India Water Portal in Kannada launched

India Water Portal, aimed at disseminating knowledge and offering solutions on water-related issues, which was launched in January now has a website in Kannada. A portal in a local language will help take the knowledge to the grassroots, it is felt.

The water portal grew out of the felt need for a single location pulling in all resources in the area of water. The portal is an effort being coordinated by Arghyam, a non-profit organisation that works in the area of water. It seeks to support strategic and sustainable efforts in the water sector that address basic water needs of all.

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) "has been a strong supporter of the creation of the water portal," said Rohini Nilekani, chairperson, Arghayam. The portal is set to be launched in other regional languages too.

The portal "helps build a forum that addresses water-related issues. It was built by involving practitioners and experts in the field of water conservation and water harvesting," Rohini Nilekani.

The portal aims to address equity and sustainability issues in the water sector.

"We are actively pursuing alternate outreach methods to ensure this knowledge reaches those on the ground who need it most. We believe the India Water Portal has the potential to catalyse change on a large scale by this sharing of knowledge leading to improved practices and informed debates," said Sunita Nadhamuni, CEO, Arghyam.