International Conference on Rivers Concludes with a Global Focus
on Sustainable River Governance Chennai, October 19, 2024: The
International Conference on Rivers, hosted by Vinayaka Mission’s
Law School (VMLS) under the aegis of Vinayaka Mission's Research
Foundation (Deemed-to-be-University), concluded successfully on
October 19, 2024, after two days of insightful discussions on
river governance and environmental sustainability. The event drew
international experts, legal scholars, and policymakers to address
the socio-legal challenges surrounding rivers.
The conference featured prominent speakers such as Dr. Tiina
Paloniitty from the University of Helsinki, who discussed legal
frameworks for sustainable river governance, Prof. S.M. Ramasamy
from Bharathidasan University, who provided insights into the
environmental and geological aspects of river systems, and Mr.
Eklavya Prasad, Managing Trustee of Megh Pyne Abhiyan, who
highlighted the role of community-led water management. Together,
their diverse perspectives underscored the need for
interdisciplinary approaches, integrating legal, environmental,
and community-based solutions to effectively address the complex
challenges of river governance.
The event explored themes like transboundary river governance,
environmental justice, and legal frameworks for pollution control
on Day 1. Day 2 focused on regional river conflicts and included a
panel discussion on Floods and Ecosystems: Sustainable Strategies
for Integrated Management, offering solutions to key environmental
challenges like the Cauvery River dispute. The Conference received
over 100 abstracts, with 40 papers presented on diverse topics
related to river governance and sustainability.
Hon'ble Chancellor Dr. A.S. Ganesan praised the event, stating,
“The International Conference on Rivers 2024 highlights our
institution's commitment to addressing global environmental
challenges through interdisciplinary dialogue. We are grateful to
our partners and participants for their invaluable contributions,
and we look forward to future collaborations to advance legal
education and sustainable river governance.” The conference
concluded with the presentation of the conference report and
awards for outstanding research papers. The event underscored the
importance of collaborative efforts and integrating indigenous
perspectives into river management policies.
