EAW Delhi 2026

Background

The South Asia Rainwater Network (SARNET) was established to build an effective regional

network on rainwater harvesting and has emerged as a key platform for knowledge sharing,

advocacy, and collaboration across South Asia. SARNET serves as a repository of experience and

best practices and has a growing regional and international membership base. The EAW Global

Aqua Expo 2026 offered a strategic opportunity to present SARNET to a wider Indian and

international audience and position rainwater harvesting as a practical, investable water

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Objectives

The primary objectives for SARNET’s participation were to:

Promote SARNET by showcasing best practices from South Asia
Increase visibility for rainwater harvesting in India
Create opportunities for networking, fundraising, and collaboration with practitioners,

service providers, researchers, and development partners

SARNET Activities

Exhibition Presence

SARNET members from India and Bhutan participated in the exhibition in dedicated stall spaces

over three days from 6th to 8th August 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Members

showcased rainwater filtration systems, recharge technologies, and good practices from the

region, including Bhutan’s spring shed management experience.

Conference Session: “Turning Rain into Resilience”

On Day 2 (7th August), SARNET members hosted a half-day conference session on the theme

“Turning Rain into Resilience: Building South Asia’s Rainwater Future.” The 2.5-hour session

(2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) was jointly organised with the Delhi Jal Board and the Ministry of Jal

Shakti.Introductory Session:

Recorded introductory speeches by Han Heijnen, President of the International
Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA), and Dr. Tanuja Ariyananda, CEO of Lanka
Rainwater Harvesting Forum and Convenor of SARNET
Keynote speech by Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, Former Chief Secretary, Government of

Uttar Pradesh

Panel Discussion 1: Rainwater Harvesting Community Models

Ms. Karma Uden, Senior Programme Officer, Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
Mr. Salahuddin Saiphy, Principal Lead – Water, Sehgal Foundation (India)
Prof. Veeramurthy Murugan, CEO, National Agro Council
Moderated by Ms. Pradnya Thakur, WASH and sustainability expert, SARNET India coordinating lead

Panel Discussion 2: Innovations in Rainwater Harvesting

Mr. Vijayraj Shisodya, Co-founder and Director, Farmland Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Mr. Akash Varia, General Manager – Marketing, NeeRain Pvt Ltd
Mr. J. Chandrasekaran, Founder Director, Watsan Envirotech Pvt Ltd
Mr. Nilesh Mankar, Mechanical Engineer, Groundwater Survey and Development
Agency, Government of Maharashtra
Ms. Swati Bhatia, Deputy Programme Manager, Water Programme, Centre for Science and Environment
Moderated by Mr. Salahuddin Saiphy, Principal Lead – Water, Sehgal Foundation (India)

Key Participants

Senior Government Officials:

Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh
Shri Dal Bir Singh, Chief Engineer, Delhi Jal Board
Mr. Rajiv Singhal, Chief Engineer, Delhi Jal BoardSARNET Delegation:
Ms. Pradnya Thakur – WASH and Sustainability Expert, SARNET India Launch Lead
Mr. Salahuddin Saiphy – Principal Lead – Water, Sehgal Foundation
Mr. Vijayraj Shisodya – Co-founder and Director, Farmland Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Mr. Akash Varia – General Manager – Marketing, NeeRain Pvt Ltd
Mr. Nilesh Mankar – Mechanical Engineer, Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, Government of Maharashtra
Mr. J. Chandrasekaran – Founder Director, Watsan Envirotech Pvt Ltd
Dr. S.V. Murugan – Chief Operating Officer, National Agro Foundation
Ms. Karma Uden – Senior Programme Officer, Tarayana Foundation (Bhutan)
Ms. Swati Bhatia – Deputy Programme Manager, Water Programme, Centre for Science and Environment

Journalists visiting the SARNET stall featured news articles on websites: