Arsenic In Environment: Scientists From 50 Nations Attend International Congress At KIIT

Bhubaneswar: Over 100 international delegates and 300 participants, including scientists from 50 countries, have assembled here for the 9th International Congress & Exhibition on Arsenic in the Environment which was inaugurated at KIIT-DU on Monday.

Chief guest Prof. John Cherry, Professor Emeritus of Hydrogeology at Canada’s University of Waterloo, highlighted the complexities of groundwater management.

“Groundwater is one of the most complicated elements of our environment, and the arsenic crisis results from humanity’s own failures,” he observed, urging vigilance and innovation to address the

challenges.

Hailing KIIT-DU as a role model for the world and its high rank despite being relatively new, Prof. Cherry said it’s a very well-organised conference with many different scientific specialties.

Prof. Abhijit Mukherjee, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee from IIT Kharagpur, stressed on the importance of water in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Water is the central pillar of all SDGs, and by 2030, we aim to accomplish these targets,” he stated.

Organising Chair of the event Prof. Prosun Bhattacharya from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, underscored the conference’s global scope.

“This platform allows us to address an urgent environmental challenge and exchange diverse ideas,” he said, adding that delegates from Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands and India are actively participating.

KIIT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh said that the congress is particularly relevant given the emerging challenges of water contamination.

Prof. Dipankar Saha, former member of the Central Ground Water Board, highlighted India’s position as the largest extractor of groundwater, with 250 cubic kilometres extracted annually. He warned that groundwater contamination and depletion remain serious concerns for the country.

The International Society of Groundwater for Sustainable Development (ISGSD) conferred Honorary Lifetime Membership upon KIIT and KISS founder Prof. Achyuta Samanta, recognising his contributions to education and environmental sustainability.

KIIT was honoured with the Green Campus Award 2024 for its outstanding green initiatives.

Prof. Samanta highlighted the relevance of the congress. “Water contamination is a serious issue, and pollution levels are high, yet India continues to progress. However, the burden on future generations will be immense,” he said.

During the event, the Centre for Water Research and Climate Change at KIIT was inaugurated.

KIIT Registrar Prof. J R Mohanty, said the centre aligns with KIIT’s dedication to tackling issues related to water scarcity and climate change through academic excellence, practical applications, and collaborations with policymakers and industry.