News & Views

I. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES



World Lake Conference – 2007

Jaipur- Rjasthan

(28th October to 2nd November 2007)

Greetings from Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists (IAAB), Hyderabad. WLC is a biannual event that reviews issues associated with conservation and sustainable management of lake ecosystems all over the world. It is promoted by International Lake Environent Committee (ILEC) Foundation, Japan. 12th edition of this global event is proposed to be held at Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. In the closing session of 11th WLC-2005 in Nairobi, a delegation of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), the chief sponsor of WLC-2007, extended the invitation of 12th WLC in India.

For further information please visit WLC-2007 website (www.taal2007.org) or write to :

Conference Secretariat, National Institute of Ecology (NIE),

125 (First Floor), Main Road, Katwaria Sarai,

New Delhi – 110006, India.

Email : info@taal2007.org

VIIth International Conference on

Toxic Cyanobacteria

(5 – 10th August 2007)

Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (South America)

A forum for exchanging information and to stimulate productive discusions for the development of new ideas, new research and scientific collaboration on Toxic Cyanobacterial issues.

Topics : Cyanobacterial

1. Physiology

2. Ecology,

3. Molecular biology,

4. Toxicology

5. Resk assessment

6. Management and

7. Detection methods for cyanotoxins

For further information : www.biof.ufrj.br/cyano E-mail : ictc@biof.ufrj.br

International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology (SIL),

30th SIL Congress

12 – 18th August 2007

Montreal, Canada

Redefining theoretical and applied limnology for the 21st Centaury

E-mail : sil2007@jpdl.com

Website : www.sil2007.org

Dead line for reduced registration : 30th March 2007

4th International Limnological Congress

(ILIC2007)

11-14th July 2007

Barcelona, Spain

Tales of an evolving earth. Lake basins and their tectonic environments, limnology and management of natural heritage and monitoring lake systems as natural laboratories.

Website : www.ilic2007.com/topics.htm

5th International Water History Association (IWHA) Conference

Past and futures of water

13 – 17th June 2007

Tempere, Finland

Closing date : 15th October 2007

Website : www.envhist.org or htpp://www,envhist.org/iwha2007_cfp.pdf

II. NEWS

WORLD LAKE VISION (WLV)

The key to sustainable use of lakes lies in finding a balance between the water needs of humanity, and the ability of nature to meet them without harming ecological integrity of the latter. To support global actions and efforts to achieve sustainable management of lakes, ILEC in collaboration with other International organizations like UNEP, has published the World Lake Vision – A call to action. After analyzing status of world lakes WLV has proposed seven fundamental principles to guide the process of conservation and management of lake ecosystems all over the globe. Following are the principles :

1. A harmonious relationship between humans and nature is essential for the sustainable use of lakes.

2. A lake drainage basin is the logical starting point for planning and management actions for sustainable lake use.

3. A long-term, preventative approach directed to preventing the causes of lake degradation is essential.

4. Policy development and decision making for lake management should be based on sound science and the best available information.

5. The management of lakes for their sustainable use requires the resolution of conflicts among competing users of lake resources, taking into account the needs of present and future generations and of nature.

6. Citizens and other stakeholders should be encouraged to participate meaningfully in identifying and resolving critical lake problems.

7. Good governance, based on fairness, transparency and empowerment of all stakeholders, is essential for sustainable lake use.

For a copy of WLV write to : info@ilec.or.jp or visit the website : htpp://www.ilec.or.jp

Lakes and Reservoirs

Lakes and wetlands have inestimable value and are important and often easily available water resources. Lakes supply drinking water, hydropower, food, irrigation and recreation, yet they are threatened by pollution and excessive water withdrawal. Wetlands are cradles of vital biological diversity and provide the water and primary productivity upon which numerous species of plants and animals depend for survival. But they are threatened by drainage for use in agriculture and other purposes. Preservation of lakes and wetlands is a life necessity for people in many regions of the world, given their cultural, ecological and socio-economic value.

Visit : International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) Foundation,

1091, Oroshimo, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-0001, Japan website : htpp://www.ilec.or.jp

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PROF. ASIT K. BISWAS

RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE FOR 2006

Stockholm water prize, an equivalent of Noble prize in water sector, is one of the most prestigious awards given every year to an out standing personality that has an unique contribution to our understanding of water as a natural resource, its use and misuse, its quality, quantity and sustainability. The proud recipient of 2006 water prize is an Indian born Canadian citizen, Prof. Asit K. Sen. After Dr. M.A.Chtale, and Ms. Suneeta Narayan of Center for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, Prof. Sen is the third recipient of this award from India and every Indian will proud of it. Earlier Indians including Late Dr. Anil Agarwal, Former Director of CSE have contributed immensely in the formulation of global water philosophy of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

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For challenging the global status quo on water,


INDIAN-BORN CANADIAN IN MEXICO WINS 2006 STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE

Stockholm, March 22, 2006 – Professor Asit K. Biswas, a tireless water proponent who constantly challenges the “status quo“ and who helped foster a critical re-think among United Nations agencies, national governments, professional associations and others about how to improve delivery of water and sanitation services and management of our water resources, was today named the 2006 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. (Photos and more information below and at www.siwi.org.)

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