NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS, INDIA (NAGI) 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on Changing Dimension of Water Resource : A Challenge Before Mankind 18-20 November, 2016 FIRST CIRCULAR Hosted by Department of Geography and Department of Environmental Science NALANDA OPEN UNIVERSITY Biscomaun Bhawan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna – 800001 Tel. No. : 0612-2201013, Fax No. : 0612-2201001 e-mail : [email protected], [email protected] Website : www.nalandaopenuniversity.com/www.nou.ac.in 1 | Page ORGANISING COMMITTEE Chief Patron Dr. R.B.P. Singh Vice Chancellor Nalanda Open University, Patna Patron Dr. R.P. Upadhyay Pro Vice Chancellor Nalanda Open University, Patna Convenor Dr. Kailash Mahto Co-ordinator School of Social Science (Geography) ORGANISING SECRETARIES Academic Administrative Dr. Md. Ataullah Dr. S.P. Sinha Co-ordinator Registrar (E) Environmental Science & Disaster Management NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. Dr. R.P. Mishra, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Allahabad, Allahabad. 2. Dr. B. Thakur, Former Vice Chancellor, L.N.M.U, Darbhanga. 3. Dr. R.B. Singh, Vice President, International Geographical Union (IGU). 4. Dr. P. S. Tiwari, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, University of Madras, Chennai. 5. Dr. H.S. Sharma, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. 6. Dr. Jagdish Singh, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur. 7. Dr. M.H. Qureshi, Former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2 | Page 8. Dr. V.K. Srivastava, President, National Association of Geographers, India. 9. Dr. N. Shivagyananam, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, University of Madras, Chennai. 10. Dr. H.N Mishra, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, University of Allahabad, Allahabad. 11. Dr. M.D. Nandeshwar, Former Director, CWRD& M, Kozhikode. LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. Dr. L.N. Ram, Former Vice Chancellor, Patna University, Patna. 2. Dr. Md. Ishtiyaque, Vice Chancellor, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar. 3. Dr. Arun Kumar Sinha, Dean, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Central University of South Bihar, Patna. 4. Dr. Sudeepta Adhikari, Former Professor of Geography, Patna University, Patna. 5. Dr. T. Prasad, Former Director, Centre for Water Resources Studies, Patna University, Patna. 6. Dr. S.N. Prasad, Former Professor of Geography, Patna University, Patna. 7. Dr. V.N.P. Sinha, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, Patna University, Patna. 8. Dr. Santosh Kumar, Former Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT), Patna. 9. Dr. Nandeshwar Sharma, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga. 10. Dr. Rana Pratap, Former Head, Dept. of Geography, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar. 11. Dr. K.N. Paswan, Head, Dept. of Geography, Patna University, Patna. 12. Dr. Bihari Singh, Principal, A.N. College, Patna. 3 | Page INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHANGING DIMENSION OF WATER RESOURCE : A CHALLENGE BEFORE MANKIND (ICCDWR) Water, which is a major formative factor of the physical and biological environment and which provides stages for domestic, agricultural, industrial and other economic activities, is an important natural resource. With the inception of technological innovation, it has become an important productive factor for many industries and a source of power. But deficiency of water results in crop failure and water in excess of the bankful capacity of stream results in flood causing widespread loss to life and property. Therefore, water has to be managed and planned for general prosperity. India's proverbial poverty amongst plenty is to a large extent related to results from the hydrometeorological conditions, inequitable spatial distribution, non-utilisation and ill-planned utilisation of water resources. Drought and flood are like twins in global agricultural economy in general and India in particular. Both situations severely affect the agricultural economy of the people. For solving the problems of flood and drought, water has to be sustainably managed. Another aspect is the provision of clean drinking water to the growing population particularly in urban areas. The 6th International Conference on “Changing Dimension of Water Resource : A Challenge Before Mankind” under the aegis of the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI) will inspire and provide platform for interdisciplinary approach to address the focal challenges of changing dimension of water resource. Keeping the focal theme in mind, the conference will focus its attention on the research activities carried out in following sub-themes giving more emphasis on prevailing situations in India : 1. Conceptual changes in Water Resources. 