Lecture on Urban River Management in India for Students of the Wisconsin School of Business

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Government of India

Lecture on Urban River Management in India for Students of the Wisconsin School of Business

January 8, 2026

About the Event

A lecture on Urban River Management in India: Transitioning to a Holistic Approach was organised at NIUA on 8 January 2026. The session was delivered by Mr. Sarang Barbarwar, Senior Programme Associate, River Cities Alliance (RCA), who shared key initiatives and learnings from the Water and Environment Vertical at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) with students from the Wisconsin School of Business, USA.

The interaction explored the evolution of urban water management in India from a predominantly supply-side and source-augmentation approach towards a more integrated framework focused on demand management, optimisation, and systems thinking. Participants were introduced to flagship initiatives such as the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework, which provides cities with a strategic approach to managing urban rivers, and the River Cities Alliance, a collaborative platform that promotes peer learning and knowledge exchange among river cities. The session also highlighted the Shallow Aquifer Management Programme, underscoring the increasing importance of urban groundwater governance and sustainable water resource management.

The discussion provided valuable international perspectives on urban water challenges and opportunities, while emphasising the interconnected economic, institutional, and ecological dimensions of water management. The session was further enriched by the participation of Mr. Sachin Tuli, Distinguished Director of International Business and Global Partnerships, Wisconsin School of Business, and Prof. Monika Vij, Distinguished Professor, Miranda House, New Delhi, who engaged in insightful discussions with the student cohort and NIUA team.