We are happy to inform you that we are hosting a symposium jointly organized by IIT Kharagpur and Columbia University, NYC, USA with a scope of including a wider participation of Premier academic institutions, Governmental and non-governmental organizations, Stake holders etc. entitled "International Symposium on Water Urbanism and Infrastructure Development in Eco-Sensitive Zones" (WIEZ2017) during January 6-7, 2017 at Kolkata, India. This symposium mainly focuses on Climate Change, Water Urbanism, Ecology & Biodiversity, Sustainable Transport, infrastructure Development. The Vision of this symposium is to bring out bring out the current status of ecosystem conservation, restoration and management including the hydrological, bio-physical and deliberate on need to build future cities towards achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals. The theme of International Symposium on Water Urbanism and Infrastructure Development in Eco-Sensitive Zones 2017 is wetlands and water resources that form a basic need of every human being and its conservation. WIEZ2017 conference provides a unique opportunity to bring in academicians of both the partner institutes along with premier research institutes across India. WIEZ2017 will help in better understanding of the role of water resources and wetlands in sustaining human livelihood with the challenges faced by these fragile ecosystems. The structural and functional changes in the ecosystem due to land use changes, is influencing the major nutrient cycles, which are evident in many regions with disappearance of water bodies leading to a serious water crisis. There is growing evidence that the bio-diversity will be severely threatened by rapid climate change. Conservation of natural resources and its original form through management in a sustainable way is the key to our secured future. In this direction symposium include(s) discussion on
Assessment of the present status and conservation aspects of water bodies and environmental parameters
Fostering participation of stakeholders to participate in the development of conservation activities through partnerships between conservation communities
Identifying significant natural, recreational, economic, cultural, scenic resources and ecosystem values
Discussion on research gaps and activities to be initiated by researchers to evolve appropriate strategies towards conservation of ecosystems and eco sensitive zones
Discussion of people’s livelihood and fundamental right towards equitable resource allocation
Identifying potential threats to ecosystem, natural resources and values
Recommending policies and action plan towards the conservation and sustainable management of ecologically sensitive regions towards Sunderbans
