Water and Air Quality Workshop for Residents and Communities: A Foundation Course July 2024 Batch
A 5‑day course to learn more about water and air quality
Water and air pollution are significant environmental challenges in India. Pollutants from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources are contaminating many water bodies, posing serious health risks to the population. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the population lacks access to clean drinking water, leading to waterborne illnesses.
Moreover, over-extraction of groundwater has caused water levels and quality to decline in many regions. Air quality in many Indian cities is often hazardous, particularly during post-harvest and winter months due to stubble burning and temperature inversions. High levels of air pollutants, such as PM2.5 and PM10, have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among the population. Despite efforts to monitor and control pollution, it remains a significant challenge for the community that requires immediate action.
Clean water and air are essential for community health and well-being. This workshop is customised to build knowledge and inform practice related to implementing micro-actions at the community scale to spread awareness on pollution-related issues. This workshop is designed to sensitise motivated residents and local community leaders towards a holistic approach to cleaner water and air quality; to help communities become competent, advocate for effective policies, promote good regulatory practices and enhance their knowledge; and build their capacity to spread awareness for pollution reduction.
This training programme will include hands-on sessions with field-based kits, resource material, lecture presentations, audio-visuals, and case studies through interaction with local communities. Classroom sessions knowledge imparting will be combined with detailed discussions, questions and answers, and experience-sharing sessions. Reading material and reference documents will also be shared for an in-depth understanding of the issues.
Members of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), local leaders, civil society representatives, community members
- The participants will understand the water and air quality issues prevalent in their local areas.
- This workshop will equip participants with knowledge, tools, and strategies to improve the quality of air and water.
- The participants after the workshop will also get field-based kits/information booklets to identify issues of pollution and their management at the micro level.
All interested participants need to fill out the application form. All participants are required to submit a short description of their specific motivation to join the certificate programme.
The last date for application is 15 May 2024
Day 1
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Introduction and Fundamentals:
Welcome and Icebreaker Introduction of participants, set expectations, establish a positive learning environment.
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Basics of Water Quality:
Understand key concepts: water parameters, pollutants, and their impact.
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Basics of Air Quality:
Understand key concepts, Pollutants, sources, and health impacts.
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Group Discussion:
Overview of key concepts learned and followed by a doubt-clearing session.
Day 2
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Hands-on session of Field-based water test kits:
Learn about common water quality tests (pH, TDS, Coliform)
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Water Quality Standards and Regulations:
Explore local and international guidelines.
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Air Quality Monitoring Techniques:
Learn Air Quality Index (AQI), Online data assessment and interpretation.
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Air Quality Regulations and Standards:
Explore local and international guidelines.
Day 3
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Hands-on session of Field-based water test kits:
Learn about common water quality tests (Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Free chlorine).
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Overview of Biological Indicators:
Study aquatic organisms as indicators of water health.
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Criteria Air Pollutants:
PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, CO and Pb
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Health Risks and Vulnerable Populations:
Discuss the impact of poor air quality on health.
Day 4 – Day 7 (15 July 2024 – 18 July 2024)
Self-guided Field Project at Different Localities
Understanding the Air quality based on local atmospheric conditions (Take a note of AQI, temperature, visibility (through pictures), winds and surrounding emission sources).
Day 8
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Pollution: Sources and Mitigation:
Identify pollution origins (Industrial, agricultural, urban, and rural).
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Best Management Practices:
Discuss strategies to prevent and reduce water pollution.
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Air pollution sources:
Biomass burning, Vehicular, Industrial, and Unorganised burning.
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Mitigation Strategies:
Discuss measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Day 9
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Group Project/Case Study:
Participants work on a mini water quality assessment project, Analyse real-world air pollution incidents and their solutions. Participants work on a water/air quality awareness campaign.
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Advocacy and Policy:
Understand how community action can drive policy changes. Create community-specific strategies for water/air quality improvement.
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Workshop Reflection and Certificates:
Share insights, and distribute water test kits and certificates of participation.
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Closing Ceremony:
Celebrate achievements, and express gratitude.
Timelines
Last date to apply
Announcement of results
Last day for the fee payment
Note: The decision of the evaluation committee will be final.
Facilitators
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Mohmmad Irshad Rather
Irshad is a limnologist cum environmentalist with a Master’s and PhD degree in Environmental science from the University of Kashmir, India. He was the recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship from the University Grants Commission (UGC) during his research programme. Irshad has previously worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science at…
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Manisha Mishra
Manisha specialises in atmospheric chemistry. She completed her Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. She worked on the abundance, phase partitioning, scavenging processes, and source identification of atmospheric aerosols and trace gases in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region as part of her PhD in Environmental Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University…
Fee Structure
| INR 2360 | For individuals |
|---|---|
| INR 1180 | For partner organisations of Azim Premji Foundation |
Accommodation
The course fee does not include accommodation. The university can arrange accommodation for those who need it, on campus,
For non-shared rooms – INR 826/- per day
For shared rooms – INR 413/- per day
Requests for accommodation must be made at the time of application. Alternatively, participants can make their own arrangements.
Travel and Food
All other costs, such as travel to and from Bangalore, local travel, stay and meals must be borne by participants.
All rates are inclusive of GST and relevant taxes.
The last date of fee payment is 15 June 2024.