The World Water Week from 26th - 31st 2018 event concluded yesterday. As like every year, it was organized by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). It highlighted water as a critical resource. It emphasized nature based solutions as way forward towards resolving water issues. This year the theme was – “Water, Ecosystems and Human Development”. Be it with regard to water shortage, water quality, water issues in extreme weather events - floods, water has been the most pressing issue and challenging resource that needs to be addressed. Healthy ecosystems allow plant and animal life to thrive and strive and offer multitude of benefits for human development and all these work together as microcosm in itself and for developing synergy, work in co-operation during trans-boundary conflicts with regard to water, water governance strengthening, and equitable access to clean water.

1. World Water Week 26th -31st August, 2018
Dr. Prachi Ugle Pimpalkhute
The World Water Week from 26th - 31st 2018 event concluded yesterday. As like every year,
it was organized by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). It highlighted water as
a critical resource. It emphasized nature based solutions as way forward towards resolving
water issues. This year the theme was – “Water, Ecosystems and Human Development”.
Be it with regard to water shortage, water quality, water issues in extreme weather events -
floods, water has been the most pressing issue and challenging resource that needs to be
addressed. Healthy ecosystems allow plant and animal life to thrive and strive and offer
multitude of benefits for human development and all these work together as microcosm in
itself and for developing synergy, work in co-operation during trans-boundary conflicts
with regard to water, water governance strengthening, and equitable access to clean water.
Respecting and valuing water as a resource and not as a commodity, clean water and
sanitation, water allocation to be sustainable, water partnership, water conflicts and
cooperation, water resilience, capacity building and awareness are the key focus centric
attributes for which work progress is being done and framework, policy initiatives are
being taken by varied organizations, business entities and government.
According to SIWI’s Executive Director Torgny Holmgren, water is every body’s business.
As per the press release dated 31st August, 2018 by SIWI, he mentioned focus to be on
nature based solutions and how they can be combined with conventional practices to help
resolve water issues. He said the message is clear – to have a combination of green and grey
approaches and participation of youth /younger generation on a mission to take a lead
globally on the resource challenges. The World Water Week according to SIWI was
attended by more than 3,600 participants from 133 countries with about 300 sessions.
They mentioned it had diverse participation from different sectors and countries,
participants were more firm in voicing their key concerns. It also had IKEA Industry
Viktoria Granström, Water Initiative Leader sharing examples of their corporate water
strategies. Young Water Solutions lead Antonella Vagliente stressed how young people
from indigenous backgrounds are turning traditional knowledge into new businesses.
GRI 303: Water and Effluents reporting standard too have come up with revised reporting.
Earlier this year and last year one and two call initiative for public feedback was given by
GRI with draft report open for public review and comments, it provides a comprehensive
and concise framework for collecting and communicating information about an
organization’s water use, the associated impacts, and how it addresses them.
Eco Endeavourers Network
Striving for the planet in peril
Water – The future Asset, Let’s use it sensibly

2. Eco Endeavourers Network wishes to leverage this opportunity and through this blog post
aims to share how perceiving the blue, green and grey space in city infrastructure helps in
unlocking the blocks. Earlier too through our newsletter the perceived value of blue, green
and grey space was highlighted by us. In the quest towards infrastructure development,
cities over a period of time have been transitioning from being sustainable cities to
progressing towards being smart cities. Which critical attribute do we perceive blue, green
or grey space? And are these attributes equally weighted while planning and development?
Do we perceive it as integrated planning for multifunctional land use? Some of the
perceived benefits of Blue, Green and Grey urban spaces include:
 Nature and biodiversity
 Water retention
 Water quality & quantity improvement
 Health and well-being
 Green spots
 Climate adaptation
 Increased connectivity
 Ecosystem services
 High energy efficiency devices and retrofits
 Urban flood risk management
How do we perceive?
We perceive all the three attributes as different components and each attribute gets
weightage based upon requirement. However each of the attribute is interdependent upon
one another to fulfill the goal of being livable, clean, healthy and safe cities.
Unlocking the Blocks – Challenges
 Grey infrastructure has asset life and value and return on investment (ROI), however the
challenge is never ending demand of the requirement, maintenance and
urbanization.
 Blue infrastructure includes equal weightage to planned maintenance, efficient water
supply and treatment system.
 Green Infrastructure - strategically planned tree plantation, reviving and restoring the
urban greens, greener building codes and standards—challenge is risk management,
effectiveness and decision making.
Since this year theme is ‘Water, ecosystems and human development’ the focus should be
more on water governance, water and sanitation from the view point of human
development. A healthy mind and body contributes to the country’s economy via
productive work, so quality and quantity of water play a key role in human development.
Water stewardship across diverse sectors, communities, societies and individuals would
help build water resilience, water co-operation and it being a shared resource and to be
allocated equitably.

3. About Us:
Eco Endeavourers Network is a thought leadership platform to create awareness, carry out
research, and disseminate knowledge & capacity building on Environment, Sustainability,
Climate Change and Energy. We aspire to promote environmental friendly and sustainable
policies to varied stakeholders.
To begin with we are a team of two, with few members and volunteers joining in and hope
to strive and leverage the opportunity of developing thought and knowledge partnerships
within and beyond borders for a united cause of serving the mother earth and striving to
promulgate environmental stewardship.
Our Motto and Our Mission:
Striving for the planet in peril
Our Current Focus:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs
Our Team:
Dr. Prachi Ugle Pimpalkhute,
Founder, Eco Endeavourers Network
Sachin Pimpalkhute,
Co-Founder, Eco Endeavourers Network
Website : www.ecoendeavourers.org
Email : strive@ecoendeavourers.org
Mobile : +91-9819098068
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