Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, a Pune-based scientist, became the first person from the Indian subcontinent to receive the prestigious International Water Prize. The biennial award, instituted in 2009 by the WaTER Center at the University of Oklahoma, USA, honours outstanding contributions in the field of water supply and sanitation across emerging regions of the world.
Leadership in Groundwater Management
Dr. Kulkarni is the Founder Trustee and Secretary of ACWADAM (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management), Pune. Alongside his leadership role at ACWADAM, he serves as a Professor of Practice in Rural Management at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence (Deemed to be University) and as a Visiting Professor at both the Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies at IIT Bombay and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s groundwater management strategies. Notably, he co-chaired a Working Group under the 12th Five-Year Plan of NITI Aayog. He also contributed to drafting the National Aquifer Mapping Program.
A Philosophy of Community Partnerships
Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni emphasized the collaborative nature of his work. “This award is a reflection of the many partnerships and collaborations that ACWADAM was able to catalyse through our work on aquifer-based groundwater management using the concept of community partnerships,” he said. He stressed that managing and governing groundwater as a common pool resource remains central to resolving India’s deepening groundwater crisis.
About the International Water Prize
As reported by phoenixindiablooms.com, the International Water Prize recognizes individuals for their significant global contributions. These contributions may be in research, teaching, or service activities. The award especially honors efforts in water supply and sanitation for the poorest communities in developing countries. The award includes a trophy and a cash prize of $25,000. It symbolizes both recognition and encouragement for continued efforts in sustainable water management.
