UNESCO and NIUA launch a tool for effective management of urban water bodies

On 8 April, UNESCO New Delhi and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), launched a manual on ‘Urban Water Body Diagnostic Tool’, at the NIUA office in New Delhi. 
 
Jointly launched by Eric Falt, Director, UNESCO New Delhi; Hitesh Vaidya, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs; and Mr. Asok Kumar, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Government of India, the tool is an assessment instrument for effective management of urban water bodies.

[i"Rejuvenation of water bodies is a top national priority. I am optimistic that all 4,000+ Indian cities will find this Tool useful for developing informed strategies for effective management of water bodies"[/i] - Hitesh Vaidya, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs

The purpose of the manual is to provide city administrators with a decision support system for identifying and prioritizing actions for the rehabilitation and rejuvenation of water bodies within the urban environments.  It has been designed to diagnose the status quo of the urban water bodies, based on 10 physical, chemical, biological, and management indicators.  These indicators, collectively, culminate into a quantifiable value providing a rapid assessment of the concerned wetland, in order to identify immediate actions for the management.
 
UNESCO, through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme supports Member States in their efforts to achieve water security, particularly with regard to governance, the management and development of knowledge and skills.
 
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is India’s leading national think tank on urban planning and development. It was appointed as an apex body to support and guide the Government of India in its urban development plans and work closely with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, alongside other government and civil sectors.