JNTU to debate climate impact

Hyderabad, Feb. 1: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad will organise a three-day international conference on climate change and its impact on water, food and environment in the city from Wednesday. About 300 delegates from various universities are expected to attend.

The university will present research papers on impact of climate change on the Himayatsagar and Osmansagar lakes. There will also be a discussion on the Kurnool flood. The conclusions will be sent to the government.

“There will be about 18 technical sessions. Our earlier recommendations were taken into consideration in formulating the 2002 national water policy. This time we are presenting research papers on the lakes and rivers in AP. We have observed a fall in water levels in lakes and rivers due to climate change and it is affecting availability of water. We will discuss the use of technology and watershed management,’’ said Prof. B. Venkateswara Rao, JNTU.

Other topics lined up for discussions are groundwater exploration and exploitation, legislation on water use, urban hydrology, river basin management and sea water intrusion.