Pune, 24 Sept : Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni, a Pune-based scientist, has become the first person from the Indian subcontinent to receive the prestigious International Water Prize, awarded biennially since 2009 by the WaTER Center at the University of Oklahoma, USA. The honour is dedicated to outstanding contributions in the field of water supply and sanitation across developing regions.

Although his name was announced as the 2024 awardee, Kulkarni was formally presented with the prize at a ceremony held on September 15. The award carries a cash prize of USD 25,000 and a trophy.

A Career Dedicated to Groundwater

Kulkarni served as co-chair of a Planning Commission Working Group during India’s 12th Five-Year Plan, where he played a key role in shaping the National Aquifer Mapping Program. He is the Founder Trustee and Secretary of ACWADAM (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management), Pune.

Currently, he is a Professor of Practice in Rural Management at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, and also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies, IIT Bombay, as well as at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

“A Recognition of Community Partnerships”

Reflecting on the award, Kulkarni said:

“This recognition reflects the many partnerships and collaborations that ACWADAM has built through our work on aquifer-based groundwater management. Managing groundwater as a common pool resource through community participation is the key to addressing India’s groundwater crisis.”

About the Prize

The OU International Water Prize honours individuals who have made significant global contributions in water research, teaching, or service, with a special focus on improving water and sanitation for the poorest communities in developing nations.