KC Valley Project in India
A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Water Management
The KC Valley Project in India is an ambitious initiative aimed at alleviating water scarcity by connecting 134 lakes across arid districts. After facing initial opposition and legal hurdles, the project gained approval in 2018 and has since become operational, offering new hope for formerly drought-prone regions. Bengaluru North University (BNU) has undertaken a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the project's impact on the environment, economy, society and public health.
Through international collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in the UK facilitated by the British Council India, BNU is exploring how this water recycling initiative is affecting the people of Karnataka. This includes visits to farms benefitting from improved water supplies and inspections of lakes and canals that transport treated wastewater throughout the region.
In February 2024, a team from UHI, including Dr Mark Taggart and Dr Lydia Niemi from the Environmental Research Institute, along with Dr Lalith Welamedage from the Centre for Living Sustainability (CLS), visited the KC Valley project area. Their visit focussed on field research and consultations with BNU researchers, partner organisations, and local farmers who have benefitted from the project. A seminar and Q&A session at BNU's multi-disciplinary postgraduate centre was also conducted that highlighted UHI's expertise in environmental and social science research.
This collaboration signifies a strong research partnership between UHI and BNU, facilitating valuable knowledge exchange in the area of sustainable management of water resources. Ongoing discussions between the two institutions aim to explore further research opportunities for the KC Valley Project.
Researchers: Dr Mark Taggart and Dr Lydia Niemi from the Environmental Research Institute; and Dr Lalith Welamedage and Professor Vicky Johnson from CLS.
Funded by: British Council India
External links:
UHI News - UHI research trip to India support water recycling project
UHI Inverness News - Research trip to India supports water recycling project to relieve drought
