Training, Education, Research and Capacity Building Needs and Future Requirements in Applications of Geospatial Technology for Water Resources Management

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> In India, water resources are managed at different levels, i.e. at central level by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board, at states level by state water resources departments, and at local level by Municipal Corporation and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). As per India’s national water policy of year 2012 focuses on adaption to climate change, enhancement of water availability, water demand management by efficient water use practices, management of floods and droughts, water supply and sanitation, trans-boundary rivers, conservation of water bodies and infrastructure, and finally research and training needs for each theme. Geospatial technology has unique role in all aforementioned themes. Therefore, research and training in use of Geospatial Technology (GST) in water sector is needed for each theme at different levels of water administration and water utilisation. The current paper discusses the existing framework and content of capacity building in water sector and geospatial technology in use at various government organizations and institutes. The major gap areas and future capacity building requirements are also highlighted, along with duration and timelines of training/capacity building programs. The use of distance learning/educations tools, social media, and e-learning are also highlighted in promoting use of GST in water sector. The emerging technological trends such as, new remote sensing sensors for measuring water cycle components, ground sensors based field instruments, cloud based data integration and computational models, webGIS based water information portals and training needs of new technologies are also emphasised.</p>

Role of Geospatial Technology in Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Modeling-With Focus on Floods Studies

“…Similarly, highly urbanized catchments are affected by waterlogging and short-duration floods caused by high-intensity rainfall and inadequate drainage system. This necessity requires different types of geospatial data and hydrological models (Thakur et al 2018).…”

“…26.1). Therefore, RS, GIS, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) play an important role in providing base data and suitable platforms for creating, analyzing, and modeling such geospatial data and hydrological variables for a given catchment (Sharma and Thakur 2007;Arya et al 2010;Kushwaha et al 2010;Pandey et al 2011;Thakur et al 2013Thakur et al , 2018.…”

Importance of Incorporation of Geospatial Technology Applications in Water Resources at Graduate and Post-Graduate Courses of Civil Engineering

“…There are dedicated institutes and departments funded by Indian Space Research Organisation to spread the potential of geospatial technology in water resources. Further details on such trainings can be found at Thakur et al, (2018). 7.…”

Satellite‐Based Drought Reporting on the Navajo Nation

“…Barriers to the use of these data for decision making include large computational requirements, limited technical knowledge, numerous complex tools and data portals, lack of time and resources, minimal training and capacity building, and limited availability of operational products (Thakur et al. 2018; Prados et al. 2019).…”