Delhi Jal Board in association with University of Virginia unveil the Yamuna River Project

New Delhi: Delhi Jal Board, in collaboration with University of Virginia today unveiled the Yamuna River Project (A symposium cum exhibition), a part of the overall effort to map out an expansive, multidisciplinary prescription to rehabilitate the pollution- choked Yamuna River.
Symposium: Various panel discussions by prominent DJB and UVA representatives set the momentum, which was moderated by Mr.R.S Tyagi, Member (Water Supply & Drainage), DJB & Ms Mriganka Saxena, DJB:
§ Water Quality Modelling- the case of Delhi & others- Prof. Winston Lung, UVA
§ Managing Solid Waster & Air Quality- leading from other cities- Prof. Vivian Thomas, UVA
§ Envisioning the city- Prof. Pankaj Vir Gupta & Prof Inaki Alday, UVA
The discussion opened on the lines of eradicating the “snake” from the picture, the snake which is spreading poison in Yamuna – in the form of pollution. The discussion focussed on the fact that river is holy and we need to worship and protect it from getting polluted as it is close to our hearts.
The Yamuna River Project engages the efforts of government agencies, experts and activists, in India and internationally, in an ongoing research addressing the multidimensional challenges for the recovery of the relation between Delhi and its sacred River Yamuna. As a result, the University of Virginia recently signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the New Delhi water authority to map out an expansive, multidisciplinary prescription to rehabilitate the pollution-choked Yamuna River.
Exhibition: Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal, was the Chief Guest at the Exhibition – “The River Yamuna Project”. Teresa A. Sullivan, President University of Virginia, Keshav Chandra, CEO - DJB, R.S Tyagi, Member (WS) - DJB were also present with some other delegates from various stakeholders at the inauguration of the Exhibition that was held at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
The exhibition showcases the work completed during the last three years and aims to be a catalyst for the urgent recovery of the Yamuna and its tributaries, building a publicly accessible body of information and expertise, and visions of what an alternative future cwould be. UVA’s Yamuna River Project engages students and faculty members from several disciplines, including public health, business, history, environmental sciences and politics. Additionally, the project is a testament to the University’s commitment to generate knowledge, delinked from the power structure and solely focused towards deriving benefits for the society at large.
“UVA faculty and students are excited and energized by this partnership and the opportunity that it represents to revive a great natural resource in India,” said UVA President Teresa Sullivan. “We hope that the Yamuna River project will lay the groundwork for many additional collaborations in India in the future.” Teresa A. Sullivan, President, University of Virginia
The project is expected to bring about a paradigm shift by using sustainable bio-remediation technologies to clean water and robust long-term management strategies to create city-level assets for all. DJB has undertaken the project with the Department of Irrigation and flood control (I&FC) as an important delivery partner.
The exhibition will remain open till 7th April. It has been opened to all from March 30.