As a part of the webinar series on “Perspectives in Development”, KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) organized a talk for the students of MBA (RM) and PGDCD on 26th March 2021.
The speaker Ms. Vaishalee Khadilkar, Vice-president, Dilasa Janvikas Pratishthan highlighted the present situation of depleting natural resources, especially degraded land and depleting ground water levels, which are going to pose serious threats to global food security. She explained the significance of watershed, especially focusing on managing water resources. Ms. Vaishalee explained the different methodologies of handling water issues like micro planning for water, mobilizing community, discussion of possible options with the community, preparation of fact sheets and creating pilots in the village that can be replicable. She also shared about the various structural measures undertaken in watershed, the importance of community engagement and innovation in addressing the ever growing issues of water.
Ms. Vaishalee Khadilkar holds B.E. and M.E in Water Resource Engineering. She is a prominent figure in the watershed arena with more than 23 years of outstanding experience in the field. Among her many accolades, she is the recipient of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Life Time Achievement National Award for remarkable contribution in the field of teaching, research and publications in watershed sector, National Award for Innovations in Watershed Structures by Ministry of Agriculture, Best Engineer Award for remarkable contribution in the field of water sector in India by UNESCO and Lingrajdas Memorial Trophy for remarkable contribution in field of water supply and sanitation through community participation by Indian Water Works Association.