr. Arvind Singh and Dr. Loknath were also present on the occasion. The programme commenced with the organizing committee presenting a bouquet to Prof. Datta. Prof. Mahendra Kumar Padhi welcomed all the participants and briefed them about the objectives and outline of the programme.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Venkatesh Datta highlighted the relationship between higher education and environmental challenges, stating that even today, only around 5 percent of the country’s population is able to access higher education. He explained how natural disasters such as floods not only affect human life but also have a significant impact on water resources and river systems. He expressed concern over the interference with the natural flow and structure of rivers in several places for personal use, which disrupts the ecological balance of river systems. He also explained the concept of “good and bad water”, highlighting the quality of water and its impact on human life. Discussing the concept of River Culture, Prof. Datta emphasized the importance of the traditional and social relationship between communities and rivers. He stated that community behaviour and the activities of animals in a particular area can serve as important indicators of water quality and help determine whether water is clean or polluted. He further elaborated on concepts such as river cross-section, River Continuum and River Connectivity. In addition, he explained the structure and significance of floodplains, emphasizing the need to maintain a balance between rivers and their surrounding natural ecosystems. He stressed the importance of combining scientific approaches with an understanding of local communities and biodiversity indicators to effectively understand and address challenges related to river systems.
Faculty members, research scholars and students were present throughout the programme.

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