Smart Lab for Clean Rivers

On 23rd August, 2024, India and Denmark partnered to establish a ‘smart laboratory on clean rivers’ (SLCR) in Varanasi, aiming to rejuvenate the Varuna River, a tributary of the Ganga, using sustainable methods within 2-3 years.

Key Points

Tripartite Collaboration: The SLCR is a joint initiative between the Government of India, IIT-BHU, and the Government of Denmark, combining expertise from both nations.
Initial Funding: The project will receive an initial funding of Rs 16.8 crore from India's Jal Shakti ministry, with an additional Rs 5 crore grant from Denmark.
Collaborative Platform: The SLCR aims to create a platform for government bodies, knowledge institutions, and local communities to develop solutions for clean river management.
Hybrid Lab Model:The initiative includes a hybrid lab at IIT-BHU and an on-field living lab at the Varuna River to test and scale sustainable solutions.
Decision Support System: A Decision Support System (DSS) will be developed to analyze basin water dynamics, integrating groundwater and hydrological models for comprehensive river management.
Real-time Monitoring and Data Visualization: The project will focus on real-time monitoring, data visualization tools, and scenario simulations to support river rejuvenation efforts.
Global Collaboration for River Health: The SLCR represents a unique partnership between academia, government, and international expertise, aimed at co-creating solutions for small river rejuvenation and overall river health.