51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Project summary

The overarching aim of the research is to improve mapping and quantification of dominant interactions and feedbacks between human activities and the hydro-meteorological system of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). This project will provide information for improved decision-making on water allocation for agriculture, drinking water, ecosystems and other needs. Specifically, CHANSE project will: (i) estimate surface and groundwater availability under current and future short-term weather predictions and anthropogenic activities within the IGP using a fully coupled, land surface-groundwater modelling setup; (ii) investigate the propagation, in space and time, of interactions of water uses and needs within the natural system by integrating novel consumer and ecological flow demand modules; (iii) provide regional predictions of decadal, seasonal and sub-seasonal monsoon rainfall and flood forecasting for the IGP to inform development of alternative water management strategies; (iv) translate the improved understanding of human and natural systems into IGP's water management planning for water, food and ecological security. The project will use the River Gandak sub-basin, which has been impacted by these issues, as a case-study catchment for process-understanding. Water management strategies and feedbacks of water allocation to local climate will be analysed at the IGP basin level.

Lead Investigators

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Dr Subimal Ghosh, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Co-Investigators

Prof Slobodan Djordjevic, University of Exeter
Dr Chris Jackson, British Geological Survey
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Prof Pradeep Mujumdar, IISc Bangalore
Dr Roxy Mathew Koll, IITM Pune
Dr Jagdish Krishnaswamy, ATREE
Prof Sunil Kumar Choudhary, University of Bihar

Also from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Alyssa Gilbert, Grantham Institute for Climate Change

Funders

UK NERC & Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences
Newton-Bhabha Fund: Sustaining Water Resources for Food, Energy & Ecosystem Services in India programme

Twitter @ChanseIGP