Himalayan Freshwaters: Services and Vulnerability of Freshwater Ecosystems in the Himalayas
Event
Side Event
Himalayan Freshwaters: Services and Vulnerability of Freshwater Ecosystems in the Himalayas
About Event:
Wednesday, October 08, 2025 (17:30-19:00) Timing (IST)
The Himalayas, often referred to as the "Water Tower of Asia," sustain major river systems that support the livelihoods of millions downstream. These systems offer vital freshwater ecosystem services (FES), including clean water supply, irrigation support, biodiversity habitat, and cultural values. However, their sustainability is increasingly jeopardized by climate-induced extremes, monsoon variability, and intensifying human pressures.
This session is organized around the dissemination and discussion of findings from the REFRESH project—REgional cooperation for FReshwater Ecosystem Services in Himalayas—an APN-funded initiative led by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, with collaborators in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The project investigates how monsoon variability and compound climate extremes affect the availability and resilience of FES in four Himalayan catchments across the three countries.
Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Key themes of the session will include:
Mapping and valuation of freshwater ecosystem services in Himalayan basins
Quantifying the impact of monsoon variability and compound hydroclimatic extremes
Transboundary approaches for data sharing and regional cooperation
Participatory tools and stakeholder engagement in ecosystem management
Policy relevance and recommendations for enhancing ecosystem resilience
The session will feature presentations by researchers from the REFRESH team, followed by a moderated discussion with stakeholders and practitioners. It aims to foster dialogue on how scientific understanding can translate into regional cooperation and policy action for safeguarding Himalayan freshwater systems.
Prerequisites:
Background in hydrology, environmental science, ecosystem services, or climate impact assessment
Interest in transboundary water governance and Himalayan ecology
Focus Group:
Academics and researchers in hydrology, ecology, and environmental policy
Government and non-governmental agencies engaged in Himalayan water and biodiversity management
Stakeholders from regional planning bodies, basin authorities, and civil society organizations
Graduate students and early-career researchers interested in Himalayan sustainability
Expert Names with Full Details:
The session will be led by members of the REFRESH Project Team, including:
Prof. Sumit Sen, Professor, Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, sumit.sen@hy.iitr.ac.in
Dr. Vishal Singh, Scientist D, Water Resources Systems Division, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, vishal18.nihr@gov.in
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, ashutosh.sharma@hy.iitr.ac.in
Prof. Vivek Gupta, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, vivekgupta@iitmandi.ac.in
Prof. Priyank J. Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, priyanksharma@iiti.ac.in
Prof. Shivam Gupta, Assistant Professor, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, shivamiitg@gmail.com
Guidelines:
Participants are encouraged to read the REFRESH project summary
Select participants may be invited to join a policy roundtable or contribute to a regional FES synthesis document.
Active participation during panel and Q&A segments is expected.
