India’s Water Champion: Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni Becomes First Indian Recipient of International Water Prize
On September 15, 2025, a proud moment unfolded in Boston, USA, when Pune-based scientist Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni was formally presented with the International Water Prize at the University of Oklahoma. Instituted in 2009, this biennial award honors outstanding contributions in the field of water supply and sanitation, with special focus on underprivileged regions across the world. While Dr. Kulkarni’s name was announced in 2024, the award ceremony in 2025 made it official he is the first individual from India and the wider subcontinent to win this globally respected honor. The award includes a trophy and a cash prize of USD 25,000, but more than that, it carries international recognition for his decades-long contribution to India’s water governance.Leading the Way in Groundwater SustainabilityFor over three decades, Dr. Kulkarni has been a leading voice in groundwater management a resource that sustains nearly 65% of India’s agriculture and 85% of its drinking water needs. He co-chaired a Working Group for NITI Aayog’s 12th Five-Year Plan, contributed to the National Aquifer Mapping Program, and pushed forward the idea of aquifer-based groundwater management a framework that treats groundwater as a shared community resource rather than private property. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Water beneath the ground belongs to everyone, and therefore, its management must be collective.”ACWADAM: Building Communities Around WaterAt the heart of his work lies ACWADAM (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management), a Pune-based organization he co-founded and continues to serve as Trustee and Secretary. ACWADAM has done community led water management projects, empowering villages and rural communities to monitor, manage, and protect their groundwater reserves. By involving local communities directly in aquifer mapping, water budgeting, and equitable sharing, ACWADAM has changed how water is viewed not just as a resource to be extracted, but as a lifeline to be preserved collectively. Dr. Kulkarni often emphasizes that partnerships, collaborations, and people’s participation are the only sustainable ways to address India’s deepening water crisis.Teaching and MentorshipAlongside his fieldwork, Dr. Kulkarni is deeply invested in teaching and mentoring future leaders in water governance. He is a Professor of Practice in Rural Management at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, and serves as Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Through these roles, he has inspired students, policymakers, and young researchers to adopt a scientific yet community-focused lens in tackling water issues. His academic contributions ensure that the next generation of leaders carries forward the torch of equitable water governance.India’s Voice on the Global StageDr. Kulkarni’s recognition is not just a personal milestone; it is also a moment of pride for India. It highlights the country’s growing contribution to global water governance and reinforces the idea that local, community-driven solutions can have global relevance. In an era when climate change and over-extraction are pushing the world toward water scarcity, his achievement sets a benchmark for future innovations and strengthens India’s voice in the international dialogue on sustainable water management. The story of Dr. Kulkarni is a reminder that real change begins at the grassroots level. His journey from working with rural communities in Maharashtra to receiving one of the world’s most respected water awards proves that science, when combined with empathy and collaboration, can transform societies.
