report of the activities carried out by dr. ramakar jha scientist-e1 ...

REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY DR. RAMAKAR JHA
SCIENTIST-E1, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HYDROLOGY ROORKEE, INDIA
DURING HIS VISIT TO USA DURING 21-25 MAY 2006 TO ATTEND EWRI’S
WORLD WATER CONGRESS
I, Ramakar Jha, Scientist-E1 at Environmental Hydrology Division of the National
Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, India (under the Ministry of Water Resources,
Government of India) visited USA to attend Environmental and Water Resources
Institute’s (EWRI’s) World Water Congress at Omaha, Nebraska, USA during 21-
25 May 2006 and present a research paper entitled “Estimation of non-point
source pollution in a typical river of India”. I was one of the four recipients of the
EWRI’s “Visiting International fellowship” award in the World Environmental and
Water Resources Congress and my selection was made competitively by the IC’s
Visiting International Fellowship Task Committee members.
It was a great moment for me to receive the “Visiting International fellowship”
award during International Fellowship Reception & Icebreaker/section & Branch
Welcome in Exhibit Hall on 21 st May 2006 (Sunday) at 6.00 PM by Jeanette
Brown, EWRI President, Prof. Saito Laurel, Professor, University of Nevada-
Reno, Katie L. Gorscak, EWRI Special Projects Coordinator and other hon’ble
Task Committee members. The efforts made by Prof. Saito Laurel, Professor,
University of Nevada-Reno for making my visit successful is enormous and I am
grateful to her for the support. I am also grateful to Prof. V.P. Singh, Department
of Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA for
recommending me for “Visiting International fellowship” award. During the
Congress, I interacted with Panel experts, task committee members, American
Society of Civil Engineer (ASCE) officials, Scientists and Professors from
different teaching and research institutes over the globe, Central and State
government officials, NGO’s and various agencies of USA. I have observed that,
it was really a great opportunity for me to interact with eminent scientists who
came from various parts of the globe on the topics of my interest.

The purpose of my visit was to participate in the Congress present research
paper selected for EWRI’s “Visiting International fellowship” award, involvement
in Visiting International Fellows Panel Discussion and involvement in professional
and cultural exchange activities during the visit to United States.
The following photographs shows the award ceremony held during International
Fellowship Reception & Icebreaker/section & Branch Welcome in Exhibit Hall on
21 st May 2006 (Sunday) at 6.00 PM- 8.00 PM.

I presented the research paper on the topic “Estimation of non-point source
pollution in a typical river of India” on 22 nd May 2006 (Monday) at 1:30 PM- 3:00
PM during the session “Mathematical models in International Water
Management” In fact, estimation of non-point source (NPS) pollution is a topic of
research that resulted in the development of numerous models and modeling
techniques in the last few decades. It is to mention that the non-point source
pollution enters the receiving surface water diffusely at intermittent intervals.
Although non-point sources may contribute many of the same kinds of pollutants,
these pollutants are generated in different volumes, combinations, and
concentrations. The extents of non-point source pollution are mainly related to
infiltration and storage characteristics of the basin, the permeability of soils,
geographic, geological, land use/land cover conditions differing greatly in space
and other hydrological parameters. Agricultural activities are an acknowledged
non-point source (NPS) of pollution of surface and ground water.

It is very essential to estimate the area contributing non-point source pollutant
discharge at different sampling points in a river. In India, very little work has been
done to estimate non-point source pollution occurring due to agricultural
practices and over-use of fertilizers during monsoon and non-monsoon periods.
The research paper presented by me was highly appreciated by the members
and experts present in the lecture hall.

On 23 rd May 2006 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM there was a Panel Discussion on
“Water Management Challenges and Sustainability: An International
Perspective”, in which International Fellows including me were involved. Each
International Fellow made presentations on the topic. I apprised the august
gathering on the surface and ground water pollution problems and importance of
modeling approach for its near real-time simulation. The Panel experts present in
the meeting were mainly Prof. Saito Laurel, Dr. Joe, Dr. Jay, Dr. Mark, Dr.
Zhuting, Dr. Nanda, Dr. Moris. In addition, many delegates, and EWRI and ASCE
officials were present.

I was involved in professional and cultural exchange activities with Professor
V.P.Singh, Department of Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton
Rouge, USA since long. He has been guiding force to my profession carrier,
social and cultural activities. We have come out with several program such as;
(a) research papers in the area of water quality simulation using entropy
approach, ANN modeling, analytical approach; and (b) organization of
Intenational Conference on “Water, Environment, Energy and Society (WEES)
during 18-21 December 2007 jointly by Louisiana State University, Texas A&M
University, USA and National Institute of Hydrology. We are looking for financial
support from National and International Donor agencies. I have very high
regards for Professor Singh who supported me in a best possible way to make
my visit to USA a great success.
Finally, I would like to give my sincere thanks to Professor Saito Laurel,
Professor, University of Nevada-Reno, USA for her kind support. She has been

supporting in every query I raised and helped me through regular e-mail replies. I
wish to thank, Katie L. Gorscak, EWRI Special Projects for doing all the support
to me for uploading my research paper on the web-site and for others needs. I
also wish to thank and pay my regards to Jeanette Brown, EWRI President, Dr.
Mark and other hon’ble Task Committee members for their great hospitality,
which is unforgettable.