Dr Arvind Kumar is a renowned water activist and environmentalist, having provided new impetus to the water & environment movements in India by disseminating knowledge on water and environment -related issues with specific emphasis on Right to Water, Water Rights for Socially Excluded, Inter-Sectoral Convergence in Water Sector and Regional Water Diplomacy, interlinkages between water, environment and sustainable development goals (SDGs) etc. In the wake of adoption of SDGs and conclusion of Paris agreement on climate change in 2015, he is pioneering the implimentation of these two momentous developments at the national level, with specific emphasis on SDGs-1,2,6,7 and 13. He is the President, India Water Foundation (Special Consultative Status with UN-ECOSOC), Observer Status Governing Body of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), a non-profit organization and think tank established for the purpose of generating a heightened public awareness at national level in India and sub-regional level in the Asia-Pacific region, regarding water and its impact on human health, economic growth and environmental sustainability. He is the Member Technical Advisory Committee for India’s Third National Communication and Biennial Update Reports to UNFCCC. Also member of the ‘National Wetlands Committee’ constituted under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Has been working specially in the North East region of the country in Meghalaya as the Member of Meghalaya State Water Resources Council, Member of the State Council for Climate Change and Sustainable Development headed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Meghalaya. He has played important role in promoting water-energy-food nexus approach, which is an integral part of Meghalaya government’s IBDLP program. In Sikkim cooperating with government in the field of water resources, Environment, Sustainable Development, recently launched “Sikkim Comprehensive Water Resources Plan” at Gangtok, Member Working Group on Water Resources Development, Management and Efficient utilization to seek inputs for development agenda for New India @75 under Chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member NITI Aayog, GOI. He is also member of the General Body of CAPART (Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology) which is under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India; Direct-member with ICID, Member of the World Water Council and Member with Global Compact Network India. He is also the member of Delhi State Water Mission, and part of the core group drafting the water policy of Government of Delhi. He holds PhD in Defense Studies and commands rich and varied administrative and managerial experience. He is a renowned political commentator, frequently contributing articles on contemporary political, socio-economic, environmental and defense related issues in prominent journals. He has published over 350 plus research articles in recent years on national and international issues in reputed journals. He is also the editor of online e-Magazine Focus Global Reporter published from New Delhi, India. He is the lead author of publication with SAC Dhaka titled “SAARC Outlook on Water-Energy-Food Nexus in SAARC Region” published in December 2015. He is the Governor at the World Water Council. He was conferred with the 40th Matri shree Media Awards on 26th April 2015 for his outstanding contribution as journalist and Triveni Award for his contribution in the field of Environment and water in May 2015. Is conferred with “Achievers Award” for his exemplary contribution and commitment for protecting environment by India Eye international human rights observer in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre for India & Bhutan on the occasion of celebration of World Environment Day June 5th, 2017 in New Delhi.
