New Projects that have been initiated are:

• Exchange visits of BITS Alumni and Faculty and BGU/BIDR Faculty

  Several exchange visits of BITS Alumni and Faculty and BGU/BIDR Faculty have taken place. A Memorandum Of Understanding between the two institutions has been signed. In addition to exchange of ideas and expertise, joint projects are being undertaken. Some examples are:
  
  

  • A paper on rainwater harvesting implementation was presented at the recent International Water conference in Israel by Prof. Rajiv Gupta.
  • A joint study on Nomadic populations of Israel and India is being funded by BGU. Prof. Nirupama Prakash will be going to Israel during the coming summer for carrying out this study.

• Mehodology

  A technology driven systems approach integrating various disciplines will be followed in the project. Specifically, the following steps are identified:
  
  

  1. The drip irrigation systems currently in practice in the country will be studied and a comparative study of systems developed in Israel will also be undertaken.
  2. Prototype of a wireless sensor based drip irrigation system will be developed and field tested.
  3. A computer controlled intelligent water resource management network will be developed and tested.
  4. Rainwater harvesting structures and the sensor based irrigation and water management systems will be field tested in the Institute.
  5. Tissue culture and biotechnology techniques will be used for developing low water consuming plants, propagation of certain plant species, herbal plantation, etc. and the new system will be tested for irrigation needs of the plants.
  6. Operation and maintenance manual will be developed for the new system.
  7. Field demonstrations and training will be undertaken