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WATER EDUCATION AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTEducation and training for hydrology and waterresources development and management in IndiaRakesh Kumar and R. D. Singh, National Institute of Hydrology, IndiaPresently, India is facing innumerable challenges in planning,development and management of water resources.Well-trained manpower is required to meet thesechallenges. However, water resources have been a relativelyneglected subject for education and training in developingcountries like India.Suitable education and training is needed for hydrologists at all levelsImage: National Institute of HydrologyIn these developing countries, a general hydrology course is normallyoffered in the areas of civil engineering, agricultural engineering,geology and geography. Most of the academic institutions concentrateon scientific education, leaving the applications of knowledge to belearned through on-the-job training. However, no amount of trainingcan substitute for a well-planned and executed education programme,which should enable fresh degree holders to become well-trained andskilled professionals at various levels. Hydrology and water resourcesinclude interdisciplinary subjects such as civil engineering, agriculturalengineering, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology,geophysics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, ecology andgeo-informatics. Thus, solving complex hydrological and water problemsinvolves multidisciplinary approaches. However, at present mostorganizations lack the adequate manpower, competence and skillsneeded to adopt multidisciplinary approaches and new technologiesfor solving complex water issues based on the concept of integratedwater resources management for sustainable development.Undergraduate education currently gives varying levels of coverageto the water resources subjects in civil and agricultural engineering.Postgraduate education in hydrology and waterresources is also inadequate in its response to the issues.Educational programmes in schools do not adequatelyinclude evolving methodologies for assessment andintegrated management of water resources to meetthe needs of economic and social development andapproaches for conservation and management of waterresources. At present, a substantial part of the subjectof water resources is being dealt with under geography,biology and chemistry. An immediate and substantialtask is to decide on the curriculum and course syllabiand prepare the necessary study materials. Slight changeswould be required in subjects like geography to introducegeomorphology and climate change, and in biology,social sciences and chemistry to include the availabilityand management of water including rainwater harvesting,water conservation, wastewater treatment, ecologicalconservation and the interaction of man and biosphere.Currently, undergraduate education gives varyinglevels of coverage to water resources subjects, mainlyin civil engineering and agricultural engineering disciplines.Undergraduate courses should be designed toimpart basic and applied knowledge to students aboutwater resources problems and their solutions. Effortsshould be made to provide in-depth knowledge aboutthe basic theories involved in water resources planning,design and management. Some of the basic coursesshould be made compulsory; whereas advanced coursesshould be elective. Subjects like hydrology and waterresources should be introduced as part of the curriculumfor undergraduate students. Undergraduatesshould also be introduced to hydrologic design criteriaand to the procedures and practices for the planning,design and management of various water resourcesprojects being followed in India and the world over. Forthis purpose, the data requirements and infrastructurefacilities required for providing solutions to the varioushydrological and water resources problems should becovered. Specialized courses in hydrology and waterresources at both undergraduate and diploma levelshould be designed and run at educational institutes toprovide in-depth and focused knowledge of the requiredsubjects for hydrologic analyses and water resourcesplanning, development and management. Adequateinfrastructural facilities including placement of welleducated,trained and competent faculty staff as well[ 140 ]