2. Global and Regional Pattern of the Distribution of Water Resource. 4 | Page 3. Importance of Water as a Source of Irrigation. 4. Large Dams vs Small Dams – Advantages and Disadvantages. 5. Water as a source of Energy. 6. Maritime and Fresh Water Reservoirs : Ecological Challenges. 7. Flood Ecology : Challenges Ahead. 8. Drought : Challenges Ahead. 9. Flood and Drought : Meteorological Legacy of India and Bihar in particular. 10. Emerging Global Conflicts Related to Water Resource. 11. Depleting Ground Water Reserves and their Impact on the surface Ecology. 12. Inter-State River Water Disputes and emerging strains over the Federal Structure of India. 13. Water Pollution and its Impact on Health Conditions. 14. River Water Pollution and Impact over River Basin System. 15. Lake Water Pollution and Impact over Aquatic Life System. 16. Coastal Water Pollution – Sources, Consequences and Suggestions for Remedial Measures. 17. Ground Water Pollution and Impact over Surface Ecology. 18. Rapid Decline in the Reserves of Fresh Water : Ecological Challenge to Life System. 19. Global Efforts to Conserve Water Resources. 20. Water Resource – its Constitutional, Legislative and Legal Status in India. 21. Traditional Means of Water Conservation and Utilisation in India. 22. Water Pollution Act of India : Success and Failure. 23. Any other topic related to Water Resources. The research papers could be of different spatial scales preferring case studies with reference to Bihar, India and South Asia. 5 | Page CALL FOR PAPERS Participants who intend to present their research papers need to submit abstract within 300 words with their registration form through the University websites www.nalandaopenuniversity.com/www.nou.ac.in. Abstract must provide information on the description of topic, objectives, study area, data and research methods and expected findings. Early submission of the abstract(s) / paper(s) will be highly appreciated. The abstract of the paper(s) submitted to the conference will be selected through peer reviewing process. The selected papers will be published as a special volume after the conference. Full paper submitted to the conference without the registration fee will not be considered for publication. Full paper in M.S Word format should be submitted through conference e-mail: [email protected]. The official language of the conference will be English. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Deadline for Abstract Submission : 15 October, 2016 Last Date for Early Bird Registration : 20 October, 2016 Acceptance Letters to Contributors : 25 October, 2016 Last Date for Submission of Full Paper : 05 November, 2016 Finalising the Schedule of Technical Session : 10 November, 2016 Conference Dates : 18, 19 & 20 November, 2016 REGISTRATION DETAILS 1. Registration Fee upto October 20, 2016 (General) ` 1500.00 2. Registration Fee upto November 10, 2016 (General) ` 1700.00 3. Registration Fee for Research Scholars upto Oct. 20, 2016 ` 1000.00 4. Registration Fee for Research Scholars upto Nov. 10, 2016 ` 1200.00 5. On spot Registration ` 2000.00 6. Senior Geographers (Over 65 Yrs. of age) ` 500.00 6 | Page Registration fee covers conference material and working lunches during the conference days. Accommodation for the participants will be arranged in the Guest House/Youth Hostel/Dormitory/Lodges. Transport will be provided from the place of stay to the venue of the conference Foreign delegates are exempted from registration fee. They will be provided local hospitality including transport and stay without any charge. They, however, have to manage travel expenses from origin University to Patna and return journey. Participants, willing to pay hotel charge may get direct booking in the hotel. The names of some important hotels located near the venue are as follows: 1. Hotel Maurya (www.maurya.com) Contact – 0612-3051111, 0612-2203040 e-mail – [email protected] 2. Hotel Samrat International (www.hotelsamrat.org) Contact – 0612-220560, 220561, 220562, 220563 e-mail – [email protected] 3. Hotel Windsor (www.hotelwindsorpatna.com) Contact – 0612-2203250-58 e-mail – [email protected] 4. Hotel Republic (www.republichotel.in) Contact – 9939471165, 9334117111, 9431089011 e-mail – [email protected] 5. Hotel The Panache (www.thepanachepatna.com) Contact – 0612-2221133, 2221166 e-mail – [email protected] 6. Hotel Gargee Grand (www.gargeegrand.com) Contact – 0612-2500535, 2500536, 2500537, 2500538 Mobile – 9771471000, 9771497906 e-mail – [email protected] CONFERENCE E-MAIL ID [email protected] 7 | Page NALANDA OPEN UNIVERSITY Nalanda Open University is the only University in the State of Bihar, which imparts education exclusively through the system of open and distance learning. To provide quality learning at a low cost to all sections of society particularly